Morphoagronomic characterization and genetic diversity of a common bean RIL mapping population derived from the cross...

Area of Science:

• Plant genetics
• Agronomy
• Quantitative genetics

Background:

• Recombinant inbred lines (RILs) are essential for genetic linkage map construction.
• Genetic variability within RILs is critical for associating molecular markers with agronomic traits.
• Understanding genetic diversity in common bean is vital for crop improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the genetic diversity of a common bean RIL population.
• To assess genetic variability for seven quantitative traits in 393 RILs.
• To evaluate the potential for genetic mapping and quantitative trait locus (QTL) identification.

Main Methods:

• Developed a common bean RIL population using single seed descent from a cross between Mesoamerican (Rudá) and Andean (AND 277) gene pools.
• Evaluated seven quantitative traits in 393 RILs, parental lines, and control cultivars under field conditions using a randomized block design.
• Analyzed genetic diversity and population structure using Tocher's method.

Main Results:

• Significant differences (P < 0.01) were observed among RILs for all evaluated traits.
• Significant differences between RILs and parental lines were found for days to flowering (DFL), days to harvest (DH), productivity (PROD), and mass of 100 beans (M100).
• Additive x additive epistatic interactions were indicated for DFL, DH, PROD, and M100, with 10 distinct genetic clusters identified.

Conclusions:

• The common bean RIL population possesses substantial genetic variability for important agronomic traits.
• This variability is essential for future genetic mapping and QTL analyses in common bean.
• The identified epistatic interactions provide insights into the genetic architecture of quantitative traits.