Shoot and Root Traits Contribute to Drought Resistance in Recombinant Inbred Lines of MD 23–24 × SEA 5 of Common Bean

Drought is the major abiotic stress factor limiting yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in smallholder systems in Latin America and eastern and southern Africa; where it is a main source of protein in the daily diet. Identification of shoot and root traits associated with drought resistance contributes to improving the process of designing bean genotypes adapted to drought. Field and greenhouse studies were conducted at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Palmira, Colombia to determine the relationship between grain yield and different shoot and root traits using a recombinant inbred lines (RILs) population (MD23–24 × SEA 5) of common bean. The main objectives of this study were to identify: (i) specific shoot and root morpho-physiological traits that contribute to improved resistance to drought and that could be useful as selection criteria in breeding beans for drought resistance; and (ii) superior genotypes with desirable shoot and root traits that could serve as parents in breeding programs that are aimed at improving drought resistance. A set of 121 bean genotypes (111 RILs, 2 parents, 8 checks) belonging to the Mesoamerican gene pool and one cowpea variety were evaluated under field conditions with two levels of water supply (irrigated and rainfed) over three seasons. To complement field studies, a greenhouse study was conducted using plastic cylinders with soil inserted into PVC pipes, to determine the relationship between grain yield obtained under field conditions with different root traits measured under greenhouse conditions. Resistance to drought stress was positively associated with a deeper and vigorous root system, better shoot growth, and superior mobilization of photosynthates to pod and seed production. The drought resistant lines differed in their root characteristics, some of them with a vigorous and deeper root system while others with a moderate to shallow root system. Among the shoot traits measured, pod harvest index, and seed number per area could serve as useful selection criteria for assessing sink strength and for genetic improvement of drought resistance in common bean

Genetic correlation between Fe and Zn biofortification and yield components in a common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important legume for direct human consumption worldwide. It is a rich and relatively inexpensive source of proteins and micronutrients, especially iron and zinc. Bean is a target for biofortification to develop new cultivars with high Fe/Zn levels that help to ameliorate malnutrition mainly in developing countries. A strong negative phenotypic correlation between Fe/Zn concentration and yield is usually reported, posing a significant challenge for breeders. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic relationship between Fe/Zn. We used Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) mapping and Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) analysis in three bi-parental populations that included biofortified parents, identifying genomic regions associated with yield and micromineral accumulation. Significant negative correlations were observed between agronomic traits (pod harvest index, PHI; pod number, PdN; seed number, SdN; 100 seed weight, 100SdW; and seed per pod, Sd/Pd) and micronutrient concentration traits (SdFe and SdZn), especially between pod harvest index (PHI) and SdFe and SdZn. PHI presented a higher correlation with SdN than PdN. Seventy-nine QTLs were identified for the three populations: 14 for SdFe, 12 for SdZn, 13 for PHI, 11 for SdN, 14 for PdN, 6 for 100SdW, and 9 for Sd/Pd. Twenty-three hotspot regions were identified in which several QTLs were co-located, of which 13 hotpots displayed QTL of opposite effect for yield components and Fe/Zn accumulation. In contrast, eight QTLs for SdFe and six QTLs for SdZn were observed that segregated independently of QTL of yield components. The selection of these QTLs will enable enhanced levels of Fe/Zn and will not affect the yield performance of new cultivars focused on biofortification

Genetic analyses and genomic predictions of root rot resistance in common bean across trials and populations

Root rot in common bean is a disease that causes serious damage to grain production, particularly in the upland areas of Eastern and Central Africa where significant losses occur in susceptible bean varieties. Pythium spp. and Fusarium spp. are among the soil pathogens causing the disease. In this study, a panel of 228 lines, named RR for root rot disease, was developed and evaluated in the greenhouse for Pythium myriotylum and in a root rot naturally infected field trial for plant vigor, number of plants germinated, and seed weight. The results showed positive and significant correlations between greenhouse and field evaluations, as well as high heritability (0.71–0.94) of evaluated traits. In GWAS analysis no consistent significant marker trait associations for root rot disease traits were observed, indicating the absence of major resistance genes. However, genomic prediction accuracy was found to be high for Pythium, plant vigor and related traits. In addition, good predictions of field phenotypes were obtained using the greenhouse derived data as a training population and vice versa. Genomic predictions were evaluated across and within further published data sets on root rots in other panels. Pythium and Fusarium evaluations carried out in Uganda on the Andean Diversity Panel showed good predictive ability for the root rot response in the RR panel. Genomic prediction is shown to be a promising method to estimate tolerance to Pythium, Fusarium and root rot related traits, indicating a quantitative resistance mechanism. Quantitative analyses could be applied to other disease-related traits to capture more genetic diversity with genetic models

Genetic mapping for agronomic traits in a MAGIC population of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under drought conditions

