Genetic variability and heritability of biofortified grain beans genotypes

Abstract

Bean is the sixth most produced crop in Brazil and it is a great source of protein and minerals in human food. It is possible to select promising genotypes to form biofortified cultivars for various mineral elements, allowing to improve the nutritional quality of the grains. In this study the mineralogical diversity composition in several bean genotypes was analyzed, focusing on the selection of promising parents in the formation of biofortified cultivars. The mineralogical composition of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, potassium and zinc was analyzed. The data were analyzed using the univariate mixed model in a completely randomized design with three replicates per genotype. The results showed high genetic diversity and a possibility of genetic selection rich in calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, manganese and phosphorus. All minerals presented high genetic variability and heritability. The richest and most genetically divergent genotypes of the “Pinto bean” commercial group were CNFC 15475 and CNFC 15625, and the black commercial group were CNFP 15310 and CNFP 15304. The selection of biofortified genotypes of elite breeding programs are extremely beneficial in selecting mineralogical rich genotypes, which already have desirable agronomic characteristics.