Genotypic Association of Parameters Commonly Used to Predict Canning Quality of Dry Bean

To select dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties suitable for the canning and processing industry, it is essential to understand the genetic and environmental effects on the quality parameters as well as their associations. A dataset of 6 yr of dry bean quality evaluations in the multi-location provincial registration trials in Ontario, Canada, with data for parameters routinely used by breeding programs to predict the final canning quality of breeding materials was used. Genetic, environmental, and genotype (G) x environmental effects and multi-variable associations were studied using the estimates of the genotypic least squared means for the balanced yearly data and the best linear unbiased predictors (BLUPs) for the overall unbalanced data. Genetic effects, accounting for 35 to 76% of the variation in navy bean and 38 to 88% of the variation in large-seeded bean, followed by location (L) effects, accounting for 11 to 66% of the variation in navy bean and 11 to 64% of the variation in large-seeded bean, were more important than the genotype location (GL) interaction effects for seed composition parameters. This was not the case for physical and texture parameters, where GL interaction effects were often most important. Positive associations were observed among hydration coefficient, can yield, and protein content in the yearly analyses as well as in the multi-year analysis. The negative association between percent washed-drain solids and bean texture after processing was also repeatedly observed over years. The associations reported here may guide further selection efforts in bean breeding programs.