Agronomical traits associated with salinity-tolerance in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

Agronomical traits associated with salinity-tolerance in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Identifying multiple agronomical parameters associated with salinity-tolerance is important for evaluating common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars and improving their tolerance to salinity. Six cultivars were grown in soil, under glasshouse conditions and exposed to three salinity levels (control, 25 and 50 mM NaCl) to evaluate their tolerance using their biomass and the relative salt-susceptibility index: I.S.R.S. = D.R.B./I.I.S. (D.R.B.: relative biomass deficit and I.I.S.: salinity intensity index). On the other hand, a comparative field trial was conducted at four experimental stations of INRAT (Ariana, Oued Beja, Oued Meliz and Sejnane) during three consecutive years with sixteen cultivars to determine their grain yield stability, grain size and precocity. Results showed that tolerant cultivars are colour-seeded, early and presented yield stability and medium grain size. By contrast the susceptible cultivars are late, white-seeded and characterized by a less stable yield and small to medium grain size.