Genetic Variation and Inheritance of Resistance of Leaf Iron-deficiency Chlorosis in Dry Beans

Dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars/lines differed in their iron-deficiency leaf chlorosis response when grown in field trials on a calcareous soil in western Nebraska. The genetic basis of this response was determined. Crosses were made between three susceptible (PI 165078, Navy ‘Tuscola’, and Light Red Kidney ‘Redkloud’) and seven resistant parents (G.N. ‘Valley’, G.N. 1140, G.N. ‘UI 59’, G.N. ‘Emerson’, Pinto EP-1, Pinto ‘Olathe’, and Black Neb-WM1-83-10). The parents, F2, and several F3 progenies were evaluated visually in replicated field trials for leaf iron-deficiency chlorosis. Based on F2 and F3 segregation patterns, it was hypothesized that resistance was controlled by two major complementary dominant genes. The environment also influenced considerably the range in expression of the leaf chlorosis, particularly in the susceptible parents and progenies.