Molecular markers are useful tools for breeding for disease resistance in common bean. Resistance gene pyramiding, a strategy for durable resistance, can be facilitated by marker-assisted selection (MAS).

A range of French common bean cultivars were used in this study, including Aiguille Vert, Adagio, Masaï, Talisman, Ardinal, Argus, Corel, Fruidor, Janus, Calypso, Coktel, Filao, Vilbel, Cupidon, and La Victoire. Genotypes derived from INRA breeding programs, such as AFN, EO2, My, and TO, were also included. Cornell49242 is a line from Venezuela in which the Co-2 gene was first identified. G2333 were provided by CIAT is a germplasm accession of Mexican origin which is resistant to a broad range of C. lindemuthianum strains.

Based on phaseolin electrophoretic profiles and genealogical data, Adagio, AFN, Aiguille vert, Ardinal, Argus, Calypso, Coktel, Corel (G7553), Cupidon, Filao, Fruidor, JaloEEP558 (G9603), Janus, La Victoire, Masaï, Talisman, and Vilbel belong to the Andean gene pool, whereas BAT93 (G51294), Cornell49242 (G5694A), EO2, G2333, My (G14839), and TO (G15971) have a Mesoamerican origin.

This information is useful for understanding the genetic diversity of the bean lines used in the study. It is also important to note that the Co-2 gene is located in the Mesoamerican gene pool, so the authors were particularly interested in identifying markers that are polymorphic in both the Mesoamerican and Andean gene pools.