Local to continental‐scale variation in fitness and heritability in common bean

Abstract

Selection during plant domestication and improvement often decreases genetic variation, including variation that confers adaptation to local conditions. We report spatial and temporal variation in fitness (seed yield), local adaptation, and segregating genetic variation within three races of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with differing domestication histories and genetic diversities. Three-hundred and twentyseven common bean genotypes had seed yield measured at subsets of 70 sites across North America between 1981 and 2015, as part of the Cooperative Dry Bean Nursery (CDBN). We estimated local adaptation using the metric home field advantage (HFA) and segregating genetic variation using heritability. The Durango and Mesoamerican races (Middle American genepool) had higher-than-expected (p = .002) HFA, equal to up to 34 yr of average yield gains. Surprisingly, Nueva Granada (Andean genepool) and Durango yields became more heritable across the study period (p < .001), while Mesoamerican heritability decreased (p < .001). Both metrics detected diversity loss corresponding to the timings of major historical gene introgressions. Local adaptation remains an agronomically important phenomenon within some common bean races. Common bean adaptation to new conditions will be most rapid at locations with large local adaptation benefits and high heritability.

Combination of meta‐analysis of QTL and GWAS to uncover the genetic architecture of seed yield and seed yield components in common bean

“…While longer days to maturity may be beneficial to increase seed yield under water sufficient conditions, under drought conditions, short growing cycle minimizes exposure to terminal drought, leading to better yield performance (Beebe et al., 2013; Keller et al., 2020; Vandemark et al., 2015). Environmental factors such as latitude, photoperiod, and temperature influence seed yield and yield component traits, and the identification of alleles for local versus broad adaptation will support genetic gains (MacQueen et al., 2021).…”

Meta-QTL Analysis for Yield Components in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

“…Common bean is grouped into two geographically isolated and genetically differentiated wild gene pools: Mesoamerican from Central America, and Andean from South America [ 17 ]. This history of domestication led to differences in genetic diversity, agronomic, morphological, and phenological traits between these gene pools [ 37 , 60 , 61 ]. The Mesoamerican gene pool is characterized by either small (<25 g 100 seed weight −1 ) or medium (25–40 g 100 seed weight −1 ) seeds [ 62 ], whereas the Andean gene pool is characterized by larger seeds (>40 g 100 seeds weight −1 ) [ 63 ].…”

Exploiting genetic variation from unadapted germplasm—An example from improvement of sorghum in Ethiopia

“…Indeed, realization of this goal could be challenging as evidenced in maize (Ewing et al, 2019) and bean (MacQueen et al, 2022). This underscores the selection of alleles that confer adaptation to local environments.…”

“…Therefore, to develop improved sorghum cultivars for rain‐fed agriculture in Ethiopia, adaptive traits need to be optimized for different locales. Indeed, realization of this goal could be challenging as evidenced in maize (Ewing et al, 2019) and bean (MacQueen et al, 2022). This underscores the selection of alleles that confer adaptation to local environments.…”