Use of Wild Relatives and Closely Related Species to Adapt Common Bean to Climate Change

Timothy Porch,Scott Jackson,Daniel Debouck,James Beaver,Hannes Dempewolf,James Kelly

doi:10.3390/agronomy3020433

Abstract

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important legume crop worldwide. However, abiotic and biotic stress limits bean yields to <600 kg ha−1 in low-income countries. Current low yields result in food insecurity, while demands for increased yields to match the rate of population growth combined with the threat of climate change are significant. Novel and significant advances in genetic improvement using untapped genetic diversity available in crop wild relatives and closely related species must be further explored. A meeting was organized by the Global Crop Diversity Trust to consider strategies for common bean improvement. This review resulted from that meeting and considers our current understanding of the genetic resources available for common bean improvement and the progress that has been achieved thus far through introgression of genetic diversity from wild relatives of common bean, and from closely related species, including: P. acutifolius, P. coccineus, P. costaricensis and P. dumosus. Newly developed genomic tools and their potential applications are presented. A broad outline of research for use of these genetic resources for common bean improvement in a ten-year multi-disciplinary effort is presented.

Highlights

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a key grain legume crop and a vital source of nutrition worldwide
This review provides a rationale for proposed research and considers common bean response to climate change, Phaseolus species resources and conservation, the current use of wild relatives and closely related species in breeding efforts, and available genomic tools
Sufficient background information has been developed to expedite the introgression of crop wild relatives (CWR) traits for common bean improvement

Summary

Introduction

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a key grain legume crop and a vital source of nutrition worldwide. U.S and Canada are about three times as high This yield gap results in food insecurity, and the need for novel sources or combinations of traits in common bean to increase potential productivity or reduce losses in low-input agriculture. Participants at the meeting represented international institutions, including: Global Crop Diversity Trust, Italy; INIFAP, UNAM, CINVESTAV, Mexico; CIAT, Colombia; U. of Guelph, U. of Saskatchewan, Canada; and the U. of Puerto Rico, U. of Georgia, Michigan State U., U. of Idaho, Agriculture Research Service (USDA), U. of Nebraska, and U. of California–Davis, all located in the U.S An important objective of the meeting was to determine how wild relatives and closely related species of cultivated Phaseolus species might be used for the introgression of unique sources of drought and heat tolerance with the potential to significantly increase yield potential under expected climate change scenarios

Results and Discussion

Climate Change

Genetic Resources and Conservation

Use of Wild Relatives and Closely Related Species in Common Bean Breeding

Future Breeding and Genomic Strategies for Use of CWR

Conclusions