BeanGPT Uses Data and AI to Develop Better Dry Bean Varieties
Researchers at the University of Guelph developed BeanGPT, an artificial intelligence is helping transform crop development, and a new dry bean variety may soon bring major benefits to farmers. Researchers have created an AI-supported breeding platform called BeanGPT that helps identify the best bean varieties for specific growing conditions.
The platform combines information from more than 314,000 scientific studies and decades of bean breeding research. By analyzing large amounts of data, BeanGPT can recommend the most promising plant crosses based on factors such as soil type, weather conditions, crop performance, and disease risks.
“There was so much valuable information already here that we weren’t accessing,” said Dr. Mohsen Yoosefzadeh Najafabadi, who leads the Dry Bean Breeding and Computational Biology Program in the Ontario Agricultural College. “It allowed us to develop an actual memory for the program.”
This technology helps breeders make faster and more informed decisions. Instead of evaluating thousands of possible crosses, researchers can narrow their focus to a few of the strongest candidates. This saves time, reduces costs, and improves the efficiency of the breeding process.
One of the first beans developed with support from the platform is being described as a “super bean.” The new variety was bred over several generations and offers higher yields along with stronger resistance to disease. Researchers tested different market classes, including navy, black, kidney, and cranberry beans, to develop improved genetics.
Although artificial intelligence guided the selection process, the bean itself was created through traditional crossbreeding methods. AI did not create the plant directly but helped researchers determine which crosses had the highest potential for success.
Dry beans are an important food source because they provide protein, fiber, iron, and other nutrients. They also store well and can contribute to livestock feed production through the use of plant materials that are not consumed by humans.
Researchers believe innovations like BeanGPT can strengthen agricultural productivity, improve crop quality, and support food security. As climate challenges and market pressures continue to affect agriculture, technologies that help develop stronger and more reliable crops could play an important role in the future of farming.
Photo Credit: UofG - Beans in field