Purple Pod Research Articles

Phenotypic Variability for Leaf and Pod Color within the Snap Bean Association Panel

The color of vegetables is an important factor in consumer food choices and in cultivar choice by growers and processors for production. In absorbing a broad spectrum of light, leaves support plant development by influencing factors such as biomass accumulation, chlorophyll content, and reproductive growth. The edible organ of the snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the pod, and its color is not only one of the most important traits for commercial consideration, but also influences phytonutrient content. Although chlorophyll provides the base color, other compounds such as carotenoids and flavonoids may affect leaf and pod color. Darker yellow- or blue-green pods are preferred for processing, but there is more leeway for fresh market, with lighter-colored pods being acceptable. This research characterized leaf and pod color variation in the 378-member Snap Bean Association Panel. Leaf and pod colors were measured with a colorimeter using the L*a*b* scale, which was then transformed to L* (lightness), C* (chroma), and H° (hue angle) for analysis. Both green and wax bean accessions had predominantly green leaves, even though both exterior and interior colors of pods varied by accession. The leaves at the upper level in the canopy were lighter than lower and middle-level leaves. C* of leaves was similar across environments but leaves from the field were greener than leaves of greenhouse-grown plants when converted to Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) values, even though they had similar H°. L* did not differ for corresponding leaf positions of both field and greenhouse leaves. Purple pods were darker (lowest L*) and yellow pods were lighter (highest L*). Although wax beans had similar exterior and interior colors, accessions with purple exterior of pods had green interiors. Green pods were generally two times higher for L* and lower in C* compared with leaves. Pod interior L* was darker than exterior in both years. Pod exterior L* was not significantly different among accessions, whereas pod interior L* differed significantly between years. Broad sense heritabilities ranged from 0.69 to 0.88 for L*, 0.12 to 0. 87 for C*, and 0.81 to 0.89 for H°. Although greater variation was observed in pods than leaves, lower heritability was determined. Moderate correlations between leaf L* and the interior and exterior pod L* implies that it would be possible to select for pod color on the basis of leaf color, with verification using standard cultivars.

Genome-Wide Association Study to Identify Possible Candidate Genes of Snap Bean Leaf and Pod Color.

Color can be an indicator of plant health, quality, and productivity, and is useful to researchers to understand plant nutritional content in their studies. Color may be related to chlorophyll content and photosynthetic activity and provides information for those studying diseases and mineral nutrition because every nutrient deficiency and many diseases produce symptoms that affect color. In order to identify significant loci related to both leaf and pod color in a snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) diversity panel, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was carried out. Leaf color in one and pod traits in multiple environments were characterized using a colorimeter. L*a*b* color data were recorded and used to calculate chroma (C*) and hue angle (H°). Leaves were evaluated at three positions (lower, middle, and upper) in the canopy and both pod exterior and interior colors were obtained. GWAS was conducted using two reference genomes that represent the Andean (G19833) and Middle American (5-593) domestication centers. Narrow sense heritabilities were calculated using the mixed linear model (MLM) method in genome association and prediction integrated tool (GAPIT), and significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for each color parameter were obtained using the Bayesian-information and linkage-disequilibrium iteratively nested keyway (BLINK) GWAS model with two principal components (PCAs). In comparison to pod color traits, narrow sense heritabilities of leaf traits were low and similar for both reference genomes. Generally, narrow sense heritability for all traits was highest in the lower, followed by middle, and then upper leaf positions. Heritability for both pod interior and exterior color traits was higher using the G19833 reference genome compared to 5-593 when evaluated by year and means across years. Forty-five significant SNPs associated with leaf traits and 872 associated with pods, totaling 917 significant SNPs were identified. Only one SNP was found in common for both leaf and pod traits on Pv03 in the 5-593 reference genome. One-hundred thirteen significant SNPs, 30 in leaves and 83 in pods had phenotypic variation explained (PVE) of 10% or greater. Fourteen SNPs (four from G19833 and ten from 5-593) with ≥10 PVE%, large SNP effect, and largest p-value for L* and H° pod exterior was identified on Pv01, Pv02, Pv03, and Pv08. More SNPs were associated with pod traits than with leaf traits. The pod interior did not exhibit colors produced by anthocyanins or flavonols which allowed the differentiation of potential candidate genes associated with chloroplast and photosynthetic activity compared to the pod exterior where candidate genes related to both flavonoids and photosynthesis affected color. Several SNPs were associated with known qualitative genes including the wax pod locus (y), persistent color (pc), purple pods (V), and two genes expressed in seeds but not previously reported to affect other plant tissues (B and J). An evaluation of significant SNPs within annotated genes found a number, within a 200 kb window, involved in both flavonoid and photosynthetic biosynthetic pathways.

