Registration of ‘Eldorado’ Pinto Bean

Abstract

‘Eldorado’ (Reg. No. CV‐302, PI 665012) pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), which was developed by Michigan State University AgBioResearch, was released in 2012 as an upright, full‐season, disease‐resistant cultivar. Eldorado, tested as MSU breeding line P07863, was developed using the single‐seed‐descent breeding method to the F4 generation followed by pedigree selection for disease, agronomic, and quality traits. In 5 yr of field trials, Eldorado yielded 3364 kg ha−1, flowered in 42 d, and matured in 98 d. Plants averaged 53 cm in height, with a lodging‐resistance score of 1.9 and a seed size of 43 g 100 seed−1. Eldorado combines exceptional yield potential and erect architecture with full‐season maturity in the pinto seed type. Eldorado has resistance to lodging and high pod placement within the plant structure, making it suitable for direct harvest under narrow‐row production systems. The upright architecture also contributes to avoidance of white mold [caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary], a disease intensified by narrow‐row production systems. In irrigated trials designed to promote the development of white mold disease, Eldorado had 30% incidence over 5 yr compared with other pinto cultivars that had from 42 to 72% white mold incidence. Eldorado possesses resistance to specific races of rust, virus, and anthracnose. Eldorado has a large, mottled, dry‐bean seed that meets industry standards for packaging and canning quality in the pinto bean seed class.