GENETICALLY MODIFIED AND CONVENTIONAL DRY BEAN GENOTYPE RESPONSES TO SOIL FERTILITY

Dry bean is important pulse for the diet of South American population and results related to comparison of genetically modified and conventional dry bean genotypes to soil fertility are limited. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to compare genetically modified and conventional dry bean genotypes to soil fertility. Genotypes evaluated were Olathe Pinto, Olathe 5.1 (genetically modified), BRS Pontal, BRS Pontal 5.1 (genetically modified), Perola and Perola 5.1 (genetically modified). Fertility levels were 1g fertilizer (5-30-15) kg(-1) soil (low fertility level) and 2g fertilizer (5-30-15) per kg soil (high fertility level). These fertility levels were designated as low and high, respectively. Grain yield, number of pods per plants, and seed per pod were significantly increased with the increase in soil fertility. Shoot dry weight, seed per pod, and 100 seed weight were also significantly influenced by genotype treatment. Fertility X genotypes interaction was significant for maximum root length and root dry weight, indicating genotypes responded differently at two fertility levels in relations to these two traits. Shoot dry weight, number of pods per plant, and grain harvest index had significant association with grain yield, indicating that increase in these three traits grain yield can be increased. Grain yield efficiency index (GYEI) was having significant linear association with grain yield. Hence, on the basis of GYEI, genotypes were classified as efficient (E), moderately efficient (ME), and inefficient in nutrient use. Three conventional genotypes (Olathe Pinto, BRS Pontal and Perola) and one genetically modified genotype (Olathe Pinto 5.1) were classified as moderately efficient and two genetically modified genotypes (Perola 5.1 and BRS Pontal 5.1) were classified as efficient. None of the genotypes fall into the inefficient group.