2005 Annual Report 4a.What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? Dry edible beans are a major crop raised in North Dakota, and there may be substantial health benefits associated with consumption of beans. Moreover, beans raised in North Dakota may contain much higher concentrations of selenium, a nutrient that may help prevent cancer. Representative samples of harvested pinto beans obtained from more than 70 locations in five distinct geographical regions of North Dakota were analyzed for selenium and other major mineral elements. The average content of selenium was approximately 5-fold the U.S. average, but there was great variation, even within a small geographical area. Modeling procedures are being used to determine variables that may be predictive of selenium content; the project will be extended over a second growing season. 4b.List other significant accomplishments, if any. None 4c.List any significant activities that support special target populations. None 4d.Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a Trust Agreement number 04-5450-4-0418 between ARS and NortHarvest Bean Growers, Ltd. Additional details of the research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 5450-51000-035-00D. The purpose of this agreement is to determine factors that affect the accumulation of selenium in pinto beans.