2This paper is based upon a dissertation submitted by the senior author to the Faculty of Graduate School of Utah State University in candidacy for the Degree of Master of Science (1959).
4University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Utah State University, Logan, Utah
1Contribution from the Utah State Agricultural Experiment Station, Logan, Utah, and from the Florida State Agricultural Experiment Station, Gainesville, Florida.
Some characteristics of the starch grain were studied in 5 varieties of Phaseolus lunatus, in P. polystachus and in the F1 of the cross between the two species, grown at Farmington, Utah.
The’ results obtained indicated that species and varieties of P. lunatus differed in starch grain size and other characteristics. Burpee Bush and Concentrated Fordhook were large seeded varieties, possessing large starch grains. Varieties Utah 16, Clark's Bush, and Wasatch Bush were small-seeded and possessed smaller starch grains as compared to the large-seeded varieties. P. polystachyus had small seeds containing small starch grains which were more or less like those in the small-seeded varieties of P. lunatus. The F1 seeds (P. lunatus var. Fordhook x P. polystachyus) and starch grain size were similar to that of the large seeded varieties of P. lunatus.
As the pollination time advanced the size of the starch grains decreased. Size and weight of beans had linear relationship with the size of starch grains.
Amylose content was more or less equal (24.44 per cent) in both species but, decreased to 15.06 per cent in the F1.
The F1 was intermediate between the parents in the type of germination.