Background Common bean is an important staple crop in the tropics of Africa, Asia and the Americas. Particularly smallholder farmers rely on bean as a source for calories, protein and micronutrients. Drought is a major production constraint for common bean, a situation that will be aggravated with current climate change scenarios. In this context, new tools designed to understand the genetic basis governing the phenotypic responses to abiotic stress are required to improve transfer of desirable traits into cultivated beans. Results A multiparent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population of common bean was generated from eight Mesoamerican breeding lines representing the phenotypic and genotypic diversity of the CIAT Mesoamerican breeding program. This population was assessed under drought conditions in two field trials for yield, 100 seed weight, iron and zinc accumulation, phenology and pod harvest index. Transgressive segregation was observed for most of these traits. Yield was positively correlated with yield components and pod harvest index (PHI), and negative correlations were found with phenology traits and micromineral contents. Founder haplotypes in the population were identified using Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS). No major population structure was observed in the population. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) data from the founder lines was used to impute genotyping data for GWAS. Genetic mapping was carried out with two methods, using association mapping with GWAS, and linkage mapping with haplotype-based interval screening. Thirteen high confidence QTL were identified using both methods and several QTL hotspots were found controlling multiple traits. A major QTL hotspot located on chromosome Pv01 for phenology traits and yield was identified. Further hotspots affecting several traits were observed on chromosomes Pv03 and Pv08. A major QTL for seed Fe content was contributed by MIB778, the founder line with highest micromineral accumulation. Based on imputed WGS data, candidate genes are reported for the identified major QTL, and sequence changes were identified that could cause the phenotypic variation. Conclusions This work demonstrates the importance of this common bean MAGIC population for genetic mapping of agronomic traits, to identify trait associations for molecular breeding tool design and as a new genetic resource for the bean research community

Estudio jurídico sobre el contrato de prestación de servicios

El tema que se aborda en el presente estudio deinvestigación, no tiene por objeto descubrir las anomalías que infieren a la figura jurídica del contrato de trabajo como ?Contrato de Prestación de Servicios?. Sin embargo, a medida que se capte el mensaje encerrado en el nuevo orden económico?social, se ir  vislumbrado que la solución real y efectiva, de la propuesta final, no es meramente formal, o encausadora de fuentes de empleo, por el contrario, es sobre una nueva propuesta de contratación de prestación de servicios, cual es precisamente la creación de una legislación igualitaria, donde el trabajador pueda contar con todas sus garantías, sin depender de la duración del mismo. Colombia se encuentra actualmente sumida en una crisis laboral, y ha de hallar un camino que le permita no subsanar el desempleo como tal, sino que al momento de surgir un contrato de trabajo, este prestador de servicios, pueda contar con las mismas garantías como si estuviese laborando en forma continua

Replication Data for: Physiological traits associated with drought resistance in Andean and Mesoamerican genotypes of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Traits and genotypes related with drought resistance in Mesoamerican and Andean gene pool in common beans. Results showed that five Mesoamerican lines SEA 5, SEA 15, SER 22, SER 16, SER 8 and one Andean line SEQ1003 have superior resistance to drought. The superior performance of these lines under drought stress was associated with better canopy biomass at mid-pod filling that could be related to deeper root system and effective use of water, combined with efficient remobilization of photosynthates from vegetative structures to pod development (pod partitioning index, PPI) and grain filling (pod harvest index, PHI)

Phenotypic evaluation of interspecific recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of Phaseolus species for their resistance to aluminum and tolerance to aluminum-toxic acid soil under greenhouse conditions

Aluminium (Al) toxicity limits common bean productivity in acid soil regions of the tropics. To improve Al resistance of common bean, Al-sensitive Phaseolus vulgaris (SER16) was crossed to Alresistant P. coccineus (G35346-3Q) to create 94 F5:6 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of the pedigree SER16 9 (SER16 9 G35346-3Q). RILs were characterized for resistance to Al in a hydroponic system with 0 and 20 lM Al in solution, and for shoot and root growth response to Al-toxic infertile acid soil in 75 cm long soil cylinder system using an oxisol of low Al- (12.5%; pH 4.6; fertilized) and high Al-saturation (77%; pH 4.1; unfertilized). G35346-3Q increased its taproot elongation rate by 3.5% between 24 and 48 h under 20 lM Al in solution, while the best RIL, Andean genotype ICA Quimbaya, and sensitive genotype VAX1 expressed reductions of 2.6, 12.5, and 69.5%, respectively. In the acid soil treatment the correlation between leaf area and total root length was highly significant under high Al saturation (r = 0.70***). Genotypes that were Al resistant in the hydroponic system were not necessarily tolerant to Al-toxic acid soil conditions based on shoot and root growth responses. Phenotypic evaluation using both systems allows the identification of genotypes with Al resistance combined with acid soil adaptation. Two genotypes (ALB88 and ALB91) emerged as lines with multiple traits. Results suggest that inheritance of Al resistance and acid soil tolerance in G35346-3Q is complex. Results from this work will be useful for identification of molecular markers for Al resistance in Phaseolus species and to improve acid soil adaptation in common bean

Replication Data for: Evidence for genotypic differences among elite lines of common bean in the ability to remobilize photosynthate to increase yield under drought

Traits and genotypes related with resistance to intermittent and terminal drought stress. Three common bean elite lines (NCB 226, SEN 56, SER 125) were identified with superior levels of adaptation to both intermittent and terminal drought stress conditions. The greater performance of these lines under drought stress was associated with their ability to remobilize photosynthate to increase grain yield based on higher values of harvest index, pod harvest index, leaf area index and canopy biomass. Two wild bean germplasm accessions (G 19902, G 24390) showed very poor adaptation to both types of drought stress. One small-seeded black line (NCB 226) was superior in combining greater values of canopy biomass with greater ability to mobilize photosynthates to grain under both types of drought stress. Two small-seeded red lines (SER 78, SER 125) seem to combine the desirable traits of enhanced mobilization of photosynthates to seed with effective use of water through canopy cooling under terminal drought stress. Pod harvest index showed significant positive association with grain yield under both types of drought stress and this trait can be used by breeders as an additional selection method to grain yield in evaluation of breeding populations for both types of drought stress