Variability in Morphometric and Agronomic Traits of Native Bean Seeds (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and Edaphoclimatic Characterization

Farmers conserve bean germplasm due to its importance in nutrition despite recent socioeconomic changes in their communities. The objective of the study was to analyze the edaphoclimatic conditions, morphometric and agronomic characters in seeds of bean varieties.

Seeds of native varieties were collected in the Las Montañas region, Veracruz, Mexico, with data on temperature, precipitation and soil properties were extracted. The native materials were grown together with the Negro INIFAP variety and the commercial grains Michigan and Pinto. Qualitative variables (frequency and correspondence analysis) and quantitative variables were evaluated, the latter related to the plant, as well as dimensions and weight of the seed, following a complete and completely randomized block design, respectively.

Native varieties develop in ranges of 18.4 to 25.5°C and between 1 827 to 2 610 mm of precipitation and soils with average values of organic matter and pH of 5.89-7.04. Differences were present in the qualitative characters and in the number of seeds per pod (NSE), weight of one hundred seeds (WHSE) and seed dimensions (p≤0.01). The Amarillo milpa variety reached the highest NSE with 7.33 and Pinto stood out over the WHSE (33.41 g). The native varieties are classified as small (<25 g 100 seeds), characteristic of the Mesoamerican race. In conclusion, the diversity in qualitative and quantitative characters in bean varieties reflects adaptations to contrasting edaphoclimatic conditions, which has implications for genetic improvement, food security and sustainability.