Genetic parameters and combined selection for phosphorus, phytate, iron, and zinc in Mesoamerican common bean lines

The development of common bean cultivars that contain satisfactory minerals and phytate concentrations for the different nutritional requirements of consumers is a new strategy of breeding programs. This work aimed to obtain estimates of genetic parameters for the concentrations of phosphorus, phytate, iron, and zinc in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of Mesoamerican common bean, to study the correlations between these traits, and to select common bean lines for the biofortification program and for diets that require the decrease in the intake of these minerals. The RIL were obtained from the cross between BRS Esteio and SCS 205 Riqueza. Genetic variability and transgressive segregation were detected for all traits evaluated. Heritability estimates for the concentrations of phosphorus, phytate, iron, and zinc ranged from intermediate (h(2): 30.31%) to high (h(:)(2) 98.68%) magnitude, and quantitative inheritance was observed. The phosphorus concentration showed an intermediate correlation estimate with iron (r = 0.4157) and zinc (r = 0.5693) concentrations. Cultivar BRS Expedito and line L 56-17 have a low phytate concentration (<= 1.29%) and a high iron concentration (>= 95 mg kg(-1) of dry matter-DM), and will be selected by the common bean biofortification program. Lines L 59-17, L 31-17, and L 26-17 and cultivars IPR Siriri and BRS Valente have a high phytate concentration (>= 2.57%) and a low zinc concentration (<= 26 mg kg(-1) DM) and will be selected for diets that aim at using the beneficial properties of phytate and reducing the zinc intake.