Genetic architecture of iron and zinc concentration and identification of candidate markers for biofortification in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) populations.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important source of dietary iron and zinc and plays a vital role in food and nutritional security, particularly in Burundi and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Improving the micronutrient content of common bean through genetic biofortification requires an understanding of the genetic factors controlling mineral accumulation in the grain. This study, entitled “Genetic Architecture of Iron and Zinc Concentration and Identification of Candidate Markers for Biofortification in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Populations,” investigated the genetic architecture of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in common bean germplasm, with the aim of identifying genomic regions and candidate markers potentially useful for biofortification breeding. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) analyses were conducted using filtered and imputed single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype data and corresponding phenotypic measurements of grain Fe and Zn concentrations. A mixed linear model (MLM) implemented in TASSEL was used to assess marker–trait associations while accounting for population structure and genetic relatedness among accessions. The analysis identified 16 significant Fe-associated SNPs distributed across chromosomes Pv01, Pv04, Pv06, and Pv07. Linkage disequilibrium-informed candidate-gene analysis using genomic windows of ±100 kb around the significant SNPs identified 145 unique putative candidate genes potentially involved in biological processes associated with iron accumulation and homeostasis. The findings provide genomic resources for further investigation and validation of candidate markers and genes associated with grain iron concentration in common bean. The results may support marker-assisted selection and the development of nutritionally improved bean varieties, subject to further validation. This Zenodo record provides the supporting research data and analysis files associated with the study, including genotype data, phenotypic data, GWAS results, and candidate-gene information, as applicable to the files deposited in this record. These resources are intended to promote transparency, reproducibility, and reuse in common bean genetics, genomic research, and biofortification breeding.