Genetic Relationship among Common Bean Cultivars with Enhanced Accumulation of Bioactive Compounds

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is now considered as a nutritive food containing bioactive compounds for human health. Studies are necessary to understand genetic and environmental influence over yield and the accumulation of bioactive compounds in seeds. Days to flowering, disease reaction, maturity, seed yield, 100 seed weight, flavonoid content and genetic relationships were evaluated in eight common bean cultivars in spring and summer cropping seasons. Flowering was registered between 36 and 54 days after planting, values between 1 and 7 were observed for CBB (Common Bacterial Blight) and maturity showed values between 88 and 98 days. Similar seed yields were registered between growing seasons and significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) among cultivars were obtained in spring (484 kg ha-1 to 1 544 kg ha-1) and summer (1 042 kg ha-1 to 1 573 kg ha-1). Highly significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) were observed among cultivars for myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol content. High values for seed yield and flavonoid content were observed in Negro Pacífico (1 500 kg ha-1; myr = 68.6 µg g-1), Negro Nayarit (1 417 kg ha-1; myr = 31.8 µg g-1) and Negro Sahuatoba (1 396 kg ha-1; myr = 70.7 µg g-1; quer = 183.5 µg g-1; kaemp = 7.2 µg g-1). Seven SSR loci were used to establish genetic relationships among breed cultivars derived from parents collected in Southern México and Central America. Agronomic, laboratory and molecular markers allowed generating important information to find gene sources for genetic breeding programs in order to improve seed yield and bioactive compounds accumulation in common bean seeds.