INHERITANCE OF REACTION TO METOBROMURON HERBICIDE IN COMMON BEAN (PHASEOLUS-VULGARIS L)

Metobromuron is an important preemergence herbicide normally applied to the soil surface to control mainly annual broadleaf weeds in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production. Sometimes, herbicide splash during severe rainstorms injures bean seedlings. Differential cultivar response to metobromuron is known. Inheritance of reaction to metobromuron was studied with two insensitive cultivars of cranberry bean-Taylor Hort and Ul 51 -by crossing with a sensitive bean cultivar-Midnight. The reaction was controlled by a single dominant gene present in both insensitive cultivars. Insensitive plants recovered quickly from the injury. A single recessive gene, hmb, has been assigned for control of metobromuron-sensitive reaction.