Variation in Calcium Concentration among Sixty S1 Families and Four Cultivars of Snap Bean(Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

To assess nutritional potential, pod yield, and Ca concentration of pods and foliage were determined for a snap bean population, which included sixty S 1 families plus four commercial varieties. The experimental design was an 8 × 8 double lattice, repeated at two locations (Arlington and Hancock, Wis.). Snap beans were planted in June 1993 and machine harvested in August 1993. Calcium analyses were made using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Significant differences were detected in pod Ca concentration and yield among the S 1 families. Pod size and Ca concentration were inversely correlated (R = 0.88). Distinct differences between the locations were not observed, and higher Ca genotypes remained high regardless of location or pod size. Low correlation (R = 0.21) between pod and leaf Ca concentration was found. Pods of certain genotypes appeared to have the ability to import Ca more efficiently than others, but this factor was not related to yield. Green leafy vegetables rank as relatively good sources of Ca (Macrae et al., 1993) in addition to milk and dairy products (Ensminger and Robson, 1983). Among 39 major fruit and vegetables analyzed for nutritional value, snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) ranked third for Ca content (Stevens, 1974). The snap bean is one of the major vegetables grown in the United States; in 1992 it was fourth among all vegetables, with a production value of $239,033,000 (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 1992). Because about 30% of teenage boys and 25% of teenage girls are likely to include snap beans in their diet (Pao et al., 1982), snap beans are a potentially significant source of dietary Ca. Previous nutritional studies involving snap beans grown in the United States have revealed a wide range of concentrations for the 18 elements analyzed, including Ca (Mills and Jones, 1979). Crop variability in acquisition and use of essential elements is common (Gerloff et al., 1966). This study was designed to determine 1) the extent of genetic variability in pod Ca concentration in a breeding population of snap bean and 2) the relationship between pod Ca concentration and pod size and leaf Ca concentration. OC. HORT. SCI. 121(5):789–793. 1996. or publication 19 Dec. 1995. Accepted for publication 14 May 1996. conducted at the Univ. of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison Wis. We the technical assistance of Kenneth Kmiecik and the constructive of Dennis P. Stimart, Jack E. Staub, and two anonymous reviewers. upported by the Graduate Research Committee at the Univ. of Wisconon, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Hatch Act funds and n government. This work has also been funded in part with federal funds .S. Dept. of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service under cooperaent 58–6250–1–003 to M.A.G. The contents of this publication do not reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, nor does trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement . government. The cost of publishing this paper was defrayed in part by t of page charges. Under postal regulations, this paper therefore must be rked advertisement solely to indicate this fact.