Pak, A New White Bean Cultivar Suitable for Mechanized Harvesting

White been line WA8592-1 was first introduced in Iran through the yield trail nurseries received fron CIAT in 1991. In observation nurseries carried out during 1992 and 1993 cropping seasons, ten bean populations were evaluated for yield and other characteristics, and 60 lines were selected. Preliminary and advanced yield trails carried out for six years (1995-2000) in four locations Khomein, Eghlid, Khorramabad and Zanjan resulted in selection of superior lines including WA8592-1. The average seed yield of this line was 2598 kgha-1 which was higher than that of the check cultivar, Daneshkadeh with 2541 kgha-1. The new line produced 2807 kgha-1 seed yield in farmers fields which was 17% higher than the yield of the local cultivar. In greenhouse and field experiments with artificial inoculations, line WA85592-1 was resistant to CMV, CYMV and BCMV. Based on the high compatability, high yield, erect plant type with intermediate growth habit (suitable for mechanized harvesting) and other good agronomic characteristics, it was officially registered by Agricultural Research, Education and Externsion Organization in 2009 as a new cultivar Pak, for cultivation in temperate and cold areas of Iran.