Construction of a high-density genetic map for yardlong bean and identification of ANT1 as a regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis.

Because its long, tender pods supply essential proteins, vitamins, and fibers to humans, yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis) is a commonly consumed vegetable, especially in Southeast Asia. To provide insights into the genetic bases of key agricultural traits in yardlong bean, we here created a high-density bin-map with 2084 bin markers using 514 227 SNPs from a recombinant-inbred line (RIL) population. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping was carried out to identify loci associated with anthocyanin content (ANT), vitamin E content (VE), total soluble protein content (TSP), pod length (PL), hundred-seed weight (HSW), seed length and width (SL and SW, respectively), and seed coat color (SCC). In total, 20 related QTLs were isolated, explaining 7.58-56.03% of the phenotypic variation. Of these, five major QTLs (qANT5, qTSP11, qVE7, qPL3, and qSCC9) were detected in 2020, 2021, and the combined environment, explaining 11.96-56.03% of the phenotypic variation. VuANT1 was identified as a causal gene for the QTL qANT5, which regulated anthocyanin content; VuANT1 was highly expressed in immature purple pods but barely detectable in white pods. VuANT1 overexpression in tobacco leaves and yardlong bean hairy roots resulted in purple coloration as a result of anthocyanin accumulation. These findings suggested that VuANT1 was a key regulator of anthocyanin accumulation in yardlong bean. Our results lay a firm foundation for target agricultural trait improvement and clarification of the genetic mechanisms underlying agricultural traits in yardlong bean.

Yield Components of Red Yardlong Bean Pod Genotypes (Vigna unguiculata (L.) ssp. sesquipedalis)

One of the legume plants with development potential is the yardlong bean. Because they have a high anthocyanin content, yardlong bean red pods are crucial for maintaining human health. There are multiple red-purple pod lines as a result of the crossing of the two parents purple pod and green pod. The purpose of this study was to assess the yield component of bean lines that were thirteen yards long. The study was carried out in Tembalang, Semarang, Central Java’s Agrotechno Park. Using genotype as the only component, the experiment used a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Agronomic characteristics such as harvesting time, number of pods, pod weight, length, number of seeds per pod, and weight of 1000 seeds were observed. The result showed that one genotype from F7 generation FPT A 3-4-10-1 had superior characters compared to the cultivar check in harvesting time, the number of pods, pod weight, and the number of seeds per pod. The agronomic characters that has been characterized can be may be used as potential donors for future hybridization programs to develop superior yard long bean variety with good yield components.

Identification of Secondary Metabolite Compounds in Two Varieties of Young Winged Beans (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus L.) at Two Harvest Ages

The winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus L.) is a member of the Fabaceae family (beans). Winged bean is developed as a vegetable, and young winged bean pods can be consumed fresh, steamed, fried, or pickled. In Southeast Asia, winged bean pods are generally cooked or consumed as side dishes or salad. Winged bean contains high protein content equivalent to soybean seed. Besides being rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, the winged bean also has secondary metabolites, including phenolics and flavonoids. This study aimed to identify secondary metabolites in young pods of two varieties, “Fairuz” and “Sandi”, at two different harvest ages of 8 and 10 days after anthesis (DAA) and provide the biological activity on each identified compound. The experiment was conducted at the IPB experimental field at Leuwikopo, Bogor, from September 2020 to February 2021. The identification of secondary metabolites of the young green pods “Fairuz”, and the young purple pods “Sandi”, was performed using the GCMS method at the Regional Health Laboratory (KESDA) DKI Jakarta. The results of the GCMS analysis showed that 1,2-enzenedicarboxylic acid, mono(2-Ethylhexyl) ester was the most abundant compound identified from pods harvested at 8 DAA in both varieties, namely 42.26% in “Fairuz” and 26.66% in “Sandi”. Other compounds, 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, ethyl ester, (Z, Z, Z) (Linoleic acid ester), were found in “Fairuz”, whereas (9E,12E)-9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Linoleic acid) was found in “Sandi”; these compounds are hydroxyl group and phenolic glucoside compounds and are found in pods harvested at 10 DAA.

