This is an ardp applied research (single function) project which addresses one cppm focus area: plant protection tools and tactics

The University of Delaware received a $235,000 project grant awarded September 1, 2025, through the Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM) Competitive Grants Program (CFDA 10.329), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This Applied Research project, in collaboration with Cornell University, addresses inadequate disease management tools for lima beans by developing and testing new disease-resistant cultivars and agronomic practices. Deliverables include evaluation of University of Delaware-developed lima bean cultivars for resistance or tolerance to white mold and tan spot, assessment of upright plant architecture cultivars for avoidance of pod rot and brown bean diseases, and field surveys and controlled trials to determine whether no-till planting after small grain harvest provides disease suppression. The project period extends through August 31, 2028.

The project team will translate research findings into practical resources for end-users through grower and processor engagement activities, including extension newsletter articles, annual grower meetings, and lima bean disease management field days. Additionally, the University of Delaware's lima bean breeding program will collaborate with seed suppliers to commercialize resistant cultivars and make them available to growers and processors. These activities directly address climate change-related challenges, as large-volume rain events are increasing the frequency and severity of lima bean diseases that current fungicide and crop rotation management strategies fail to adequately control.

Currently available lima bean disease management tools (fungicides and crop rotation) fail to provide adequate control of several diseases, especially when lima beans are impacted by large volume rain events, which are becoming more frequent because of climate change. Researchers at university of delaware (UD) and cornell university will test new lima bean cultivars developed at UD for resistance or tolerance to white mold and TAN spot. The project team will also evaluate the use of new UD cultivars with upright plant architecture for avoidance of POD ROT and brown bean, two diseases that reduce lima bean yield and quality. Some growers are planting lima bean in no-till management systems. Surveys of grower fields and controlled trials will be used to determine if no-till planting after small grain harvest provides disease suppression in lima bean. The project team will present research findings to growers and processors throughout the project and develop/revise lima bean disease management recommendations based on research results. Stakeholders will be engaged in the project through articles in extension newsletters, annual grower meetings and lima bean disease management field days. The UD lima breeding program will work with collaborating seed suppliers to make resistant cultivars available to growers and processors.