Garden bean cultivar H37115

#The present invention relates to a new and distinctive garden bean cultivar (Phaseolus vulgaris), designated H37115. All publications cited in this application are herein incorporated by reference.

#There are numerous steps in the development of any novel, desirable plant germplasm. Plant breeding begins with the analysis and definition of problems and weaknesses of the current germplasm, the establishment of program goals, and the definition of specific breeding objectives. The next step is selection of germplasm that possesses the traits to meet the program goals. The goal is to combine in a single variety an improved combination of desirable traits from the parental germplasm.

#In beans, these important traits may include fresh pod yield, higher seed yield, resistance to diseases and insects, better stems and roots, tolerance to drought and heat, and better agronomic quality. With mechanical harvesting of many crops, uniformity of the plants' characteristics, such as germination and stand establishment, growth rate, maturity, and plant height, is important.

#Garden bean cultivar H37115 has superior characteristics and was developed from an initial cross made in Sun Prairie, Wis. in a greenhouse in the fall of 2000. The cross was between two proprietary garden bean lines under stake numbers W5198 (female) and W5128 (male). The F1 generation was harvested in April 2001 from the Sun Prairie, Wis. greenhouse in plot W5628. The F2 selection was made in July 2001 at research grounds near Coloma, Wis. in plot H10543. The F3 selection was made in February 2002 at research grounds near Los Mochis, Mexico in plot M20887. The F4 selection was made in July 2002 at research grounds near Coloma, Wis. in plot H24610. The F5 selection was made in March 2003 at research grounds near Los Mochis, Mexico in plot M30389. The F6 selection was made in July 2003 at research grounds near Coloma, Wis. in plot H304839. The F7 generation was bulked in March 2004 at research grounds near Los Mochis, Mexico in plot M42092. The F8 generation was bulked in September 2004 at research grounds in San Juan Bautista (SJB), Calif. in plot C406309. The F9 generation was bulked in September 2005 at research grounds in SJB, Calif. in plot C506954. The F10 generation was bulked in September 2006 at research grounds in SJB, Calif. in plot C604119. The F11 generation was bulked in March 2007 at research grounds near Los Mochis, Mexico in plot M74501-520. The line was designated as H37115.

#Garden bean cultivar H37115 is similar to garden bean cultivar ‘Hystyle.’ While similar to garden bean cultivar ‘Hystyle,’ there are significant differences including garden bean cultivar H37115 has pods that are darker-green than the pods of garden bean cultivar ‘Hystyle.’ In addition, garden bean cultivar H37115 does not have the recessive “persistent green” gene contained in garden bean cultivar ‘Hystyle.’

#Garden bean cultivar H37115 is a 56-day, medium-maturity bean with uniform, dark green pods on an upright plant structure (habit). The pods are straight and smooth and are borne in the upper one-half of the plant. The majority of the pods are in the 4-5 sieves range. The leaves are medium in size with a medium dark green color. Garden bean cultivar H37115 is a determinate plant and is resistant to Bean Common Mosaic Virus (BCMV I-gene) and has intermediate resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv syringae (Bacterial brown spot), and Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola (Halo Blight).