Genetic parameters of iron and zinc concentrations in Andean common bean seeds

ABSTRACT. The genetic parameter estimates of the iron and zinc concentrations in Andean common bean seeds were obtained using the IAC Boreal × Light Red Kidney and Ouro Branco × Light Red Kidney crosses. The parents and the F1, F1 reciprocal, F2, F2 reciprocal, and backcross BC11 and BC12 generations were evaluated in a field experiment that was carried out in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The iron concentration in Andean common bean seeds ranged from 24.70 to 102.40 mg kg-1 dry matter (DM), the zinc concentration ranged from 10.73 to 37.50 mg kg-1 DM, and no significant maternal effect was observed. The narrow-sense heritability ranged from low (h2n= 19.04%) to high (h2n= 63.60%) for the concentrations of iron and zinc, respectively. Hybrid vigor and transgressive segregation were observed for the iron and zinc concentrations in Andean common bean seeds. In the hybrid combination IAC Boreal × Light Red Kidney, it was possible to select recombinants for the iron and zinc biofortification program. From the tested hybrid combinations, recombinants with low iron and zinc concentrations in seeds could be selected to use when the diet needs to be restricted in those minerals.