Iron and zinc grain concentrations diversity and agronomic performance of common bean germplasm collected from East Africa

Abstract

Iron and zinc are essential micronutrients for normal human growth and development and are commonly deficient in diets of the most vulnerable. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), one of the leading staple foods in East and Central Africa, is a valuable source of quality protein and micronutrients, specifically iron, zinc, and vitamins. Natural variation in micronutrient concentration exists among bean germplasm. Identification of varieties with high iron and zinc seed concentration (FESEED/ZNSEED) for promotion in food systems and utilisation in breeding programs is one strategy of addressing the problem of malnutrition in Africa. Three hundred and four lines sourced from the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and its partners through the Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA), were evaluated for agronomic traits, disease response, yield, FESEED, and ZNSEED. They were organized in four groups; PABRA fast track, Rwanda seeds of hope, HarvestPlus regional nutrition nursery and Uganda collection. Six checks were included; a universal high FESEED climbing bean (MIB465), low FESEED regional climbing bean (Decelaya), universal low FESEED bush bean (DOR500), regional high FESEED bush bean (RWR2154), and two yield checks (CAL96 and Vuninkingi for bush and climbing bean). The FESEED checks were selected based on their relative performance to other genotypes in several experiments by a community of bean breeders through the H+ program. Field trials were established at the National Agricultural Laboratories, Kawanda from 2011 to 2013. Days to maturity and flowering, vigor, yield, and reaction to diseases were evaluated. Micronutrient analysis was conducted using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and data confirmed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). Lines were significantly different (P≤0.05) in all the parameters assessed. FESEED and ZNSEED varied highly between seasons and among the entries ranging between 36-90 ppm and 24-47 ppm across the four nurseries. Twenty-six lines were selected as high iron beans (HIBs) based on XRF data; 12 of these were confirmed as HIB based on ICP data that is more accurate. Of these, two bush beans, Jesca (large purple speckled) and RW547 (medium grey) and two climbing beans, CAB2 (medium white seeded) and Ndimirakaguja (small cream) were the most superior in FESEED across seasons. With the exception of CAB2, these lines were relatively high yielding >2000 kgha -1 . There was no significant correlation of FESEED or ZNSEED to yield. Nonetheless, FESEED and ZNSEED positively (0.59) correlated indicating that selection for superiority in one variable would result in a high value in the other.

Determining grain seed micronutrient contents (iron and zinc) and cooking time for selected dry bean cultivars

“…In this research study, we identified some of the bean cultivars containing higher Fe and Zn concentrations from seeds although there were variations in different environments. These data are supported by other similar research conducted in Uganda [24] that showed seed concentration of up to 88 mg/kg and 41mg/kg for Fe and Zn, respectively. Also, in Tanzania, biofortified climbing beans with 80.30 mg/kg Fe [25], India [23], Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo with 94 mg/kg Fe [26] were discovered and now are being used by end users.…”

Effects of Drought on Yield and Nutraceutical Properties of Beans (Phaseolus spp.) Traditionally Cultivated in Veneto, Italy

“…Blair et al (2009) considered a Middle American accession with 42.8 mg kg −1 Zn content on the seeds as a low content and an Andean accession with 66.7 mg kg −1 as high Zn content [57]. Amongi et al (2018) assessed the Zn content of 304 accessions of a common bean germplasm from East Africa. The Zn content on African accessions ranged from 23.9 to 47 mg kg −1 , with an average of 32 mg kg −1 [58].…”

“…Amongi et al (2018) assessed the Zn content of 304 accessions of a common bean germplasm from East Africa. The Zn content on African accessions ranged from 23.9 to 47 mg kg −1 , with an average of 32 mg kg −1 [58]. This study obtained a similar range to Blair's, from 42.2 (Posenati) to 59.3 and 59.9 mg Zn kg −1 (Maron and Gialet, respectively).…”

Genotype by environment interaction in common bean cultivars for iron and zinc concentration in grains

“…The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) has considerable potential for biofortification of iron concentration (IC) and zinc concentration (ZC) in the grains because it is the most important pulse crop and leguminous plant for direct human consumption (Beebe et al, 2000) and has relatively high concentrations of these minerals. In addition, various authors have indicated genetic variability in these traits (Amongi et al, 2018;Caproni et al, 2020;Martins et al, 2016;Mukamuhirwa & Rurangwa, 2018;Pereira et al, 2014;Philipo et al, 2020;Silva et al, 2012). In Brazil, most studies have been conducted using precommercial lines.…”