Gemstone

Bean

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Erimo' and 'Baoquin'

Summary: The stem of ‘Gemstone' is long while those of the reference varieties are of a medium length. When 80% of the pods are ripe, the pod of ‘Gemstone' is light brown while that of ‘Erimo' is medium brown. The plants of ‘Gemstone' mature later than those of the reference varieties. The seed of ‘Gemstone' has a high length to width ratio while the seed of ‘Erimo' has a medium length to width ratio. The seed of 'Gemstone' has a light red ground colour while that of ‘Baoquin' has a dark red ground colour. The seed weight of ‘Gemstone' is greater than the seed weight of ‘Erimo' and less than that of ‘Baoquin'.

Description:

PLANT: absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration of the hypocotyl, bushy growth type, matures late in the season

STEM: absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration, long

LEAF: medium to dark green on upper side
TERMINAL LEAFLET: absent or very shallow lobing

FLOWERING TIME: mid-season
FLOWER: yellow standard, yellow wing
POD: light brown, secondary colour absent

SEED: adzuki bean type, high length to width ratio, medium to high seed weight
SEED COAT: light red ground colour

Origin & Breeding History: 'Gemstone' (experimental designation A18HR064) originated from a controlled cross conducted in 2016 at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario between the varieties ‘Erimo' and ‘Baoquin'. The variety was advanced with F4 selections made in 2018 based on high pod number, plant architecture and maturity. An F5 line was designated A18HR064 in 2018 and evaluated in preliminary and advanced yield trials respectively in 2019 and 2020. Breeder seed was established at the F9 generation in 2023.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'Gemstone' were conducted during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons at the University of Guleph Elora Crop Research Station in Elora, Ontario. The trial included 2 replicates with the plots arranged in a RCB design. Each plot consisted of 2 rows, both 5.5 metres in length and spaced 60 cm apart. The seeding density resulted in approximately 400 plants per variety per year. Measured characteristics were based on 40 measurements per variety per year except for seed weight which was based on 8 measurements per variety per year. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison tables for 'Gemstone' with reference varieties 'Erimo' and 'Baoquin'

Days to maturity (days from planting to when 80% of pods are ripe)

Seed weight (grams per 100 seeds) (g)

Click on image for larger view

Bean: ‘Gemstone' (centre) with reference varieties ‘Baoquin' (left) and ‘Erimo' (right)