Genetic Improvement of Protein Quality in Edible Beans with Adaptation to Manitoba

Edible bean has a high protein content, however, its protein quality is considered poor compared with some other crops such as soybean. The key factor limiting the protein quality in edible beans is the sub-optimal content of sulphur-containing amino acids, particularly methionine. Bean germplasm line (SMARC1N-PN1) lacks the major seed storage proteins, leading to increased total cysteine and methionine content. To study the feasibility of improving protein quality while not sacrificing other major agronomic traits in edible beans and develop breeding materials with improved protein nutrition in Manitoba, a cross was made between SMARC1N-PN1 and the locally-adapted navy bean cultivar ‘Morden003’. A recombinant inbred line population was developed via single seed descent in the greenhouse at the Morden Research Station. In 2013, a population of 182 lines were grown at Morden for seed increase. In 2014, the population was grown with three replications at two locations (Morden, MB; London, ON). Amino acid analysis revealed significant increase of sulphur-containing amino acid (cysteine and methionine) concentration in 16 lines that exhibited protein patterns of SMARC1N-PN1. Lines with improved sulphur amino acid and desirable agronomic traits and anthracnose resistance have been identified and will be further tested in yield trials and used in crossing for cultivar development.