Phenological, morphological and yield component differences between a wild and a domesticated form of common bean

Abstract

In 2014, two forms of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), one wild and the other domesticated, both of undetermined growth habit type IV, climber, were cultivated in the greenhouse. The culture was performed in hydroponics allowing the maximum expression of its genetic potential. The wild and domesticated form of P. vulgaris is an important reservoir of genes for plant breeding. The objective was to make a mutual comparison of phenological, morphological characters and yield components, as well as some physiological variables such as leaf area duration, net assimilation rate, pod filling index and harvest index. The wild form has a longer cultivation cycle than the domesticated one and a greater number of pods from the stage of filling the pod to the maturity of harvest and in the latter a greater number of seeds per plant, although the seeds of a smaller size and individual weight; likewise, the percentage of germination was similar in both forms without the need to scarify the seed. In the wild form, the total production of dry matter per plant and the duration of the leaf area are greater, this last characteristic due to the fact that its foliage remains functional longer compared to the domesticated one. The net assimilation rate is higher in the domesticated, which indicates its precocity. The traditional and modified harvest index (including and excluding the root in both cases) is higher in the domesticated form due to selection under domestication.