Interpretation of Features of Seed Productivity of Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L. Savi) of Different Ripeness Groups in Breeding for Early Ripeness

Abstract

Increasing the potential of seed production has always been a priority and a necessity in breeding programs. However, the productivity of common bean varieties is a complex trait. It depends on the genotype, its morphological features, and resistance to major diseases, pests, and abiotic stressors. The basis of our research lies in the targeted study of the main elements of productivity, their contribution to the seed yield, and the limits of their variability. Experiments were conducted in the rotation of the Laboratory of Legume Crop Breeding of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Federal Scientific Center of Legumes and Groat Crops” (FSC LGS) on the plots of 6 m². We carried out analyses, records, and evaluations following the methodological guidelines. The research objects are collection specimens of the Federal Research Center N. I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources and the varieties bred in the FSC LGS. The research results (2018–2020) allowed us to identify the main elements of the crop structure and their sources: by the number of beans and seeds per plant—Nerussa, k-15665, and Strela; by weight of seeds per plant—Dnepropetrovskaya bomba, k-15714, and k-15665; by weight of 1000 seeds—Rubin and Markiza. Based on the assessment of the vegetation period and following the “Classifier …, 1984,” we graded the plants into the following ripeness groups: mid-season (81–90 days)—46.7%, early-season (65–70 days)—13.3%, middle-early (71–80 days)—20%, and full-season (91–100 days)—20%. The main criterion for evaluating productivity was the seed yield from the area (t/ha). In the three years of the research, the maximum yield of seeds was obtained in the mid-season variety Strela—2.95 t/ha, which is 0.55 t/ha higher than the standard (Heliada—2.40 t/ha).