Identification of the Antioxidant Compounds in Pisum sativum L. with Purple Pods and the Effect of Various Cooking Methods on their Activities

Identification of the Antioxidant Compounds in <i>Pisum sativum</i> L. with Purple Pods and the Effect of Various Cooking Methods on their Activities

Colorful science: purple bean pods and dazzling white paint that cools

Colorful science: purple bean pods and dazzling white paint that cools

Development of SNP-based high-density genetic map and gene mapping of pod colour trait in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.)

ABSTRACT The colour of fresh pods is one of the most important traits that affects the commercial value of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) beans. To investigate the genetic architecture, we firstly scored the fresh pod colour of cowpea for six generations in field trials. Afterwards, an F2 population of 150 recombinant individuals was derived from crosses between two high-generation inbred cowpea lines, ‘Baojia’ (green pod colour, P1) and ‘Qilong’ (purple pod colour, P2). Ahigh-density genetic map based on 9,493 single nucleotide polymorphisms was constructed through SLAF sequencing and used for gene/s mapping of pod colour trait. We observed 59 single nucleotide polymorphism markers in one candidate gene region that may be associated with fresh pod colour trait located on LG6. The locus of pc was confirmed on chromosome 5 of the cowpea genome, which was corresponded to the genes encoding anthocyanin 5-aromatic acyltransferase and MYB-90 and MYB-114 domain proteins, that play important roles in the anthocyanin biosynthesis. Lastly, dCAPS markers were developed that explained the high rate of identification for the phenotypes of the F2 population. This study provides new knowledge of the genomic regions and will accelerate the genetic improvements, regarding the fresh pod colour (pc) trait in cowpea and marker-assisted selection.

EVALUASI AKHIR GALUR HARAPAN KACANG PANJANG (Vigna sesquipedalis L. Fruwirth) POLONG UNGU

A Final Evaluation Of Expected Lines Of Yardlong Bean (Vigna sesquipedalis L. Fruwirth) With Purple Pods. Evaluation toward expected lines yardlong bean purple pod ability conducted to obtain lines which have superiority in yield, yiled components and other traits. Evaluation was done by analyzed adaptation and stability test. Research towards 6 lines was conducted at 6 different locations based on altitude (the middle land and low land), condition areas (rainfall and temperature) as well as the conditions of cultivation (with and without mulch application). Adaptation and stability test provides information related to lines response of environmental condition for recommended cultivation on specific or all types environment. The results showed superiority pod weight per hectare of BU 1 (9,18 t ha-1) followed by BU 6 (8,81 t ha-1) and BU 4 (6,88 t ha-1). Those lines were broadly adaptive for all types of environments. Lines that adaptive in spesific environment, BU 2 (8,03 t ha-1) produced optimal yield on marginal environment, while BU 5 (10,03 t ha-1) adaptive at productive environment. Based on lines description, all lines have superiority of purple pod colored and specifically BU 3 had highest anthocyanins content.

Identification of Candidate Genes Controlling Black Seed Coat and Pod Tip Color in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp).

Seed coat color is an important part of consumer preferences for cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp). Color has been studied in numerous crop species and has often been linked to loci controlling the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. This study makes use of available resources, including mapping populations, a reference genome, and a high-density single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping platform, to map the black seed coat and purple pod tip color traits, with the gene symbol Bl, in cowpea. Several gene models encoding MYB domain protein 113 were identified as candidate genes. MYB domain proteins have been shown in other species to control expression of genes encoding enzymes for the final steps in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. PCR analysis indicated that a presence/absence variation of one or more MYB113 genes may control the presence or absence of black pigment. A PCR marker has been developed for the MYB113 gene Vigun05g039500, a candidate gene for black seed coat color in cowpea.

