Common bean is an important legume crop having high quality protein, micronutrients, vitamins and antioxidants, which makes it a “grain of hope” for poor communities. Hence, a good number of breeding activities have been performed on the improvement of various key traits for years. However, recent advancements in molecular markers, sequencing technologies and the completion of the common bean genome sequence have opened numerous opportunities for fine mapping and gene characterization. The availability of these tools together with investigations of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and candidate genes for key traits such as morpho-agronomic, iron and zinc contents, cooking and quality traits, antioxidant activity, biotic and abiotic stresses pave the way to the development of new strategies for common bean genetic improvement. As a food source, it can contribute to the reduction of food scarcity worldwide in the coming years. Therefore, it is very important to take synergic efforts to integrate common bean genetic and genomic resources in breeding activities to ensure food security and contribute significantly to improved livelihoods in developing countries. Moreover, Kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) and CRISPR-Cas9 should be used to develop climate resilience common bean varieties. Here, we provide an overview of the evolution of common bean research by highlighting the past and recent advances in genomics, transgenics, transcriptomics and proteomics and also critically discuss the future prospects for further genetic improvement and better expansion of this crop.

Common walnut (Juglans regia L.) is a globally important nut crop valued for its nutritional and economic benefits. Despite Türkiye’s importance as a walnut producer, molecular characterization of local genotypes, particularly from historically cultivated regions such as inner Anatolia remains limited. This study assessed the genetic diversity of 18 walnut genotypes from the inner Anatolia region, Türkiye using two molecular marker systems, including Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The polymorphic bands were scored to calculate Jaccard similarity coefficients. Genetic relationships were analyzed using UPGMA dendrograms and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). A total of 72 bands (54 polymorphic; 75.0%) were generated by nine ISSR primers, and 53 bands (42 polymorphic; 79.2%) by five RAPD primers. Both marker systems indicated moderate genetic diversity within the genotypes. Genotypes ‘G3’, ‘G6’, and ‘G9’ had identical banding patterns (similarity = 1.00), likely attributable to their proximate geographic origin and same propagation history, whereas ‘G12’ and ‘G14’ were identified as genetically different. Population structure analysis demonstrated consistent clustering patterns, revealing both homogeneous and admixed genotypes. The Mantel test demonstrated a strong correlation (r = 0.81, p < 0.05) between genetic matrices derived from ISSR and RAPD, verifying marker congruence. The results highlight the effectiveness of using ISSR and RAPD markers as an economical method for evaluating genetic structure in under-characterized germplasm. The identification of genetically different genotypes is crucial for conservation and breeding techniques aimed at enhancing traits and genetic resilience in walnuts.

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is extensively cultivated in Turkey and holds significant cultural and economic value. However, genetic characterization of grape genotypes from lesser-studied regions such as Inner Anatolia remains incomplete, limiting conservation and breeding efforts. This study addresses this critical knowledge gap by utilizing ISSR (inter simple sequence repeats) and RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) molecular markers to comprehensively assess genetic diversity and relationships among grape genotypes from the Divriği district in Sivas province, Turkey. Eight ISSR and eight RAPD primers were used, revealing considerable genetic variation. The ISSR primers produced a total of 88 polymorphic bands, with primer UBC-810 producing the highest number of bands (15). Similarly, RAPD primers generated 68 polymorphic bands and the highest number of bands (13) were produced by OPA-18 marker. The UPGMA dendrogram analysis using ISSR data revealed two primary genetic clades, with similarity indices between 0.212 and 0.816. Similarly, RAPD analysis also produced two main clusters, exhibiting genetic similarity indices between 0.164 and 0.912. Principal component analysis (PCA) corroborated the dendrogram groupings from both ISSR and RAPD analyses, exhibiting consistent clustering and strengthening the dependability of both marker systems. Significant genetic differentiation was observed among the tested grape genotypes, highlighting the presence of genetically distinct individuals. Genotypes ‘G7’, ‘G1’, ‘G9’, and ‘G10’ demonstrated significant genetic divergence, suggesting them as crucial candidates for conservation efforts. This genetic diversity likely reflects historical cultivation practices, natural selection, mutation accumulation, and potential introgression from wild populations. The results indicate the significance of integrating molecular markers into grapevine breeding and conservation efforts. Both ISSR and RAPD markers proved successful in genetic characterization, yielding significant insights into grapevine genetic resources. These findings are essential for sustainable viticulture practices, the preservation of genetic diversity, and future grapevine improvement initiatives in Turkey.

Çalışma süresince, gıda güvenliğini tehdit eden ağır metallerin in vitro koşullarda biber (Capsicum annuum L.) bitkisinin gelişimi üzerine etkileri incelenmiştir. Çalışma kapsamında, beş farklı konsantrasyonda yedi değişik ağır metal, MS (Murashige ve Skoog 1962) besin ortamına eklenmiştir. Kullanılan ağır metaller kadmiyum (Cd), kobalt (Co), nikel (Ni), alüminyum (Al), kurşun (Pb), krom (Cr), bakırdır (Cu) İçerisinde hiç ağır metal bulunmayan ortam kontrol grubunu oluşturmuş ve diğer ortamlar 100 µM, 200 µM, 300 µM, 400 µM ve 500 µM konsantrasyonunda ağır metal içerecek şekilde hazırlanmıştır. Çalışma süresince, tohum gelişimi, yaprak sayısı, kök uzunluğu ve sürgün uzunluğu parametreleri incelenmiştir. Çalışma sonuçları değerlendirildiğinde, artan konsantrasyonlarda kobaltın tohum gelişiminden başlayarak, yaprak sayısı, kök gelişimi ve sürgün gelişimi üzerinde durdurucu etkiye sahip olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Kromun 500 µM konsantrasyonu tohum gelişimi açısından faydalı olmuştur. Yaprak sayısı, kök ve sürgün gelişimi açısından, kromun artan konsantrasyonları, hiç krom içermeyen kontrol grubuyla kıyaslandığında aralarında fark bulunmamıştır. Krom ağır metalinin biber bitkisinde büyüme ve gelişmeyi etkilemediği önemli bir sonuçtur. Kurşunun artan konsantrasyonlarına bitki içerisinde bulunduğu fizyolojik büyüme dönemine göre farklı tepkiler vermiştir. Çalışma sonuçları, ağır metallerin zarar boyutunun bitkinin içerisinde bulunduğu gelişme dönemine, ağır metalin cinsine ve ortamda bulunan konsantrasyonuna göre farklılık gösterdiğini ortaya koymuştur.

Biofortification has emerged as an important approach for improving minerals and vitamin deficiencies through the application of agronomic and biotechnological methodologies. Vitamin A, one of the most deficient vitamins, disproportionately affects children in developing countries, highlighting the urgent need for vitamin A-enriched cultivars. The present study aimed to characterize common bean germplasm for vitamin A contents and to identify the genomic regions associated with this trait. A total of 177 common bean landraces and 6 commercial cultivars were evaluated under five environments and two locations. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant environmental effects and genotype × environment interactions. Across all years and all locations, Bilecik-6 exhibited the lowest vitamin A contents (1.67 µg/100 g dry seed), while Civril-Bolu had the highest (3.23 µg/100 g dry seed). Landraces from Balıkesir province were found to be rich in vitamin A content and should be considered as potential genetic resources for common bean biofortification. Additionally, a genomic region located on Pv06 was identified as being linked to vitamin A content. The genomic and genetic resources identified in this study will be valuable for the breeding community aiming to develop vitamin A-enriched common bean cultivars.