Lima bean (
Phaseolus lunatus
L.) is an important source
of protein for people as it contributes all of the essential
amino acids necessary for humans. In Brazil, lima bean
has a great relevance, mainly in the Northeast, where
it is an alternative income in addition to a food source.
It has a high degree of phenotypic variation for seed
traits, which are important for understanding the genetic
diversity and origin of this crop. We aimed to characterize
166 accessions of cultivated lima bean from Brazil using
qualitative and quantitative descriptors through the Ward-
MLM (Modified Location Model) in order to analize the
organization of the genetic diversity and the origin of this
germplasm. High genetic variability was detected and seed
length and width characteristics were the main contributors
to genetic divergence among the accessions. Results
showed the presence of accessions with characteristics
typical of the Mesoamerican and Andean gene pools, and
another group with intermediate characteristics of these
two gene pools. Our results will be useful to breeding
programs, since currently there is little information on the
genetic diversity and the origin of the lima bean landraces
cultivated in Brazil.