IN VIVO MULTISTEP MUTAGENESIS INDUCTION USING COLCHICINE ON COWPEA MUTANT 1 (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

In the previous research, we obtained three catagories of M1 mutant cowpea namely 1) purple pod mutant cowpea, 2) green pod mutant cowpea which has three pods in a stalk, and 3) green pod mutant cowpea which has two pods in a stalk. All those three catagories of M1 mutant cowpeas were treated again with colchicine in a multistep mutagenesis proses in vivo. Then, we found changes in number of leaflet in a petiole to 4 leaflets (quadrifoliate) and to five leaflets in a petiole (pentafoliate). These changes are indications that beside as a chromosome multipying alkaloid, colchicine causes other genetic changes as well. Through this mutagenesis research, we created gigas mutant cowpea that having longer leaves, longer pods and heavier seeds. The accurrence of two kinds of insect pests attack were found namely cowpea aphid Aphis craccivora and pod sucking bug Riptortus linearis.

Anthocyanins and flavonols are responsible for purple color of Lablab purpureus (L.) sweet pods

Lablab pods, as dietary vegetable, have high nutritional values similar to most of edible legumes. Moreover, our studies confirmed that purple lablab pods contain the natural pigments of anthocyanins and flavonols. Compared to green pods, five kinds of anthocyanins (malvidin, delphinidin and petunidin derivatives) were found in purple pods by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and the major contents were delphinidin derivatives. Besides, nine kinds of polyphenol derivatives (quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol and apigenin derivatives) were detected by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and the major components were quercetin and myricetin derivatives. In order to discover their molecular mechanism, expression patterns of biosynthesis and regulatory gens of anthocyanins and flavonols were investigated. Experimental results showed that LpPAL, LpF3H, LpF3′H, LpDFR, LpANS and LpPAP1 expressions were significantly induced in purple pods compared to green ones. Meanwhile, transcripts of LpFLS were more abundant in purple pods than green or yellow ones, suggestind that co-pigments of anthocyanins and flavonols are accumulated in purple pods. Under continuously dark condition, no anthocyanin accumulation was detected in purple pods and transcripts of LpCHS, LpANS, LpFLS and LpPAP1 were remarkably repressed, indicating that anthocyanins and flavonols biosynthesis in purple pods was regulated in light-dependent manner. These results indicate that co-pigments of anthocyanins and flavonols contribute to purple pigmentations of pods.

Anthocyanin composition and expression analysis of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes in kidney bean pod

Kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important dietary legume crop cultivated and consumed worldwide. A purple cultivar (Zi Bawang) and a green cultivar (Chun Qiu), the main difference of which is in the pod skin color, were selected for the study. Malvidin 3, 5-diglucoside is identified as the major anthocyanin in the pod skin of Zi Bawang by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Three regulatory genes PvMYB1, PvMYB2, PvTT8-1 and most structural genes are dramatically up-regulated in purple pod skin compared to those in other materials. Significantly decreased expression levels of all regulatory genes and most biosynthetic genes are also detected in the purple skin of pods covered with bags compared to non-covered ones. All the results suggest that PvMYB1, PvMYB2 and PvTT8-1 might play a critical role in transcriptional activation of most anthocyanin biosynthetic genes in purple kidney bean pod.

Morphological characteristic of purple long yard bean cultivars and their tolerance to drought stress

The cultivation of purple long yard bean which tolerance to drought stress and have high productivity can improve farming in arid area. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanism of the tolerance purple long yard beans to drought stress based on morphologic characters, to get the hypothesis method of tolerance and to obtain tolerance cultivars to the drought stress. Eight cultivars of purple long yard beans, i.e. UBPHU1-41, UBPHU1-130, UBPU3-153, UBPU1-202, UBPU2-222, UBPU1-365, Brawijaya 4 and Bagong 2, were tested in two environmental conditions, 100% field capacity and 50% field capacity. The results showed that drought stress in purple long yard bean affected all morphological characters observed, except for root length and flowering time. Estimation of tolerance to drought stress using the Principles Component Analysis (PCA) showed that the shoot fresh weight could be an indicator of purple pod bean tolerance to drought stress. However, the test using Stress Susceptibility Index (SSI) was not able to classify the purple long yard bean tolerance to drought stress. The results of analysis using PCA followed by discriminant analysis and clustering dendrogram showed that the UBPU1-41, UBPU1-130, UBPU2-222, UBPU1-365, UB4 and Bagong 2 cultivars were medium cultivars that are tolerant to drought stress. Therefore, they can be planted in semiarid regions.

