EARLY GENERATION SCREENING OF NAVY BEAN BREEDING LINES BY CANNING QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND PASTING CHARACTERISTICS OF BEAN FLOUR

Two methods (direct and indirect) were developed to screen small sampl es of bean seeds for their canning potential. Both methods were determ ined to be suitable for early generation breeding line testing. The di rect small size can (202 x 214) approach required a minimum of 28.5 g bean solids which was nearly 1/4 of the sample size needed in conventi onal canning quality testing with a 303 x 406 can. High correlation (R 2 = 0.97) was found between canned bean shear texture and pasting torq ue values of whole bean flour (6%, w/w) at selected times/temperatures using a temperature programmed Brookfield Viscometer. The relationshi p between pasting torque and shear quality was promising as a basis fo r establishing selection criteria. The pasting test, which requires on ly 2 g dry bean solids, is suggested as an indirect method for screeni ng bean breeding lines.