Research strategies and projections: 1986-1990. Commodity programs: Bean program

Actual accomplishments and future plans of the CIAT Bean Program during the period 1986-90 are described. The major cropping systems studied include bush beans in monoculture; bush, semiclimbing, and climbing beans in relay systems with maize; bush beans in association with maize; and climbing beans in association with maize. The main constraints to increased production are related with diseases, pests, physiological problems, and soils. General strategies for the achievement of the bean program's goals are discussed; they are based on the genetic improvement of germplasm and the training of national program scientists to develop collaborative research networks. Staffing needs and the kind of research required are given on each of the following areas: plant breeding, pathology, physiology, virology, entomology, economics, cropping systems agronomy, agronomy/soil science, international trials, soil microbiology, and program leader. Furthermore, regional staffing requirements and the justification of such positions are given for Central America and the Caribbean, Brazil and the Southern Cone, Eastern and Southern Africa, and West Asia-North Africa. Emphasis is given to bilateral arrangements and the development of collaborative research with basic research institutions. (CIAT)