NOTE - Genetics of phosphorus content in common bean seeds

The common bean is an important source of minerals and protein in human nutrition. The objective of this studywas to investigate possible maternal effects on phosphorus contents in seeds of the common bean, to estimate the heritability in earlyhybrid generations for the phosphorus content character and to evaluate the potential for genetic improvement. The controlledcrossings were performed among Pérola x Guapo Brilhante and TPS Nobre x Guapo Brilhante cultivars. Reciprocal F1, and F2generations as well as backcross populations were produced by each hybrid combination. The range of variation in phosphoruscontent among tested progenies was from 3.38 to 5.78 g kg-1 dry matter, and no significant maternal effect was discovered. Narrowsense heritability was of an intermediate 65.54% to low 21.37 % value. An increase of 19.17 % was obtained for phosphorus contentin the seeds using just the three parents tested in this study.