Seed productivity of promising Adzuki bean accessions (Vigna angularis Willd.) under the conditions of the Primorye Region

Abstract

The research findings on adzuki bean accessions (Vigna angularis Ohwi & H. Ohashi, 1969) grown in the steppe zone of the Primorye Region are discussed. In recent years, this crop has been gaining popularity in Russia. Its growing is highly profitable as not only the seeds are suitable for human consumption, but the hay and green herbage may also be used as cattle forage. The adzuki bean is widely grown across Asia where it occupies substantial acreage. The crop is rich in fiber, antioxidants and minerals as iron, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. Currently the main factor limiting large-scale adzuki bean production in the Russian Far East is the lack of varieties adapted to the local environments. The research goal was to make comparative evaluation of adzuki bean accessions and to identify genotypes with high seed productivity and tolerance to the climatic conditions of the Primorye Region for further use in selective breeding programs. The research targets were the breeding lines selected from two local populations. The seed productivity of Vigna angularis lines was determined which ranged from 29.0 to 67.2 g per plant depending on the year conditions and the genotype. The accessions Pri 1-20, Pri 1-36, Pri 1-95, and Pri 2-33 stood out for the highest seed productivity, whereas the accessions Pri 1-75, Pri 1-37, and Pri 1-95 had the maximum pod number per plant (71.1-82.3 pods per plant). The accessions Pri 1-23, Pri 1-65, Pri 2-16, Pri 1-20, Pri 1-36, Pri 1-37, and Pri 1-95 were characterized by the highest seed number per plant (400.2-495.4 seeds per plant).