Genetic Characterization of Agronomic, Physiochemical, and Quality Parameters of Dry Bean Landraces under Low-Input Farming

Dry bean landraces could be cultivated under Low-Input (LI) farming conditions because of their yield stability and quality traits. The objective of this research was to evaluate and identify landraces with high yield and stable performance under LI environment and study the relationships among agronomical, physiochemical, and quality traits. Seven landraces of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were evaluated in field trials under certified organic management during three consecutive growing seasons (2008-2010) at two different areas located in northern Greece in a RCBD with four replicates. Site per year was considered as one environment. A ranking of landraces according to seed yield potential indicated a group of five high yielding landraces, while Genetic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) for seed yield (9.80%) and number of pods/plant (9.57%) indicated useful genetic variability within landraces, combined with high heritability values (H2= 0.71 and 0.95, respectively). GGE biplot analysis for yield performance and stability indicated that landrace Kastoria fell within the scope of an ideal genotype, followed by three other promising landraces. Significant positive correlation was detected between cooking time and Ash (0.94**). High GCV values for hydration increase (16.77%) and cooking time (15.65%) combined with their high heritability (H2= 0.98 and 0.89, respectively) are of great interest for further genetic advancement. These results indicate that dry bean landraces may provide the appropriate differentiation in several important traits when cultivated under LI conditions, so, effort should be directed to exploit this variability for the development of new varieties suitable for LI agriculture.