Response of common bean progenies for water use efficiency

Abstract

Our aim in this study was to evaluate common bean progenies for water use efficiency (WUE) and verify if selection carried out under conditions without water limitation reflects the selection carried out under stress conditions. Eighty progenies from the BRSMG Talismã x G4280 cross and 80 from the BRSMG Talismã x G6492 cross were evaluated with high water availability (HWA) and low water availability (LWA) in two locations and two years. Genetic variance, heritability, accuracy, expected gain from selection, correlated response to selection, genetic correlation between HWA and LWA and between the two traits evaluated, and risk index in the recommendation (RI) were estimated. Some progenies had a RI close to zero, were tolerant in LWA, and were responsive in HWA. Progenies with high grain yield and WUE could be identified. The two conditions of evaluation were equally efficient for selection, as verified by estimates of expected gains from selection.