Location: Sugarbeet and Bean Research
Project Number: 5050-21430-012-023-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 24, 2025
End Date: Jul 31, 2028
Objective:
To genotype a popping bean genetic panel, phenotype for photoperiod sensitivity, popping ability, and lectin content, conduct genome analysis, identify genes responsible for the popping trait.
Approach:
A popping bean diversity panel will be created and composed of the complete collection available from the National Plant Germplasm System, breeding lines, and Andean bean germplasm. Genotype by sequencing will be used to genotype the panel. Lines will be pheotyped for popping ability, photoperiod sensitivity, and lectin content. Popping ability will be measured in three ways: popping dimension index; expansion coefficient; and percentage of unpopped seeds. Lectin activity will be measured on popped seeds using a phytohemagglutinin assay. Genome wide association analysis (GWAS) combined with quantitative trait analysis will be conducted identify markers connected to traits. A complementary approach will be to use the biparental populations to construct linkage maps and place quantitative trait loci. Approximately 200 individuals of each of three populations will be genotyped and phenotyped as described above for GWAS. Software will be used to construct linkage maps and to perform analysis. The output of the mapping will be a dataset of loci and associated molecular markers that provide position and magnitude of the effects across the genome.
A candidate gene search will be conducted based on knowledge of gene pathways for the traits involved and gene models found within the significance genomic interval. Once genomic regions associated with different traits are identified, they will be evaluated for use in marker-assisted selection during our breeding efforts to target development of elite cultivars with specific genotypes and phenotypes.