Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Grain Legume Genetics Physiology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #305038

Title: Mineral allocation to pod walls and seeds in common bean

Author
item Grusak, Michael
item COGHLAN, CAITLIN - St Edward'S University
item Miklas, Phillip - Phil

Submitted to: Bean Improvement Cooperative Annual Report
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/11/2014
Publication Date: 3/1/2014
Citation: Grusak, M.A., Coghlan, C.J., Miklas, P.N. 2014. Mineral allocation to pod walls and seeds in common bean. Bean Improvement Cooperative Annual Report. 57: 27-28.

Interpretive Summary: Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important source of dietary nutrients, energy, and fiber for humans. Because we are interested in improving the mineral nutritional quality of bean seeds, we have investigated various temporal and spatial aspects of whole-plant mineral transport in an attempt to identify rate-limiting steps. For this study we focused on the role of pod walls in the trafficking of minerals to seeds. We analyzed final mineral content in seeds and pod walls of greenhouse-grown Andean bean lines, in order to identify possible limitations in this process. We also measured the dynamics of mineral flow between pod walls and developing seeds. These profiles are used to discuss strategies for manipulating pod and seed nutrient allocation in bean, in order to enhance seed nutritional quality.

Technical Abstract: Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important source of dietary nutrients, energy, and fiber for humans. Because we are interested in improving the mineral nutritional quality of bean seeds, we have investigated various temporal and spatial aspects of whole-plant mineral transport in an attempt to identify rate-limiting steps. For this study we focused on the role of pod walls in the trafficking of minerals to seeds. We analyzed final mineral content in seeds and pod walls of greenhouse-grown Andean bean lines, in order to identify possible limitations in this process. We also measured the dynamics of mineral flow between pod walls and developing seeds. These profiles are used to discuss strategies for manipulating pod and seed nutrient allocation in bean, in order to enhance seed nutritional quality.