The BOENLE project focuses on screening accessions and varieties of Vigna species and runner beans for cultivation in Germany. The project is structured in two stages, with work package 1 covering coordination, knowledge transfer, and public relations in all project phases.

In project years 1 to 3, work package 2 will initially involve a detailed screening and comprehensive characterization of gene bank origins and commercially varieties to identify suitable genotypes of the five species for cultivation in Germany.

Starting in the second year of the project, work package 3 will involve the cultivation of suitable genotypes and varieties, the testing of agronomically important characteristics in connection with different sowing times, and investigations into heat and drought stress in more extensive field trials at different locations. If these trials are successful, work package 3 will be continued in project years 4 and 5 and expanded to include new questions and trial approaches as needed. At the end of the first project phase, crops that are not suitable for cultivation in Germany will be excluded from further work if necessary.

In work package 4, the accessions and varieties selected in work package 1 will be examined for their nutritional properties.

Work package 5 consists of a potential analysis of crops for cultivation in Germany and defines breeding objectives.

Together with practical partners along the value chain, work package 6 discusses the characteristics of the screened accessions and tested varieties and cultivates and tastes them in practical trials (especially in project phase II).

In the last two years of the project, information on the characteristics and origins of varieties and accessions adapted to German conditions will be discussed with breeding companies and breeding objectives will be specified.