Meccearly

Bean

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Etna' and 'Meccano'

Summary: The flower bract of 'Meccearly' is small while those of the reference varieties are medium in size. The flower standard of ‘Meccearly' is whitish pink while that of ‘Meccano' is pink. The flower wing of ‘Meccearly' is pink while the flower wing of ‘Etna' is white. At fresh market maturity, the pod of ‘Meccearly' is shorter than that of ‘Etna'. The pod of ‘Meccearly' is thicker than those of the reference varieties. In cross-section, the pod shape of ‘Meccearly' is elliptic while those of the reference varieties are cordate. The pod of ‘Meccearly' has an absent or very weak degree of curvature while that of ‘Meccano' has a weak to medium degree of curvature. The pod beak of ‘Meccearly' is longer than those of the reference varieties. The seed weight for ‘Meccearly' is less than that of ‘Meccano'.

Description:

PLANT: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of hypocotyl, dwarf growth type, determinate growth type, semi-erect attitude of branches

LEAF: medium to dark green on upper side, weak rugosity
TERMINAL LEAFLET: medium sized, triangular to circular shape, long tip

FLOWERING: flowers early to mid-season
INFLORESCENCE: intermediate position (within and above foliage) at full flowering
FLOWER: small bract, pinkish white standard, pink wing

POD: elliptic shape in cross-section, green ground colour of medium to strong intensity, medium density of flecks of red secondary colour, stringiness of ventral suture present, absent or very weak degree of curvature, concave curvature shape, truncate shaped distal part excluding the beak, very thick, beak of medium length, weak curvature of beak, moderately rough surface, absent or very weak pod constrictions at dry stage

SEED: cranberry type, high seed weight, kidney-shaped in longitudinal section, weak curvature, medium elliptic shape in cross-section, medium to broad in cross-section, medium length
SEED COAT: two colours, beige, red spotted secondary colour on entire grain, weak veining

Origin & Breeding History: 'Meccearly' (experimental designation 09RM4/12 and OL415) originated from a controlled cross conducted in the winter of 2007 in a glasshouse in Asti, Italy between two proprietary lines designated n.RM4 and OL12 in the Blumen Group Spa breeding program. The variety was advanced through bulking and single plant selections where one F6 line was designated OL415. Selection criteria included mechanical harvesting qualities, processing qualites and maturity. Breeder seed was established from the F10 generation in 2012.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for ‘Meccearly' was conducted during the 2023 growing season at BlackCreek Research Inc. in Bright, Ontario. The trial was conducted using a RCB design containing 4 replicates per variety. Each replicate consisted of 4 rows spaced 75 cm apart, with a row length of 6 metres. Each plot was 18 metres squared resulting in a total of approximately 1600 plants per variety. Measured characteristics were based on 20 measurements per variety, except seed weight which was based on 4 measurements of 100 seeds each per variety. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student`s t-test. Results were supported by the official UPOV technical examination report 4075093, purchased from the French Group for the Study and Control of Varieties and Seeds in Beaucouzé, France. The trials were conducted by the Variety and Seed Study and Control Group in Brion, France in 2016.

Comparison tables for 'Meccearly' with reference varieties 'Etna' and 'Meccano'

Pod thickness (cm)

Pod beak length (mm)

Seed weight (grams per 100 seeds) (g)

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Bean: 'Meccearly' (left) with reference varieties ‘Etna' (centre) and ‘Meccano' (right)

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Bean: 'Meccearly' (left) with reference varieties ‘Etna' (centre) and ‘Meccano' (right)