Release of multiple virus and bruchid resistant Mesoamerican bean germplasm lines PR1303-129 and PR1743-44

Abstract

PR1303-129 (Reg. no. GP-317, PI 702998) and PR1743-44 (Reg. no. GP-318, PI 702999) are multiple virus- and bruchid-resistant common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) germplasm lines developed and released cooperatively by the University of Puerto Rico Agricultural Experiment Station, the USDA-ARS, the Instituto Dominicano de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales, the Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Agrícola, and Zamorano University. The black bean PR1303-129 and small dark red bean PR1743-44 combine resistance to Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), Bean golden yellow mosaic virus (BGYMV) and the common bean weevil [Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say)] with partial resistance to the Mexican bean weevil [Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman)]. Marker-assisted selection was used to identify the presence of the bgm-1 gene and the SW12 quantitative trait locus (QTL) for BGYMV resistance and the I and bc-3 genes for resistance to BCMV and BCMNV. The parents of PR1303-129 and PR1743-44 were reported to possess the I gene for resistance to BCMV. Greenhouse inoculations were used to confirm the presence of the bc-3 gene. Lines were screened in the laboratory and field for resistance to bruchids. Mean seed yields of PR1303-129 and PR1743-44 in six trials conducted in Puerto Rico were comparable to the check cultivar ‘Verano’. The release of these germplasm lines should contribute to the development of Mesoamerican cultivars for Central America and the Caribbean with enhanced levels of resistance to viral diseases and pests.