Dimensional study of bean seeds in the Juruá Valley region, Acre

Abstract

Morphometric characterization of seeds is essential to optimize crops and understand their size variation among different varieties. Therefore, this study analyzed common bean seeds from the Juruá Valley, aiming to identify variations between the varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna unguiculata and mainly to expand knowledge about their diversity and explore possible applications. The seeds (2023/2024 harvest) purchased from local producers from the Juruá Valley mesoregion, Amazon region, were measured in length, width, and thickness with a digital caliper. The statistical evaluation showed considerable morphometric diversity, with emphasis on the Quarentão and Manteiguinha Roxo varieties, which presented significant variations in width and thickness. The seeds of the common bean varieties from the Juruá Valley present significant dimensional variability between the species of the Phaseolus and Vigna genera. The Phaseolus genus stands out for having larger seeds compared to Vigna. The analysis revealed that the Quarentão and Manteiguinha Roxo varieties, both from Vigna, did not present similar sizes, indicating variability among varieties of the same genus. Gurgutuba Bege (Phaseolus) presented the largest range of length classes, with an average interval of 1.3 mm and predominance in class III (6.5⊢7.8 mm), which corresponded to 55% of the total. These variations were statistically determined and classified by relative frequency, being useful to improve the choice of varieties, which present dimensions directly related to germination and productivity. The morphometric analysis demonstrated differentiated results for the Vigna varieties, mainly in thickness, maintaining similar length and width; this characteristic may occur due to phenotypic particularities caused by the environment.