Phaseolus vulgaris L. species, known as “judía” or “alubia” in Spain, is a traditional crop with great socioeconomic importance. This species, native to America, has adapted to different climatic, edaphic and use conditions in the Iberian Peninsula, which is considered as a secondary diversification area. Bean is one of the species with the greatest number of landraces maintained by farmers.

These landraces are mainly used for personal consumption and for sale in local markets. Some of these varieties, provided with exceptional features, are protected by labels like “Protected Geographical Indication” and “Protected Designation of Origin”. Several Spanish and international research teams work about different issues on this crop, for which variation sources are required.

The National Plant Genetic Resources Centre (CRF) has the responsibility to conserve and exchange the grain legumes national active collection, where bean collection is included. Nowadays, bean collection contains almost 3.500 accessions. In order to facilitate the utilization of this germplasm, a great deal of work has been done to the creation of a representative collection (core collection) of the total diversity.

This activity has been developed through several projects financed by INIA’s Plant Genetic Resources Activities, with the participation of researchers from SERIDA in Asturias, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, the Biological Mission of Galicia-CSIC in Pontevedra, Leon University, Institute for Food and Agriculture Technology of Castilla y León in Valladolid, Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development (NEIKER – Tecnalia) and the Institute for Research and Farmer, Agricultural and Food Development (IMIDRA).