Phaseolus lunatus cultivar:Bridgeton-DES4 Genome sequencing and assembly

The whole genome sequencing of the Phaseolus lunatus (lima bean) cultivar Bridgeton was conducted to facilitate breeding efforts by the University of Delaware's Lima Bean Breeding Program. The genome sequence of Bridgeton will be used to aid the breeding of disease resistance and yield traits among other biotic and abiotic factors that affect crop productivity in the state and surrounding growing areas in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. Within this study, minor gene resistance to downy mildew of lima bean caused by Phytophthora phaseoli was investigated. The newly sequenced genome of lima bean was used to characterize the genetic space that underlies minor gene resistance using families of lima bean derived from a cross between the Cypress and Jackson Wonder cultivars.