PHENOLOGICAL AND MORPHOMETRIC VARIATION OF PHASEOLUS VULGARIS (FABACEAE) FROM FIVE WILD POPULATIONS OF DURANGO, MEXICO

Background: The morphometric and phenological variation of the wild common beans from Durango, Mexico has been little explored. The ex situ records of phenological and morphometric attributes, germination and yield of common bean from five wild populations of Durango, Mexico was determined. Besides, the in situ and ex situ comparison of morphometric characters of the same populations was carried out. Hypotheses: Genetic and environmental factors have contributed in a variable way to the phenotypic differentiation of wild common bean. Studied species: Phaseolus vulgaris L. Study site and dates: Five locations in Durango, Mexico. September 2018 to November 2019. Methods: Ex situ phenological, morphometric, germination and yield data were registered. Morphometric characters were compared in situ and ex situ. Data were subjected to ANOVA, principal components, cluster and canonical correspondence. Results: Most of the morphometric features of pods and seeds had a genetic determinism revealed. Altitude was the main environmental factor that determined patterns of interaction with provenance. Scarification favored higher germination potentials in wild beans than a cultivated variety analyzed as a reference. In general, the ex situ conditions stimulated the development of larger pods, seeds and leaves, and more seeds than the in situ conditions. Conclusions: Different attributes of the wild populations of P. vulgaris analyzed have responded variably to environmental changes, mainly in altitude, through genotype-environment interactions. That variation provides a basis for understanding the adaptive potential and supporting conservation programs and the development of cultivars.