Breeding for protein percentage and seed weight in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Abstract

SUMMARY: Three successive generations (parents, F1, F2) and backcrosses of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) hybrid between the cultivars Swedish Brown and Seafarer were used in this study.The investigation has concentrated on assessing the relationship between the seed weight per plant and the protein percentage of the seed. Protein percentage showed a higher estimated heritability and a greater stability over environments than seed weight.Partial dominance for low percentage protein and low seed weight was noted. Negative and low regression coefficients between these two characters was also observed.SDS-gel electrophoresis was used to examine the variation in banding patterns of total seed polypeptides and their stability over environments.