Correlations between seed color and nutritional composition of dry bean

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the relations between seed color (the L, a and b values) and nutritional composition of dry bean genotypes. A total of 39 dry bean genotype seeds which are widely grown in Turkey were used as material. Color tests were made with three replications on 50 seeds of each genotype by color meter. Significant and positive correlations were found between all the tested minerals (Ca, B, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo and P) at the level of p<0.01. Ratio of protein showed a level of p<0.05 positive correlation coefficient with Cu (0.239) and P (0.277). According to the correlation analysis, the color of the seed coat and cotyledon showed insignificant correlations with nutritional composition. For the present study, it can be concluded that the color of common bean seeds did not give sufficient information about mineral composition. Path analysis showed that copper (Cu) and phosphorus (P) were important nutrients at the statistically important level of 5% with the positive correlation values of 0.239 and 0.277, respectively. These elements are important for increase of the protein ratio in common bean genotypes.