Phillip Miklas, Research Geneticist

The USDA-ARS Dry Bean Project at Prosser has been in existence since 1958, first under the tutelage of Drs. Doug Burke (1958-1988) and Matt Silbernagel (1966-1996), and now under the direction of Dr. Phil Miklas (1996-present). The project serves dry edible bean and snap bean growers and industries across the U.S. (CA, CO, ID, FL, MI, MN, ND, NE, OR, WA, WI and others) by breeding new bean lines and cultivars with improved resistance to diseases and abiotic stresses (heat, drought, low soil fertility). Research emphasis is on emerging and entrenched disease problems. Impact is higher yield and quality with fewer inputs. Research is conducted on developing improved bean production strategies with emphasis on reduction of chemicals for managing disease and stress problems.

Support personnel include:

Susan Swanson (Agricultural Science Technician) has the primary responsibility of managing field and greenhouse research trials and experiments; and Isadora Jiminez (Biological Science Technician) who runs the gene/genomic DNA laboratory.