Mapping and QTL Detection for Agronomic Traits in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is the third most important grain legume in the world and is the most important food crop among these. Therefore, it is highly desirable to increase to improve yields and tolerance to low soil fertility and soil phosphorous in common bean commercial varieties. The goal of our research is to identify QTL associated with those traits in two populations. In the recombinant inbreed lines (RILs) population BAT881xG21212; both parental lines belong to the Mesoamerican gene pool. A preliminary genetic map made up of 262 DNA markers (RAPD, AFLP and SSR) was saturated with 140 SNP markers. The SER16x(SER16xG35346),  population is an interspecific backcross  population between P. vulgaris and P. coccineus,  In this case, we constructed a genetic map with 174 SNPs. Yield related traits were evaluated at three locations at CIAT, Quilichao, Palmira and Popayan in Colombia. In the latter population, we also evaluated shoot and root plant attributes. Major reproducible QTL were found for days to flowering and days to physiological maturity, traits having significant correlations with yield.