Origin diversity and utilization of the Cuban germplasm of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

During six years exploration of plant genetic resources in Cuba, 328 bean accessions have been collected, demonstrating the rich germplasm of this crop. A group of 96 representative accessions was studied for 34 morpho-agronomical characters. Principal Component Analysis and Correspondence Factor Analysis were used to compare accessions. Basic seed colours are black (53%), red (25%) and white (0.3%). Probably first bean introductions were large-seeded cultivars with phaseolin type T, which could have arrived with Taino Indians from South America. Races with small black seeds and phaseolin type S are prevailing in Cuban bean germplasm and could have arrived from Mexico, via the Northern coast of South America and the Antilles arch and reintroduced directly from Mexico after the Conquest. The economic importance of Cuban bean germplasm is stressed.