Origin and diversity study of local common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) germplasm from Serbia: phaseolin and phenotyping approach

Phenotypic diversity of common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) landraces and reference cultivars were evaluated based on variability of twelve traits, chosen according to international descriptor list. Landraces were collected form 53 locations in Republic of Serbia. Origin and dissemination of local common bean germplasm was assessed based on variation of phaseolin types. Phaseolin analysis showed that landraces of both Mesoamerican and Andean origin are grown in Serbia, with higher frequency of Andean types. Ratio of three phaseolin types found in studied common bean germplasm suggested its introduction in Serbia from northern borders. Shannon–Weaver index was used as indicator of phenotypic diversity, showing high diversity level among studied germplasm. HOMALS analysis was performed in order to determine discriminative power of traits and structure of studied germplasm. Seed and flower traits, as well as growth habit type had highest, opposed to phaseolin type with lowest discriminative power among genotypes. Genotypes were phenotypically individualized and classified in five homogenous groups according to their profiles, displaying differentiation on the gene pool level, as well.