This time around, however, the researchers are using the latest high-tech genetic analysis methods to analyse the genomes of the beans they are growing in the field. This historic research produced a collection of genetic resources upon which today’s scientists are now drawing. The last time scientists in the UK looked seriously at developing a British navy bean was during the 1980s at the National Vegetable Research Station, the forerunner of Warwick Crop Centre. "We hope in the near future to begin working in partnership with UK farmers to begin testing whether experimental lines are more suitable for bean production in British growing conditions." “Using next-generation DNA sequencing technologies, we will improve the ability of bean breeders to select new varieties by effectively providing a genetic roadmap for locating useful natural variation of desired genes in the bean genome. “A shortened growing season is most important as navy beans in the UK have to be harvested in September when it is still dry to avoid autumnal damp weather which causes them to discolour. Professor Eric Holub said: “The ultimate aim is to produce a navy bean which is less sensitive to cold soil in the spring, is resistant to common diseases that occur over the summer in the UK, and is also ready for harvest in early September.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is funding PhD student Andrew Tock’s project through a food security studentship at the University of Warwick Crop Centre, supervised by Professor Eric Holub and Dr Guy Barker.
This will lay the foundations for breeding new varieties that are better adapted for growing by British farmers. So scientists at the University of Warwick Crop Centre have launched a research project that will make use of the latest DNA sequencing technology to begin mapping the genes governing the traits that are needed for the navy bean to thrive in the UK climate. The main reason for this import dependence is the lack of available navy bean varieties that are adapted to growing in the UK environment. However, every single baked bean we eat is grown outside of the UK, with the majority imported from Canada. It is a staple of the British diet – we consume hundreds of millions of cans of baked beans in a year. The navy bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris) – also known as haricot bean – commonly ends up on our plates with a tomato-based sauce as baked beans. Scientists at the University of Warwick are using the latest DNA mapping techniques to allow British farmers to grow one of the UK’s favourite foods.
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