Abstract

Understanding the genetic basis of traits related to the physiological quality of seeds is a crucial step in developing bean cultivars with superior performance and better adaptation to varying environmental conditions. This study aimed to estimate the components of genotypic variation, identify the predominant gene action, and explore its implications for selecting traits associated with the physiological quality of bean seeds. The genotypes used in the study were derived from the artificial cross between the parents IPR88 Uirapuru and BAF35, with the advanced progenies bulked up to the F5 generation. In the field, progenies from the F2 and F5 generations were experimentally evaluated. After harvest, traits such as seedling length, hypocotyl length, radicle length, and vigor index were assessed in the subsequent generations (F2:3 and F5:6). The distribution of probability density and kurtosis estimates confirmed the quantitative nature of the physiological seed quality traits. Genetic variation was observed in the segregating populations. Heritability estimates (both broad- and narrow-sense) were higher in the F5:6 generation compared to the F2:3, indicating the predominance of the additive genetic component. These results suggest that plant selection in advanced generations (self-fertilization) is more effective for improving seed physiological quality traits.

Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris L., seedling performance, variance components, gene action.