Seeds are crucial for plant reproduction, dispersal and agriculture. Seed quality and vigour greatly impact crop production by enabling rapid and uniform germination under various environmental conditions. This leads to healthy seedlings that can withstand both biotic and abiotic stresses, which are particularly important in the context of the accentuation of global climate change. Upon imbibition during germination sensu stricto, seeds release exudates, complex mixtures of organic and inorganic molecules, into the microenvironment surrounding them, known as the spermosphere. These exudates play a pivotal role in seedling development and overall plant fitness by influencing microbial selection, growth and interactions in the spermosphere, ultimately shaping the plant's microbiome. Proteins such as enzymes with protection properties have previously been demonstrated to be released by the seeds in their exudates. However, limited information is available pertaining to peptides in seed exudates. Here, we developed an experimental protocol to extract and identify peptides in the spermosphere of germinating common bean seeds. We showed that our methodology was successful in identifying a broad spectrum of peptides and that extraction solvent choice impacts peptide identification both qualitatively and quantitatively. We also show the possibility of using online prediction tools to predict the properties of identified peptides based on their amino acid sequence. We propose that this approach may be used to identify potential molecules that could be used as candidates for developing strategies to enhance seed quality and improve crop productivity.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important crop of family Fabaceae used as a potential source of proteins, fibres and minerals. Thus, characterization of existing germplasm is useful for improvement and conservation. The Indian Himalayan Region harbours plentiful varieties of common bean, but it is nearly unexplored till date. In the present study, physical and genetic diversity of common bean was examined. Fifteen newly designed chloroplast microsatellite (cpSSR) markers were used to assess genetic diversity and population structure in 119 common bean individuals from 20 diverse accessions gathered from Uttarakhand, India. Significantly, positive (p< 0.05) relationship of seed weight was found with seed length (r = 0.813), seed width (r = 0.692) and seed length- width ratio (r = 0.694) using Pearson correlation analysis. A total of 20 alleles were identified using eight cpSSR markers. Mean number of alleles per locus (Na = 1.55), effective allele number (Ne = 1.370), expected heterozygosity (He = 0.213), average polymorphic loci (10.9) and Shannon information index (I = 0.313) were estimated based on cpSSR data. Maximum genetic diversity (He) was recorded in the AKJ/KK/DP/Jhalla/23 accession and minimum in the AKJ/YB/PS/Supi/43 accession. Bayesian-based STRUCTURE evaluation using cpSSR-based information partitioned 20 accessions into two distinct clusters which were also supported by neighbor-joining cluster analysis. These cpSSR markers also demonstrated transferability among other members like Vigna radiata, Macrotyloma uniflorum, Glycine max, Vigna mungo of Fabaceae family, therefore can be used to monitor their genetic heterogeneity. The findings from the study might be valuable to identify elite common bean accessions for production, conservation and future breeding programmes.

Western Himalayan region is a rich repository of common bean genetic resources evolved over generations of farmer selection. The bean variability encompasses various use categories such as dry, snap and shelled beans. The present study aimed to characterize 40 small-seeded red common bean genotypes collected from different districts of Kashmir valley as well as Poonch, Rajouri and Bhaderwah areas of Jammu which are world famous for their beans. Based on 5-year evaluation, there was substantial variability for various qualitative traits as well as quantitative traits. Among variability parameters, higher PCV and GCV values were recorded for plant height, seed yield per plant and number of pods per plant and low for days to maturity, seed length and pod length. High heritability was recorded for all the traits ranging from 78.72 to 94.87%. There was substantial variability in root traits scored in laboratory and greenhouse as well as canopy temperature depression and relative water content. Various genotypes were found resistant to bean common mosaic virus (WB-N-1, WB-N-11, WB-1318, WB-401, WB-451, WB-1634); anthracnose (WB-1634 WB-83, WB-258, WB-1282, WB-1304); angular leaf spot (WB-6, WB-1634, WB-258, WB-451, N-1 and N-10); Fusarium wilt (WB-341, WB-451, WB-N-1 and WB-1587) and Ascochyta blight (WB-6). Similarly WB-92 was highly resistant to shattering. The genotypes WB-341, WB-1634, WB-N-1 performed better under water stress, WB-N-1 and WB-1634 were resistant to multiple diseases and WB-1634 had better cooking quality. The genotypes identified can be used in bean improvement programmes and have also been submitted to NBPGR for long-term storage.

