The results indicate that BRWN is associated with increased phosphorus acquisition and that this trait may have value for selection of genotypes with better performance in low phosphorus soils.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, causal agent of white mould, is the most destructive and widely distributed soilborne pathogen of common bean during the autumn–winter season in Brazil. Nevertheless, little is known about the genetic structure of the pathogen population. Microsatellite (SSR) markers and mycelial compatibility groups (MCGs) were used to characterize 118 isolates collected from 20 bean fields located in the most important growing regions of Minas Gerais State (MG). Additionally, the genetic variability among 10 isolates obtained from a single sclerotium was investigated in 10 different sclerotia. Seventy SSR haplotypes and 14 MCGs were identified among the 118 isolates. The genetic differences within bean growing areas accounted for most of the genetic variation (72%). Despite the relatively high genotypic diversity, the SSR loci were at linkage disequilibrium. Moreover, 70% of the isolates were assigned to only two MCGs, and haplotypes of a given MCG were closely related. The discriminant analysis of principal components revealed five groups. There was strong genetic differentiation between isolates collected in one municipality in southern MG when compared to other regions. Common bean resistance to white mould should be assessed with representative isolates of the five genetic groups and, if possible, of the different MCGs detected in the present study. One to five haplotypes were detected among the 10 isolates obtained from a single sclerotium. Therefore, in order to ensure genetic identity of an isolate, hyphal tip or monoascosporic isolates should be used.

Mungbean cultivation in summer in Viçosa and Prudente de Morais, Minas Gerais State, BrazilWe evaluated 25 genotypes of mungbean in the summer in Viçosa (sown in December 1997) and Prudente de Morais (sown in January 1999): nineteen lines from the Asian Vegetable Research Development Center, four from the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisa da Amazônia, one cv. from Peru besides cv. Ouro Verde. Yield varied from 1.2 to 2.0 t/ha in Viçosa, and from 1.3 to 2.6 t/ha in Prudente de Morais. Several lines yielded more than the cultivar Ouro Verde, standing out the line VC 3984-B-2-B-4-1-B due to the resistance to prostration. Mungbeans were well adapted in the summer season providing high yield in relatively short time.

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