A review of breeding objectives, genomic resources, and marker-assisted methods in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Abstract

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), one of the most important grain legume crops for direct human consumption, faces many challenges as a crop. Domesticated from wild relatives that inhabit a relatively narrow ecological niche, common bean faces a wide range of biotic and abiotic constraints within its diverse agroecological settings. Biotic stresses impacting common bean include numerous bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases and various insect and nematode pests, and abiotic stresses include drought, heat, cold, and soil nutrient deficiencies or toxicities. Breeding is often local, focusing on improvements in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses that are particular challenges in certain locations and needing to respond to conditions such as day-length regimes. This review describes the major breeding objectives for common bean, followed by a description of major genetic and genomic resources, and an overview of current and prospective marker-assisted methods in common bean breeding. Improvements over traditional breeding methods in CB can result from the use of different approaches. Several important germplasm collections have been densely genotyped, and relatively inexpensive SNP genotyping platforms enable implementation of genomic selection and related markerassisted breeding approaches. Also important are sociological insights related to demand-led breeding, which considers local value chains, from farmers to traders to retailers and consumers.

Effect of Water Deficit on Morphoagronomic and Physiological Traits of Common Bean Genotypes with Contrasting Drought Tolerance

“…Similarly, Rao et al [42] reported a mean GY reduction of 31% under drought compared to unstressed conditions, and Barrios et al [43] confirmed that water deficit reduced the traits PP (63.3%), TNG (28.9%), and GW (22.3%). According to Assefa et al [5], the yield components PP and TNG are the traits most negatively affected by water deficit.…”

“…It is a staple food for over 300 million people in Latin America and Africa and an important source of protein, fiber, carbohydrates, and trace minerals [2,3]. Common bean is grown predominantly by small farmers, often in marginal regions, where crop yields are frequently affected by a number of abiotic factors, in particular water deficit [4,5]. Worldwide, water scarcity is estimated to affect about 60% of the common bean production areas with prolonged drought periods [1].…”

In-Depth Characterisation of Common Bean Diversity Discloses Its Breeding Potential for Sustainable Agriculture

“…Flowering time is a key determinant for dry matter production and seed yield in common bean as well as in other major crops [88,89]; high temperature at flowering can dramatically reduce seed set rates in bean. It has been reported that night temperatures above 18 • C can reduce pollen viability in this crop [40,90]. Indeed, early flowering materials can contribute selecting novel varieties able to avoid yield losses caused by heat stress.…”

“…In the past, scarce research and development efforts limited the improvement of varieties and farming practices able to enhance use and production of common bean in comparison to other major crops such as maize and soybean [40]. Nowadays, renewed research efforts are carried out paying special attention to obtain regular production by increasing the ability of this species to tolerate and/or escape major factors limiting its yield: water deficiency, heat stresses as well as other biotic and abiotic stresses [40]; in addition, productivity under low-water availability, reduced application of chemicals and enhanced BNF would also contribute to attain a more sustainable bean production. In this context, research and linked breeding efforts need to better explore the great within-species diversity of common bean, also taking advantage of the new molecular and breeding technique advances [40].…”

Induction of competent cells for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated stable transformation of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

“…In response to increasing demands for food caused by the growing population, a fundamental goal of common bean breeding has been to develop high-yielding cultivars with desirable consumer traits [5]. A summary of the broad breeding objectives in common bean improvement was recently reviewed by Assefa [6]. Abundant genetic diversity, easy germplasm accessibility, and application of marker assisted breeding technologies have supported conventional bean breeding efforts [3,7,8].…”