Common bean and azuki bean are poor competitors with weeds and demonstrate sensitivity to herbicides used for weed control in soybean. S-metolachlor, flufenacet, and acetochlor are categorized as Group 15 herbicides and provide control of multiple annual grass and select small-seeded broadleaf weeds. By way of field trials near Exeter and Ridgetown, Ontario, in 2019, 2020, and 2021, four dry bean market classes (azuki, kidney, small red, and white bean) were evaluated for their tolerance to 1× established label rates and 2× rates of S-metolachlor (1,600 and 3,200 g ai ha−1), flufenacet (750 and 1,500 g ai ha−1) and acetochlor (1,700 and 3,400 g ai ha−1) applied preplant incorporated (PPI). Injury was evaluated by assessing visible injury symptoms, density, shoot biomass, height, seed moisture content, and seed yield. Azuki bean was more sensitive to the Group 15 herbicides than other dry bean market classes; the Group 15 herbicides caused a 12% reduction in azuki bean growth at 2 wk after emergence; growth reduction was ≤2% in the other bean classes. Flufenacet (2× rate) was the most injurious treatment, causing a 27% reduction in azuki bean yield. This study concludes that kidney, small red, and white bean have a sufficient margin of crop safety to flufenacet, acetochlor, and S-metolachlor applied PPI. Azuki bean was sensitive to flufenacet; additional research is needed to investigate azuki bean tolerance to acetochlor and S-metolachlor applied PPI.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is perhaps the most important grain legume in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) smallholder systems for food security and household income. Although a wide choice of varieties is available, smallholder farmers in western Kenya realize yields that are low and variable since they operate in risky production environments. Significant seasonal variations exist in rainfall and severity of pests and diseases. This situation is worsened by the low and declining soil fertility, coupled with low capacity of farmers to purchase production inputs such as fertilizers, fungicides and insecticides, and land scarcity. The objective of this study was to investigate whether growing multiple-bean varieties instead of a single variety can enable farmers enhance yield stability over seasons and ensure food security. Five common bean varieties were evaluated in multiple farms for 11 seasons at Kapkerer in Nandi County, western Kenya. Data were collected on grain yield, days to 50% flowering and major diseases. In addition, daily rainfall was recorded throughout the growing seasons. The five varieties were combined in all possible ways to create 31 single- and multiple-bean production strategies. The strategies were evaluated for grain yield performance and yield stability over seasons to determine the risk of not attaining a particular yield target. Results indicated that cropping multiple-bean varieties can be an effective way for reducing production risks in heterogeneous smallholder systems. Yield stability can be greatly enhanced across diverse environments, leading to improved food security, especially for the resource-poor smallholder farmers operating in risk-prone environments. Although the results show that some of the single-bean variety strategies were high yielding, their yield stability was generally lower than those of multiple strategies. Resource-poor risk averse farmers can greatly increase the probability of exceeding their yield targets by cropping multiple-bean varieties with relatively low yields but high grain yield stability. Trading-off high grain yield for yield stability might be an important strategy for minimizing bean production risks.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is amongst the most important grain legume crops in Africa in general, and Ethiopia in particular. The Mexican been weevil (Zabrotes subfasciatus Boheman) heavily attacks the grain of common bean. A total of 300 common bean entries were subjected to a ‘no-choice’ test at Melkassa Agricultural Research Centre, Ethiopia, using a randomized complete block design with three replications, to evaluate for resistance to the Mexican bean weevil. Data on insect and seed traits were collected and a significant level (P<0.01) of variation in all parameters measured was observed amongst genotypes. Relative resistance was recorded in landraces, improved genotypes and breeding lines, but the resistant genotypes, RAZ-11, RAZ-36, RAZ-2, RAZ-44, RAZ-120, RAZ-40 and MAZ-203, showed consistently complete resistance, with zero index of susceptibility value. Two other promising entries were also identified from the breeding lines (SCR-11) and landrace collections (NC-16) of Ethiopia. Stratified ranking diagrams showed that accessions from different eco-geographical origins in Ethiopia and those with different colours showed different patterns of response to infestation. The Ethiopian bean breeding programme should take up the resistant genotypes for a comprehensive yield trial at the national level and direct release them as commercial varieties. The incorporation of bean weevil resistance genes into adapted varieties through backcross breeding techniques, supported with marker assisted selection, seems to be the best strategy not only in terms of time saving but also in terms of effectiveness and efficiency.

This study addresses the lack of chronometric research on the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to establish precisely the timing of its adoption and spread across the northern Eastern Woodlands of North America. Bean and directly associated maize samples were subjected to accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating. The results show that the common bean apparently spread rapidly upon its introduction to the region, becoming archaeologically visible from the Illinois River valley to southern New England in the calibrated late 13th century AD, some 200–300 years later than previously thought.

Crosses between certain genotypes of common bean result in dwarfing of F1 plants and lethal dwarfing in a proportion of the F2 population. This is under the control of the semi-dominant alleles, DL1 and DL2 at two complementary loci which are expressed in the root and shoot respectively. The various DL genotypes can be simulated by grafting. The graft combination DL1DL1dl2dl2/dl1dl1DL2DL2 was found to have a significantly higher root dry matter fraction than either parent. Lethally dwarfed plants (DL1DL1DL2DL2) and the analogous lethal graft combination (dl1dl1DL2DL2/DL1DL1dl2dl2) exhibit failure of root growth and have very low root fractions. Hybrids or graft combinations with failed roots ceased growth and accumulated large amounts of starch throughout their hypocotyls. In sterile culture, both lethal dwarfs and lethal graft combinations were able to grow roots if sucrose was added to the growth medium. This indicates that a failure of sucrose translocation to the roots is probably responsible for failed root growth. Data from screening the DL genotypes of 49 cultivars could be fully explained using the DL system hypothesis, and grafting proved to be efficient for identifying DL genotype. The DL system might be of fundamental importance in root–shoot partitioning. Current evidence favours the hypothesis that failure of root growth is the outcome of excessively high sink strength of shoots compared to roots, which might arise from signalling incompatibilities between the genotypes.