Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Analysis of Canning Quality Traits in Kidney Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Canning quality of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), of which the degree of splitting (SPLT) and overall appearance (APP) of canned beans are major components, is a complex trait that exhibits quantitative inheritance. The objectives of this study were to identify major genes that affect APP and SPLT in kidney bean, and map the location of these loci to the integrated core map of common bean. The analysis was performed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers and two populations of kidney bean, consisting of 75 and 73 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), respectively. The two populations—`Montcalm' × `California Dark Red Kidney 82' and `Montcalm' × `California Early Light Red Kidney'—were planted in six year-location combinations in Michigan, Minnesota and North Dakota from 1996 to 1999. Correlations between APP and SPLT were high (0.91 to 0.97). Heritability estimates for APP and SPLT ranged from 0.83 to 0.85 in the two populations. Major genes for these traits were identified on two linkage groups. The first QTL, associated with seven RAPD markers, was putatively mapped to the B8 linkage group of the core bean linkage map. Desirable canning quality appeared to be derived from Montcalm at this locus. The second QTL, associated with four markers, appeared to be derived from the California parents. The second linkage group was not assigned to a linkage group in the core map. Population and environment-specificity were observed for the markers identified.