Genome-wide association mapping for component traits of drought tolerance in dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

Understanding the genetic basis of traits of economic importance under drought stressed and well-watered conditions is important in enhancing genetic gains in dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). This research aims to: (i) identify markers associated with agronomic and physiological traits for drought tolerance and (ii) identify drought-related putative candidate genes within the mapped genomic regions.

Farmers' perceptions of navy bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production constraints, preferred traits and farming systems and their implications on bean breeding: a case study from South East Lowveld region of Zimbabwe.

Background: Navy bean is an important legume crop in Zimbabwe. Although its production in Zimbabwe is limited by multiple constraints including biotic, abiotic and socio-economic, there is no documented evidence. Thus, this study aimed at identifying farmers' production constraints, preferred traits and cultivars of navy bean, and strategies used to mitigate some of these constraints.

Analyses of African common bean ( L.) germplasm using a SNP fingerprinting platform: diversity, quality control and molecular breeding.

Common bean ( L.) is an important staple crop for smallholder farmers, particularly in Eastern and Southern Africa. To support common bean breeding and seed dissemination, a high throughput SNP genotyping platform with 1500 established SNP assays has been developed at a genotyping service provider which allows breeders without their own genotyping infrastructure to outsource such service.