Seeds quality characteristics of dry bean local populations (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) from National Center for Plant Genetic Resources in Radzików.

The twenty four dry bean local populations together with two check Prosna and Raba cultivars were tested for their physicochemical as well as hydration and cooking quality parameters. There were significant differences between tested dry bean local populations in all evaluated traits. Wide variation were observed in 100-seed weight, hydration capacity, swelling capacity and electric conductivity with CV% values 33.6, 32.5, 33.1 and 35.3 respectively, suggesting that there were considerable levels of genetic diversity. Substantial variations were found in seed coat content (CV% 14.1) and cooking time (CV% 16.7) among dry bean populations. Cooking time was negatively correlated with conductivity of soaking water as well as with hydration index. POLBIA 98-37A, POLBIL 10-31, Prosna, KOS 002 and KRA 4 were the fast cooking ones among the tested genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]