Developing strategies to alleviate heat stress-induced flower abortion and prevent yield losses in fine and runner beans for commercial growers and for small-holder farmers in Kenya.

气候模型预测，到2020年，非洲主要作物的产量将下降8%，到2050年将下降10-20%。温度升高，加上灌溉用水减少，将成为细豆和流豆生产的主要威胁。需要新的品种和改良的种植方法来提高对综合压力的适应能力。Vegpro（肯尼亚）有限公司（VP）是优质和毛豆的主要出口商，在雇佣了8000名当地工人的商业农场和肯尼亚各地5000个外向型种植基地种植。在炎热干燥的月份（1 -3月、7 - 9月），高温和干旱胁迫的结合可使产量降低20-30%，由于目前的缓解策略不一致且无效，由于未能达到商业产品规格，总体损失可达50-60%。VP每年损失的收入估计为860万英镑，对于VP的5000名外向型种植者来说，每年损失33%的收入是司空见惯的。我们将开发创新的实用解决方案，在高温和干旱联合胁迫下，将植物生产力提高20%，减少40%的浪费，为联盟和VP的种植者每年带来660万英镑的额外收入。项目产出将加速气候变化下大小型农场的可持续集约化，增加当地粮食和就业保障，改善福祉和社会和谐。

Climate models predict that yields of major crops in Africa will decline by up to 8% by 2020 and 10-20% by 2050. Higher temperatures, exacerbated by decreasing water availability for irrigation, will become the primary threat to fine and runner bean production. New varieties and improved growing practices that increase resilience to combined stresses are needed. Vegpro (Kenya) Ltd (VP) are a major exporter of fine and runner beans, grown both on commercial farms that employ 8,000 local workers, and on 5,000 outgrower sites across Kenya. In hot dry months (Jan-March, July-Sept), a combination of heat and drought stress can reduce yields by 20-30%, and since current mitigation strategies are inconsistent and ineffective, overall losses can reach 50-60% due to a failure to meet commercial product specifications. Lost revenue to VP is estimated at £8.6M p.a., and for VP's 5,000 outgrowers, losses of 33% of annual income are commonplace. We will develop innovative practical solutions that improve plant productivity by 20% and reduce waste by 40% under combined heat and drought stress, generating additional income for the consortium and VP’s outgrowers of £6.6M p.a.. Project outputs will accelerate sustainable intensification on large- and small-holder farms in a changing climate, increasing local food and job security, and improving well-being and social harmony.