Characterisation and evaluation of wild and primitive bean populations

Abstract

The common bean is one species of a wide distribution and whose domestication, diversification and origin centers, can be established down in Central America and in the Andean area of South America. The provinces of the Argentinian northwest (NOA) represent the southern limit of this Andean center, where there can be found a great varietv in primitive (Phaseolus vulgaris, L.) and wild forms (Phaseolus vulgaris var. aborigineus (Burk.) Baudet). Some wild forms are considered to be direct ancestors of the common bean and thev are characterized by traits tvpical of predomesticated forms, being a very important source of genetic variability.