Registration of ‘Zenith’ Black Bean

‘Zenith’ black bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) (Reg. No. CV‐307, PI 673047), developed by Michigan State University AgBioResearch, was released in 2014 as an upright, full‐season cultivar with anthracnose [caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum(Sacc. et Magnus) Lams.‐Scrib] resistance and excellent canning quality. Zenith was developed using pedigree breeding method to the F4generation followed by pure line selection for disease, agronomic, and quality traits. In 4 yr of field trials, Zenith yielded 3078 kg ha−1, flowered in 45 d, and matured in 100 d on average. Plants averaged 53 cm in height, with lodging resistance score of 1.4 and seed weight of 21.7 g 100 seed−1. Zenith combines high yield potential with erect architecture and full‐season maturity in a black seed type. Zenith has resistance to lodging and high pod placement within plant structure, making it suitable for direct harvest under narrow‐row production systems. The upright architecture also contributes to avoidance of white mold [caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum(Lib.) de Bary], a disease that is intensified by narrow‐row production systems. Zenith is resistant to race 73 of anthracnose, susceptible to rust race 22:2 [caused by Uromyces appendiculatus(Pers.:Pers.) Unger], and sensitive to strain NL 3 of Bean common mosaic necrosis virus. Zenith produces seed that meets industry standards for export and packaging and was rated highest in canned bean color in the black bean seed class.