Genetic diversity of the Canadian dry bean varieties released since 1930: A pedigree analysis

A pedigree database of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties of different market classes released in Canada since 1930 was developed. The coefficient of parentage was estimated for all pair-wise combinations of varieties, parental and (or) ancestral genotypes. A cluster analysis was employed to study the genetic diversity of dry bean in the Canadian gene pool. The pedigree-based estimate of genetic diversity (1 - coefficient of parentage) for all dry bean varieties released between 1930 and 2010 was 0.93. This value was smaller for varieties within each evolutionary race, estimated at 0.89 for the varieties of race Durango (pinto, Great Northern, and small red beans), 0.83 for varieties of race Mesoamerica (navy and black), and 0.76 for varieties of race Nueva Granada (kidney and cranberry beans). The results indicated a narrow genetic diversity among the Canadian beans of Andean origin (kidney and cranberry beans), suggesting that the breeding efforts for these market classes would benefit from the introduction of new genetic diversity. Among the small-seeded beans of race Mesoamerica, varieties 'Ex-Rico 23' (syn. ICA Bunsi) and 'Seafarer', the medium-sized beans of race Durango varieties 'UI-111' and 'NW-63', and the large-seeded beans of race Nueva Granada varieties, 'Montcalm' and 'California Dark Red Kidney', were identified as the major progenitors of Canadian dry beans. © Crop Science Society of America.