Physical quality and mineral composition of new Mesoamerican bean lines developed for cultivation in Brazil

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate whether new common bean lines present differences in their physical quality and mineral composition traits; investigate correlations between those traits; and to select common bean lines for use in human nutrition and in breeding programs. Four experiments were carried out to examine 17 genotypes (cultivars and lines) of carioca beans (beige seed coat with brown streaks) and black beans, which represent the technological advances of six breeding programs in Brazil. A significant genotype × environment interaction was observed for all evaluated traits, except for potassium concentration. Most physical quality traits were correlated with each other (r ≥ 0.848), and almost all evaluated pairs of minerals exhibited a positive correlation with each other (r ≥ 0.609). Indirect selection based on the highest values for normal grains and uptake is efficient for identifying fast-cooking common bean lines, and it is possible to select mineral-biofortified common bean lines. The LP 09-33 and LEC 01-16 carioca bean lines and the TB 03-11 and CHP 01-182-48 black bean lines present high physical quality and better mineral composition, and their use in human nutrition and in breeding programs is therefore recommended.