QTL analyses for tolerance to abiotic stresses in a common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) population.

Common bean productivity is reduced by several abiotic stress factors like drought and low soil fertility, leading to yield losses particularly in low input smallholder farming systems in the tropics. To understand the genetics of stress tolerance, and to improve adaptation of common bean to adverse environments, the BAT 881 x G21212 population of 95 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was evaluated under different abiotic stress conditions in 15 trials across four locations in Colombia, representing two higher altitude (Darién, Popayán) and two lower altitude (Palmira, Quilichao) locations. Stress vs non-stress treatments showed that yields were reduced in drought trials in Palmira by 13 and 31%, respectively, and observed yield reductions in low phosphorus stress were 39% in Quilichao, 16% in Popayán, and 71% in Darién, respectively. Yield components and biomass traits were also reduced. Traits linked to dry matter redistribution from stems, leaves and pods to seed, such as pod harvest index and total non-structural carbohydrates, were found to be important factors contributing to yield in all conditions. In contrast, early maturity was correlated with improved yield only in lower altitude locations, whereas in higher altitudes delayed maturity promoted yield. Superior RILs that combine stress tolerance and high cross-location productivity were identified. Lines that showed good yield under strong stress conditions also performed well under non-stress conditions, indicating that breeder's selection can be applied for both conditions at the same time. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses revealed a stable yield QTL on chromosome Pv04, detected individually in all locations, several stress treatments and in best linear unbiased predictions (BLUPs) across all trials. Furthermore, two QTL hotspots for maturity traits were identified on Pv01 and Pv08, which are the most stable QTL. The constitutive yield QTL could serve as a good candidate for marker development and could be used in marker assisted selection. Increased understanding of the physiology of abiotic stress tolerance, combined with the availability of superior germplasm and molecular tools, will aid breeding efforts for further improvement of these plant traits.

Is nitrogen accumulation in grain legumes responsive to growth or ontogeny?

Nitrogen (N) accumulation in legumes is one of the main determinants of crop yield. Although N accumulation from symbiotic nitrogen fixation or N absorption from the soil has been widely investigated, there is no clear consensus on timing of the beginning of N accumulation and the termination of N accumulation and the physiological events that may be associated with these two events. The analyses conducted in this study aimed at identifying the determinant of N accumulation in two grain legume species. Nitrogen accumulation dynamics and mass accumulation and development stages were recorded in the field for several genotypes of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and faba bean (Vicia faba) under different growing conditions. This study showed that during the vegetative stages, N accumulation rate was correlated with mass accumulation rate. However, the maximum accumulation of N did not correspond to the time of the maximum mass accumulation. In fact, for both species, N accumulation was found to persist in seed growth. This challenges a common hypothesis that seed growth causes a decrease in N accumulation because of a shift of the photosynthate supply to support the seed growth. Even more surprising was the shift of the active accumulation of N in faba bean to late in the growing season as compared with common bean. N accumulation by faba bean only was initiated at high rates very late in vegetative growth and persisted at high rates well into seed fill.

A Predictive Model for Time-to-Flowering in the Common Bean Based on QTL and Environmental Variables.

The common bean is a tropical facultative short-day legume that is now grown in tropical and temperate zones. This observation underscores how domestication and modern breeding can change the adaptive phenology of a species. A key adaptive trait is the optimal timing of the transition from the vegetative to the reproductive stage. This trait is responsive to genetically controlled signal transduction pathways and local climatic cues. A comprehensive characterization of this trait can be started by assessing the quantitative contribution of the genetic and environmental factors, and their interactions. This study aimed to locate significant QTL (G) and environmental (E) factors controlling time-to-flower in the common bean, and to identify and measure G × E interactions. Phenotypic data were collected from a biparental [Andean × Mesoamerican] recombinant inbred population (F11:14, 188 genotypes) grown at five environmentally distinct sites. QTL analysis using a dense linkage map revealed 12 QTL, five of which showed significant interactions with the environment. Dissection of G × E interactions using a linear mixed-effect model revealed that temperature, solar radiation, and photoperiod play major roles in controlling common bean flowering time directly, and indirectly by modifying the effect of certain QTL. The model predicts flowering time across five sites with an adjusted r-square of 0.89 and root-mean square error of 2.52 d. The model provides the means to disentangle the environmental dependencies of complex traits, and presents an opportunity to identify in silico QTL allele combinations that could yield desired phenotypes under different climatic conditions.

Development of a QTL-environment-based predictive model for node addition rate in common bean.

KEY MESSAGE: This work reports the effects of the genetic makeup, the environment and the genotype by environment interactions for node addition rate in an RIL population of common bean. This information was used to build a predictive model for node addition rate. To select a plant genotype that will thrive in targeted environments it is critical to understand the genotype by environment interaction (GEI). In this study, multi-environment QTL analysis was used to characterize node addition rate (NAR, node day- 1) on the main stem of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L). This analysis was carried out with field data of 171 recombinant inbred lines that were grown at five sites (Florida, Puerto Rico, 2 sites in Colombia, and North Dakota). Four QTLs (Nar1, Nar2, Nar3 and Nar4) were identified, one of which had significant QTL by environment interactions (QEI), that is, Nar2 with temperature. Temperature was identified as the main environmental factor affecting NAR while day length and solar radiation played a minor role. Integration of sites as covariates into a QTL mixed site-effect model, and further replacing the site component with explanatory environmental covariates (i.e., temperature, day length and solar radiation) yielded a model that explained 73% of the phenotypic variation for NAR with root mean square error of 16.25% of the mean. The QTL consistency and stability was examined through a tenfold cross validation with different sets of genotypes and these four QTLs were always detected with 50-90% probability. The final model was evaluated using leave-one-site-out method to assess the influence of site on node addition rate. These analyses provided a quantitative measure of the effects on NAR of common beans exerted by the genetic makeup, the environment and their interactions.