Parthiba Balasubramanian, Ph.D.

Research Scientist (Dry Bean Breeding)

Develop dry bean cultivars that combine high yield with early maturity, lodging resistance, enhanced disease resistance (white mould and bacterial diseases) and seed quality (size, shape, colour and colour retention) traits for commercial production under irrigated conditions in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Lethbridge, AB

Current research and/or projects

Principal Investigator

1. Selection for disease resistance in early maturing dry bean lines for Alberta.

2. Identification of dry bean lines in Ontario and the Prairies with improved canning and cooking quality traits.

3. Development of high yielding dry bean cultivars with disease resistance and seed quality.

4. Dry bean cultivars for southern AB and SK: Development of pinto bean and yellow bean cultivars with high yield and seed quality.

Research and/or project statements

1. Dry bean is the fourth largest pulse crop grown in Canada after pea, lentil and chickpea. Canada is the third largest exporter of dry bean in the World with more than 75% of the production being exported to other countries. Dry bean is a high value crop as it is primarily consumed as food. In Ontario and Manitoba, dry bean is grown under dryland (120 frost-free days), and in Alberta and Saskatchewan, dry bean is grown under both irrigation and dryland with 100 to 105 frost-free days.

2. Research mandate and projects address all four of the AAFC’s Strategic Objectives of Cereals and Pulses sector, i) high yielding cultivars with early maturity and disease resistance contribute to increased agricultural productivity; ii) disease resistant cultivars contribute to enhanced environmental performance through reduced use of chemicals; iii) cultivars with preferred visual seed quality, and improved cooking and canning quality contribute to improved attributes for food uses; and iv) development of disease resistant cultivars and management of diseases contribute to addressing threats to agriculture and agri-food value chain.

Education and awards

Education

B.Sc. (Agiculture), Annamalai University, India (1995)

M.Sc., Plant Breeding, University of Saskatchewan (1998)

Ph.D. Plant Breeding, University of Saskatchewan (2002)

