Colombian Common and Lima Beans: Views on their Origin and Evolutionary Significance

Abstract

This article reviews the geographical distribution of wild common and lima beans in the Neotropics, their morphological and ecological attributes, and their biochemical and molecular variation along their ranges. These facts reveal the organization of the genetic diversity into three major gene pools, with one being considered ancestral, and additional subdivisions within the derived ones. The relationships between the ancestral branch and related species are discussed. Colombia appears to be more than a place of contact between gene pools of cultivated materials, but the transit place of the ancestral branches, and a possible place of domestication as well.

Genetic Relationships of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Race Chile with Wild Andean and Mesoamerican Germplasm

“…These type of materials are considered as the oldest beans, and separated from the Mesoamerican and Andean beans gene pools (Kami et al, 1995;Debouck, 1996;Chacón et al, 2007). The position of the accession from Ecuador were similar to the previous studies mentioned above.…”

“…Data available to date indicate that the common bean has two main geographical centers of origin, Mesoamerican and Andean Koenig et al, 1990), although there could be secondary centers such as Colombia and others (Debouck, 1996). In this context, it is currently assumed that the geographical origin of the cultivated race Chile is Andean as mentioned before by using different types of markers.…”

“…Beans are cultivated in this area, as well as in other continents, demonstrating their high capacity to adapt to different climatic conditions. The wild bean has not been found in Chile (Debouck, 1996).…”

Diversity in Phaseolus Species in Relation to the Common Bean

“…As discussed elsewhere (Caicedo et aI., 1999;Debouck, 1996;Fofana et aI., 1999), the Lima bean probably has an Andean origin, with its secondary gene pool made of South American species such as P. pachyrrhizoides and P. mollis (restricted to the Galapagos). Its large-seeded wild form extends from Cajamarca, Peru to Imbabura, Ecuador, and possibly into Colombia (Toro Ch.…”

“…The present location of this gene pool in the subhumid montane forests of southern Ecuador and northern Peru (Debouck et aI., 1989b(Debouck et aI., , 1993 might be a relict one. Due to climatic oscillations during the early Pleistocene it might have occupied a broader habitat that included Colombia and Central America (Debouck, 1996). The finding of a third gene pool of wild common bean in Pacific northern South America was interesting for two reasons.…”