Phenotyping common beans for adaptation to drought: protocol for field evaluation

This protocol was provided for the identification of phenotypic differences in drought resistance in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). It is available in both PDF and photo gallery format with the aim of providing visiting students and researchers with a consultation document they can use to answer questions about our in-house methodologies

Sowing density effect on common bean leaf area development

Sowing density is a major management factor that affects growth and development of grain crops by modifying the canopy light environment and interplant competition for water and nutrients. While the effects of sowing density and plant architecture on static vegetative and reproductive growth traits have been explored previously in the common bean, few studies have focused on the impacts of sowing density on the dynamics of node addition and leaf area development. We present the results from two sites of field experiments where the effects of sowing densities (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 35 plants m-2) and genotypes with contrasting plant architectures (two each from growth habits I through III) on the dynamics of node addition and leaf area were assessed. Analysis of the phyllochron (°C node-1) indicated genotype and density effects (but no interaction) on the rate of node addition. While significant, these differences amounted to less than two days of growth at either site. In terms of leaf area development, analysis using a power function reflected large differences in the dynamics and final size of individual plant leaf area between the lower density (20 plants m-2) at the growth habit, but not genotype level. These differences in node addition and leaf development dynamics translated to marked differences between growth habits and sowing densities in estimated leaf area indices, and consequently, in the estimated fraction of intercepted light at lower densities

Phenotyping common beans for adaptation to drought: protocol for greenhouse evaluation

This protocol was provided for the identification of phenotypic differences in drought resistance in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). It is available in both PDF and photo gallery format with the aim of providing visiting students and researchers with a consultation document they can use to answer questions about our in-house methodologies

Modelación del frijol en Latinoamérica: Estado del arte y base de datos para parametrización

Frijol común (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) es la leguminosa de grano para consumo humano de mayor producción en el mundo, y es nativo de las Américas, donde juega un papel importante en la dieta. Los ambientes donde se cultiva el frijol varían desde zonas tropicales hasta alta montaña, con diversos hábitos de crecimiento (arbustivo determinado, arbustivo indeterminado, y voluble), y en sistemas de producción desde los tradicionales hasta los altamente tecnificados. Los esfuerzos en modelaje, por tanto, deben empezar desde identificar el tipo de frijol y el sistema objetivo. El frijol es muy sensible al estrés abiótico, hecho que ha animado el modelaje de su posible respuesta bajo escenarios de cambio climático. Se llevó a cabo una revisión de literatura para identificar quince ejercicios de modelaje ejecutados en América Latina, abarcando estudios de crecimiento (tazas de producción de nudos y área foliar), fenología, y de rendimiento. Los modelos empleados en dichos estudios incluyen EcoCrop, CROPGRO-DRYBEAN (implementado en la plataforma DSSAT), y en un caso cada uno, Maxent y CLIMEX. Se describen cuatro estudios en detalle: en los dos países de mayor producción en el mundo (Brasil y México), y en Centroamérica como región altamente vulnerable al cambio climático. Estos estudios concuerdan que la productividad del frijol podría sufrir serios efectos negativos en el transcurso del Siglo XXI a raíz del cambio climático. Finalmente, se informa sobre un ejercicio reciente de recopilar datos históricos de ensayos de frijol en Latinoamérica para alimentar futuros esfuerzos de modelaje. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the grain legume of greatest volume of production for direct human consumption, and is native to the Americas where it plays an important role in the diet of consumers. Bean is cultivated in environments from lowland tropical areas to high mountainous zones; with growth habits ranging from determinate bush, to indeterminate bush, to climbing types; and in production systems varying from traditional low input agriculture to highly technified systems. As such, efforts at modelling should focus on a specific plant type and production system. Bean is very sensitive to abiotic stress, a fact that has motivated modelling of its response in light of the dangers of climate change. A review of literature was carried out revealing fifteen studies in Latin America considering different aspects of plant growth (rates of node and leaf area production), phenology, and yield. Models employed include EcoCrop, CROPGRO (a module within the DSSAT cropping system model), and in one instance each, Maxent and CLIMEX. Three studies in particular are detailed: in the two countries of greatest production in the world (Brazil and Mexico), and one study in Central America as a region under direct threat of climate change. These three studies confirm that bean productivity will likely suffer severe negative effects in the course of the 21st century, as a result of climate change. A recent effort has compiled data from historical yield trials in Latin America as a resource for future modelling efforts.JRC.D.5-Food Securit

Influence of plant density and growth habit of common bean on leaf area development and N accumulation

Crop yield requires leaf area to intercept solar radiation and to undertake photosynthesis, both of which depend on nitrogen (N) accumulation. Further, the amount of accumulated plant N at the beginning of seed fill serves as the reservoir for N required in synthesizing the proteins in developing seeds. For common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), resolution of the basic characteristics limiting production is challenging because of variation in plant growth-habit and in wide-ranging plant spacing. Field experiments were undertaken at two low-latitude locations with three plant growth-habit types and six plant densities to measure canopy leaf area and leaf N accumulation at the beginning of seed fill. Plant spacing of 20 plants m−2 or more was sufficient to result in equal leaf area and N accumulation for all six plant genotypes at each location. However, the low-altitude, higher-temperature location had lower accumulated leaf N and yield than the high-altitude, cooler-temperature location. These results indicate attention needs to be given to physiological or agronomic approaches to overcome the negative impact of high temperature on N accumulation by common bean

Is nitrogen accumulation in grain legumes responsive to growth or ontogeny?

Peer Revie

Phenotypic evaluation and QTL analysis of yield and symbiotic nitrogen fixation in a common bean population grown with two levels of phosphorus supply

Peer Revie