End-of-life care planning: improving documentation of advance directives in the outpatient clinic using electronic medical records.

The right to self-determination is fundamental in clinical ethics. End-of-life conversations and advance directives (ADs), in addition to preserving this right, have been shown to decrease the likelihood of in-hospital death, improve the quality of care, and lower health costs in the final week of life. Despite these benefits, the rates of AD documentation are poor. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of an electronic medical record (EMR)-based reminder in improving AD documentation rates. We conducted a prospective quality improvement study in outpatients at the Grady Memorial Hospital Purple Pod Clinic in Atlanta, GA. Using the EMR system EPIC we set to implement a reminder system consisting of the addition of "Advanced Directives Counseling" to the problem list (ADPL) of 50% of outpatients meeting one of the following criteria: age >65 years, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), malignancy, cirrhosis, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or stroke. Primary care physicians were encouraged to document ADs for all patients. The number of patients with documented ADs was assessed at 6 months post-test of change. A total of 588 patient charts were screened by seven providers, with 157 patients meeting the predefined criteria for AD documentation. During a 6-month period, 64 patients were seen in the clinic; 38 had AD on their problem list, and 26 did not. Seventy-six percent of charts with ADPL had documentation of an AD. Only 11.5% of those without ADPL had an AD documented. EMR-based reminders are effective in improving documentation rates of ADs. Further research is needed to establish whether improved documentation impacts inpatient management and costs of care.

Germplasm Collection and Diversity Analysis in Yardlong Bean (Vigna unguiculatasubsp.sesquipedalis) from Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha

Diversity in yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis), an under-utilized vegetable legume was collected from parts of North coastal Andhra Pradesh (Srikakulam and Viziznagaram districts) and adjoining regions of Odisha (Koraput and Gajapati districts). Substantial variation was observed among the 39 accessions collected. Most of collections had pods which were light green (28), some were light green with purple tip (6), and a few were dark green (4); one accession (IC582551, Jeypore, Koraput, Odisha) had purple pods with green tip. Variation in pod length ranged from 24–75 cm; fresh pod weight (10 pods) from 60–140 g and seeds/pod from 6.2–17. Pod length had the highest dispersion index (158%), followed by100-seed weight (127%), fresh pod weight (89%) and seeds/pod (83%). Accessions IC582850 and IC582863 had the longest pods (75 cm). A pure line selection from IC582850 (Jeypore, Odisha) is released for cultivation as ‘Arka Mangala’. This pole type, photo-insensitive variety with green, smooth pods and a crop duration of 3–4 months recorded a pod yield of 25.7 t/ha with an increase of 24% and 30% pod yield over the check varieties ‘Lola’ and ‘Vyjayanthi’, respectively.

Estimativas de parâmetros genéticos em genótipos de feijão-caupi avaliados para feijão fresco

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar parâmetros genéticos em caracteres associados com a produção de feijão fresco em 14 genótipos de feijão-caupi de vagem roxa e grãos brancos. Foram conduzidos três experimentos: dois sob irrigação (2004 e 2005) e um em condições de sequeiro (2005), no campo experimental da Embrapa Meio-Norte, em Teresina-PI, em delineamento de blocos completos casualizados com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados os seguintes caracteres: número de dias para a colheita de vagens frescas (NDCVF), comprimento de vagens frescas (CVF), número de grãos por vagem fresca (NGVF), peso de cem grãos frescos (P100GF), produtividade de vagens frescas (PVF), produtividade de grãos frescos (PGF), índice de grãos frescos (IGF), valor de cultivo (VC) e porte da planta (PP). As correlações genotípicas foram superiores às fenotípicas e ambientais, destacando-se as correlações entre VC e PVF (100%). O coeficiente de variação genético variou de 6,58% (IGF) a 31,62% (PGF), com destaque também para PVF (30,16%). No geral, todos os caracteres exibiram alto componente genético na expressão do caráter, com destaque para o CVF (98,72%). Existe um alto componente genético na expressão fenotípica de todos os caracteres estudados, com grande probabilidade de ganhos genéticos em ciclos adicionais de seleção com base no fenótipo. A seleção de genótipos de feijão-caupi de alta produtividade e precoces é mais fácil do que a seleção de genótipos de alta produtividade e tardios, para o melhoramento do feijão fresco.

