IJUP08 - Universidade do Porto

Evaluation of genetic and chemical diversity in Portuguese
populations of Phaseolus vulgaris L.
R. Coelho 1 , M. A. Faria 2 , A. Barata 3 , M.B.P.P. Oliveira 2 and E. Nunes 1
1 CIBIO – Laboratory of Vegetal Genetics, Faculty of Sciences, Universitiy of Porto, Campus
Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, Vairão, 4485-661 Vila do Conde
2 REQUIMTE – Serviço de Bromatologia, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Aníbal
Cunha, 164, 4099-030 Porto
3 BPGV – Portuguese Bank of Vegetal Germoplasm, DRAP-N, Quinta de S. José, S. Pedro de
Merelim, 4700 Braga
The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most consumed legume in the world. In
Portugal, the geographic isolation of the region surrounded by the mountainous barrier of
Peneda-Gerês, Barroso and Marão it is thought to have the safeguard of a large number of
adapted bean populations. In the present study, 20 Portuguese accessions, collected by the
Portuguese Genebank (BPGV) from the referred region were evaluated in two locations -
Braga and Vieira do Minho - for chemical (protein content) and genetic diversity
(microsatellite DNA). Crude protein content was determined using the Kjeldahl method.
The molecular characterization was achieved by analyzing six microsatellite loci described
by Gaitán-Sólis [1]. Genetic data was analysed using the programs Identity, Microsat,
Phylip and Tree View.
Significant differences in crude protein content were found among locations, accessions,
and location by accession interactions. The average crude protein content was higher in
Vieira do Minho than in Braga (29.31% and 27.79%, respectively). The 6 microsatellite
loci used for molecular characterization contributed to differentiate most of the accessions
and the 20 accessions were grouped in terms of genetic proximity in three main clusters.
The studied collection of common beans presented genetic variability on crude protein
content among and within accessions potentially useful in plant breeding programs. Further
detailed studies are warranted, to fully understand the potential of the germplasm
maintained at BPGV.
[1] Gaitán-Solís E, Duque M.C., Edwards K.J., Thome J. (2002), Microsatellite Repeats in
Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): Isolation, Characterization, and Cross-Species Amplification
in Phaseolus ssp., Crop Science, 42, 2128-2136.
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