Dr. Steadman's research area is the epidemiology and control of diseases of beans and other vegetables. Two fungal diseases of beans, white mold, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and rust, Uromyces appendiculatus, offer challenges relative to genetic resistance. A unique control concept termed microclimate modification wherein the plant canopy architecture can be restructured to preclude microenvironment (leaf or blossom) conditions which favor the white mold fungus is being integrated with breeding strategies. Resistance to rust which is nonspecific for biotype and related to leaf hairs, is a major part of an international project. Epidemiology leading to management of disease resistance and integrated pest management in semi-arid and tropical locations is the overall program emphasis.