‘Croscat’ Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a Prototypical Cultivar within the ‘Tavella Brisa’ Type

The cultivar Croscat is a common bean inbred line developed by the Fundacio Miquel Agusti from the ‘Tavella Brisa’ landrace. This landrace is adapted to the climate (Mediterranean with Atlantic components) and soil (volcanic soil with high levels of potassium, very good water retention, and high cationic exchange capacity) of the Volcanic Region of Santa Pau in Garrotxa County in northeast Spain. Seeds are sown at the end of May or beginning of June, depending on the rains because the beans are cultivated without irrigation. Depending on the weather in the fall and the time when the seeds are sown, beans are harvested between the beginning of September and the end of October. In the last 30 years, the ‘Tavella Brisa’ germplasm has suffered numerous introgressions (Sanchez et al., 2007) that have modified the populations and affected its sensory value. On the other hand, this landrace, which now includes growth Types I and II (Singh, 1982), was formerly grown together with maize and suffers from lodging, thus making mechanized harvesting difficult when it is cultivated without support. ‘Tavella Brisa Croscat’ was developed through selection with the aim of preserving the sensory traits of the landrace (low seed-coat perceptibility, medium–low mealiness, mild and pleasant taste, purple pod) and its tolerance to drought and heat stress while improving the architecture of the plant (more upright) to facilitate mechanized harvesting. The new cultivar is also a good starting point for introducing resistances to diseases and pests. Furthermore, the development of a homogeneous inbred line that has the main differential traits of the landrace helps support the application for the European label Protected Denomination of Origin (European Commission, 2006a; 2006b) that the area’s farmers have submitted.

Identification and Characterization of Anthocyanins in Yard-Long Beans (Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis L.) by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detection and Electrospray Ionization/Mass Spectrometry (HPLC−DAD−ESI/MS) Analysis

Anthocyanins play an important role in physiological functions related to human health. The objective of this study was to investigate the profiles of anthocyanins in the immature purple pods and black seeds of yard-long beans ( Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis L.) using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection and electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (DAD-ESI/MS) analysis. The individual anthocyanins were identified by comparing their mass spectrometric data and retention times. In the purple pods, five individual anthocyanins were identified: delphinidin-3-O-glucoside (2), cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside (4), cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (5), pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside (7), and peonidin-3-O-glucoside (8). From the black seed coat of the yard-long beans, seven anthocyanins were identified, including delphinidin-3-O-galactoside (1), cyanidin-3-O-galactoside (3), petunidin-3-O-glucoside (6), and malvidin-3-O-glucoside (9), together with compounds 2, 5, and 8. In this study, we report for the first time anthocyanin profiles for the pod and seed coat of yard-long beans.

Variability and correlations in cowpea populations for green-grain production

The phenotypical, genotypical and environmental variability and correlations in cowpea were estimated, aiming at the selection of lines for green-grain production. Both parents and 62 lines (39 F4, 16 F3BC1, 07 F3BC2) were evaluated. The experiment was conducted in Teresina, Piaui, where the following traits were evaluated: stalk length; plant height at flowering; number of nodes on the main stem; number of secondary branches; number of pods per plant; pod width, length and thickness; number of grains per pod; weight of 100 grains; and grain yield. The 14 lines of the F4 population achieved high grain yields, with purple pods and white grains; they can be recommended for selection for green-grain production. Selection for more pods per plant may achieve a higher grain yield.