Variability of nodulation traits in Andean and Mesoamerican common bean gene pools

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the genotypic diversity for nodulation in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) genotypes of Andean and Mesoamerican gene pools present in the core collections of Embrapa, in Brazil. Evaluations were carried out in two stages: the first one with 879 genotypes, taking the cultivar 'Ouro Negro' as reference; and the second one with 116 genotypes with greater nodulation, to identify those showing stability in nodulation in the two stages. Rhizobium strains were inoculated in pre-germinated common bean seed. Plants received weekly a nutrient solution without N, and nodulation was evaluated 35 days after planting. The percentage of genotypes that exceeded the reference cultivar was 22% for number of nodules, 46% for nodule dry weight, and 33% for one nodule dry weight. The combined analysis of data from the two evaluation phases showed wide differences among genotypes, and significant interactions between genotypes and stages. By the orthogonal contrasts analysis, the Mesoamerican genotypes showed a greater nodulation than the Andean ones. In both stages, twenty-six more stable genotypes were identified, most of them belonging to the Mesoamerican gene pool. There is a large variability in nodulation traits among the common bean genotypes present in the core germplasm collections of Embrapa, which suggests that there are genotypes with improved nodulation.