The objective of this research was to determine the amino acid composition of early generations in common bean developed from controlled crossings with high cysteine content parental and to identify plants with high cysteine content. 'TPS Nobre' x 'Minuano' were crossed and the F1, F1 reciprocal, F2, F2 reciprocal, backcross 1 e backcross 2 generations were obtained. The amino acid contents were determinated by liquid chromatography of high performance (HPLC) and the data were submitted to analysis of variance and cannonical variables. The cysteine, proline, tyrosine, arginine, isoleucine and histidine contents showed genetic variability between the parents and the generations. The essential and nonessential amino acids contents obtained from the parents, F1 and F1 reciprocal generations were appropriate to be consumed. Other generations showed deficiency of the sulfur amino acids. The two first cannonical variables explained 96.43% of the total variation of the genotypes and two groups were formed. None of the plants of the F2 generation is able to be selected by program of improvement to the development of segregating populations of common bean with high cysteine content.
protein quality; sulfur amino acids; genetic variability; cannonical variables
