A study was conducted to discover single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). A total of 1,880 PCR primer pairs were tested, and 265 robust STSs were obtained. These STSs were sequenced in six contrasting common bean genotypes, and a total of 677 SNPs were identified. The frequency of SNPs was 5.16 SNPs/kb and the mean nucleotide diversity was 0.00226.

The SNPs identified in this study are an important resource for common bean geneticists and breeders. They can be used for quantitative trait locus discovery, marker-assisted selection, and map-based cloning. The SNPs can also be used for diversity analysis and microsynteny studies among legume species.

Six contrasting Andean like G19833 and Mesoamerican common bean genotypes were used for SNP discovery. These genotypes are the parents of three common bean RIL mapping populations.

This study represents one of the first efforts aimed at detecting SNPs in common bean. The SNPs identified should be a valuable resource for the common bean research community.