Lynx’s track record as consistently the highest yielding spring bean on the PGRO Descriptive List (DL) – added to its very high Downy mildew resistance – makes it the mainstay for UK spring bean growers, returning once again to its top-of-list position for 2022.
Chris Guest, LS Plant Breeding Ltd (LSPB) Managing Director highlights the reasons for its continuing popularity with growers: “Its consistently high yields in trials and on farm are a major factor in this. The ‘106’ over control in the current DL continues a series of highest or near-highest yields over the seven years it has been on the PGRO list.
“I would also stress that there is more than yield to account for Lynx’s appeal to growers. The ‘7’ Downy mildew rating of Lynx against the current average for all the other DL Pale Hilum varieties of ‘4’ underlines the fact that nothing on the list beats it – except for the ‘8’ of LSPB’s spring bean Yukon – which has characteristics making an ideal variety for farmers in the north of England and Scotland.
“It is worth noting as well that the Downy mildew rating for Lynx has stayed as consistent as its yield with a ‘7’ or ‘8’ in every year since it gained recommendation.”
Chris Guest adds that Lynx is not a one-off success in spring bean breeding, it is part of LSPB’s wide and diverse portfolio of varieties on the PGRO DL including Ghengis with its early maturity, and Macho with its high thousand seed weight, both of which are close to Lynx in their yield levels.
“Fanfare and Vertigo spring beans continue on the list with high yields and good agronomic characteristics while, as mentioned, Yukon spring bean has the highest Downy mildew resistance rating and a high thousand seed weight as a benefit for all growers – with the earliest maturity on the DL an important plus for growers in the north of England and Scotland.
“To round off LSPB’s portfolio, our set of four LVC (low vicine/convicine) spring bean varieties, led by Victus, have low levels of these anti-nutritional factors allowing higher inclusion rates in pig and poultry diets with yields that are comparable to traditional types. “Looking to the future, we have a range of promising spring bean DL candidates in the pipeline – and also new winter beans already in official trials – to do our part in developing the UK pulse crop.”
