Registration of ‘Bella’ White‐Seeded Common Bean Cultivar

‘Bella’ (Reg. No. CV‐321, PI 681720) is a multiple disease–resistant white‐seeded common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar adapted to the humid tropics developed and released cooperatively by the University of Puerto Rico Agricultural Experiment Station and the USDA‐ARS. Bella combines resistance to Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), Bean golden yellow mosaic virus (BGYMV), common bacterial blight, and web blight. The performance of Bella was evaluated across 5 yr in eight environments in Puerto Rico. It tolerated higher temperatures and performed well in soils with low fertility. Bella was developed by pedigree selection to the F 7 generation based on superior agronomic traits (early maturity, erect plant architecture, and good pod set) and commercial seed type. Marker‐assisted selection was used to identify the presence of the bgm‐1 gene and the SW12 quantitative trait locus for resistance to BGYMV and the I and bc‐3 genes for resistance to BCMV and BCMNV. Greenhouse inoculations were used to confirm the presence of the I and bc‐3 genes and to screen the line for reaction to strains of common bacterial blight. Mean seed yield of Bella was comparable to the check cultivars. Bella produced among the highest yields in the Bean Adaptation to Stress Environments (BASE) trials planted at Isabela, PR. Bella should allow the successful production of common beans in Puerto Rico throughout the year in soils with lower N fertility. It should also be useful as a parent to enhance the virus, common bacterial blight, and web blight resistance of white, small red, and black beans.