Phenotypic Variability for Root Traits in Andean Common Beans Grown with and without Aluminum Stress Conditions

Genetic variation in wild relatives, GenBank accessions, landraces, and cultivars can unlock key alleles for the traits of interest breeding programs. Breeding programs often utilize different strategies to quantify source heritable target traits. One neglected area study is root diverse genotypes, this especially case aluminum toxicity effects on legumes such as common bean, which most used pulse direct human consumption. This evaluated 267 genotypes bean that were part global Andean Diversity Panel (ADP), consisting mainly assembled from public private Africa North America, well elite lines land races USDA. The ADP was at seedling stage Tennessee State University (TSU) greenhouse using a hydroponic system with standard nutrient solution without (Al). recorded data roots per trial fit linear mixed model analysis variance order test genotype differences. Adjusted means considered replication blocks within random fixed effects. These then Pearson correlation tests principal component (PCA), where first two vectors accounted 94.5% 93% explained under control Al-treatment conditions, respectively. Genotypes clustered based morphology response Al-toxicity treatment Euclidean distance Ward’s hierarchical agglomerative clustering method, identifying four distinctive groups significant p < 0.01. intra-cluster lower than inter-cluster distances, indicated heterogeneous homogeneous nature between clusters, results suggest crossing accessions clusters would result maximum genetic segregation. cluster found have higher tolerance others.