Awards

2016 Gold Harvest Award for Innovation, Collaboration and Service Excellence (AAFC)

2010 Most Outstanding Reviewer (Canadian Journal of Plant Science)

2018 Most Outstanding Reviewer (Canadian Journal of Plant Science)

Key publications

Balasubramanian, P.M., Conner, R.L., McLaren, D.L., Chatterton, S., Hou, A. (2014). Partial resistance to white mould in dry bean. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, [online] 94(4), 683-691. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJPS2013-312
2014 - View publication details
McLaren, D.L., Henriquez, M.A., Conner, R.L., Balasubramanian, P.M., and Chang, K.F. (2013). "Root rot of pulses in Manitoba.", Manitoba Special Crops 7th Symposium, Victoria Inn and Convention Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, February 6-7, 2013.
2013 - View publication details
Hou, A., Conner, R.L., Balasubramanian, P.M., and Boersma, J.G. (2013). "Black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) germplasm rich in anthracnose resistance.", Bean Improvement Cooperatives, Portland, OR, USA, October 28-30, 2013. (Poster)
2013 - View publication details
Henriquez, M.A., McLaren, D.L., Conner, R.L., Balasubramanian, P.M., Chang, K.F., Hwang, S.F., and Strelkov, S.E. (2013). "Root rot disease caused by Fusarium cuneirostrum in dry bean in Canada.", 84rd Annual Meeting of the Canadian Phytopathological Society (CPS), Matrix Hotel, Edmonton, AB, Canada, June 16-19, 2013.
2013 - View publication details
Boersma, J.G., Conner, R.L., Balasubramanian, P.M., Yu, K., Hou, A. (2013). Marker-assisted dissection of anthracnose resistance in the dry bean cultivar Morden003. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, [online] 93(6), 1115-1123. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJPS2013-085
2013 - View publication details
Larney, F.J., Pearson, D.C., Blackshaw, R.E., Lupwayi, N.Z., Regitnig, P.J., and Balasubramanian, P.M. (2012). "Irrigated crop rotation research: Findings from the Vauxhall rotation study over 12 years (2000-11).", 2012 Irrigated Crop Production Update Conference, Lethbridge, AB, Canada, January 31-February 1, 2012. (Abstract)
2012 - View publication details
Boersma, J.G., Conner, R.L., Balasubramanian, P.M., Navabi, A., Yu, K., and Hou, A. (2012). "Pyramiding resistance to common bacterial blight, anthracnose and bean common mosaic virus in dry bean.", 9th Canadian Pulse Research Workshop, Niagara Falls Marriott Gateway, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, November 6-12, 2012, Poster.
2012 - View publication details
Balasubramanian, P.M., Chatterton, S., Hou, A., Conner, R.L., McLaren, D.L., Navabi, A., Pauls, K.P., and Bett, K.E. (2012). "Dry bean improvement on the prairies for high yield, disease resistance and seed quality.", Pulse Science Cluster Scientific Meeting 2012, Niagara Falls Marriott Gateway, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, November 5-6, 2012.
2012 - View publication details
Henriquez, M.A., McLaren, D.L., Conner, R.L., Balasubramanian, P.M., and Chang, K.F. (2012). "Fusarium species from dry bean and field pea in Manitoba.", 9th Canadian Pulse Research Workshop, Niagara Falls Marriott Gateway, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, November 6-12, 2012, pp. 6.
2012 - View publication details
Balasubramanian, P.M., Conner, R.L., McLaren, D.L., Chatterton, S., and Hou, A. (2012). "Development of dry bean cultivars with resistance to white mold. Oral presentation.", 9th Canadian Pulse Research Workshop, Niagara Falls Marriott Gateway, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, November 6-12, 2012, Oral presentation.
2012 - View publication details
Henriquez, M.A., McLaren, D.L., Conner, R.L., Balasubramanian, P.M., and Chang, K.F. (2012). "Root rot pathogens in dry bean and field pea fields in Manitoba.", Canadian Phytopathological Society (CPS) Manitoba Regional 2012 Meeting, Brandon, MB, Canada, November 29, 2012, Published in: Can. J. Plant Pathol. (2013), 35(2), pp. 270.
2012 - View publication details
Boersma, J.G., Conner, R.L., Balasubramanian, P.M., Yu, K., and Hou, A. (2012). "Molecular marker-assisted dissection of anthracnose resistance in the common dry bean cultivar, ‘morden003’.", 9th Canadian Pulse Research Workshop, Niagara Falls Marriott Gateway, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, November 6-12, 2012, Poster.
2012 - View publication details
Larney, F.J., Pearson, D.C., Blackshaw, R.E., Lupwayi, N.Z., and Balasubramanian, P.M. (2012). "Irrigated dry bean response to cropping history and soil management practices in southern Alberta.", 9th Canadian Pulse Research Workshop, Niagara Falls Marriott Gateway, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, November 6-12, 2012. (Abstract)
2012 - View publication details
Balasubramanian, P.M., Mündel, H.H., Conner, R.L., Hou, A. (2012). AAC Tundra great northern dry bean. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, [online] 92(7), 1403-1405. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJPS2012-066
2012 - View publication details
Hou, A., Conner, R.L., and Balasubramanian, P.M. (2011). "Dry bean breeding research.", Pulse Beat, 2011(64), pp. 38.
2011 - View publication details
Akter, Z., Lupwayi, N.Z., and Balasubramanian, P.M. (2011). "Nitrogen-use efficiency and biological nitrogen fixation of dry beans.", 49th Annual Alberta Soil Science Workshop, Ramada Inn, Edmonton, AB, Canada, February 14-16, 2012. (Abstract)
2011 - View publication details
Akter, Z., Lupwayi, N.Z., and Balasubramanian, P.M. (2011). "Nitrogen-use efficiency and biological nitrogen fixation of dry beans.", Pulse Science Cluster Scientific Meeting 2011, Radisson Hotel, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, November 17-18, 2011. (Abstract)
2011 - View publication details
Hou, A., Balasubramanian, P.M., and Conner, R.L. (2011 Internal). Dry Bean Breeding Annual Report (submitted to the Manitoba Pulse Growers Association (MPGA))., Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)/Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada (AAC). (Report)
2011 - View publication details
Boersma, J.G., Conner, R.L., Balasubramanian, P.M., Gillard, C.L., and Hou, A. (2011). "Evaluation of dry bean lines for resistance to common bacterial blight.", Plant Canada 2011, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS, Canada, July 17-21, 2011.
2011 - View publication details
Larney, F.J., Pearson, D.C., Blackshaw, R.E., Lupwayi, N.Z., Regitnig, P.J., and Balasubramanian, P.M. (2011). "Dry bean performance in the Vauxhall irrigated rotation study over 12 growing seasons (2000-11).", Pulse Science Cluster Scientific Meeting 2011, Radisson Hotel, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, November 17-18, 2011. (Abstract)
2011 - View publication details