Determination of the outcrossing rate of Phaseolus vulgaris L. using seed protein markers

Abstract

The outcrossing rates of four varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris in Asturias (Northern Spain) were studied using seed protein polymorphisms as genetic markers. No evidence of outcrossing was obtained, and the outcrossing rate of this species at Asturias was estimated, with a confidence of 95%, as being less than 0.74%. The usefulness of seed proteins as genetic markers for obtaining estimates of outcrossing is also discussed.