Breeding second-generation biofortified bean varieties for Africa
Abstract
Micronutrient malnutrition is one of the most serious health challenges facing vast sectors of Africa's population, particularly resourcepoor women and children. Development and utilization of droughttolerant, biofortified varieties is probably the most effective, sustainable, and potentially longlasting strategy for reducing mi-cronutrient deficiencies and coping with frequent droughts. Our objective was to develop secondgeneration biofortified bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties com-bining drought tolerance, multiple disease resistance, and higher concentrations of iron and zinc in grain than the firstgeneration varieties currently grown by farmers in east, central, and west Africa. Fortyseven F2 populations segregating for mineral density, resistance to biotic and abiotic stress factors, marketable grain types, and yield potential were developed at Kabete Field Station, and advanced to F4 as popu-lation bulks. During the 2010 long rain season, 6,612 F4 single plants were selected and used to establish F4.5 progeny rows during the 2011 short rain season at Kabete. These progenies were evaluated for resistance to angular leaf spot, anthracnose, root rots, and agronomic traits. In 2012, 102 F4.6 lines were evaluated under drought stress and nostress conditions at Kabete and Thika. During the 2012 short rain season, se-lected disease and droughttolerant F4.7 lines were evaluated for mineral density and for their agronomic potential at four locations representing major bean production environments. Results showed significant (p<0.01) variation for mineral density, drought tolerance, disease resistance, growth habit, grain type, and maturity among the populations and their progenies. Iron concentration varied from 30 to 130ppm. Zinc concentration varied from 10 to 60ppm. Superior lines were selected from BF01, BF07, BF16, and BF36 populations. Eightyfour lines had 50% more yield under stress and nostress conditions compared with the parental lines, suggesting transgressive segregation. Results indicate that varieties combining high micronutri-ent density, resistance to diseases and drought, and marketable grain types can be developed from these populations
Citation
Kimani PM, Warsame A. "Kimani, P.M. and A. Warsame. 2019. Breeding second-generation biofortified bean varieties for Africa. J. Food and Energy Security 2019, DOI.org/10.1002/fes3.173[May 2019] p1-17.[ Wiley & Sons Ltd and the Association of Applied Biologists].". 2019.Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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