Abstract: Fresh pods of common bean contain a variety of anti-nutritional factors，lectin is one of the main endogenous toxins. It can cause poisoning phenomena while improper eating. In this study，the contents of lectin in fresh pods were detected in 121 selected common bean cultivars，the genetic variations were analysed，the screening range was enlarged with extreme low and extreme high lectin content. The results revealed significant difference of lectin in the tested cultivar population（P < 0. 01），its coefficients of variation（ CV ）was 98. 34%. Meanwhile，contents of lectin in all cultivars ranged from 0. 005 mg/g to 1. 330 mg/g，and the mean value was 0. 412 mg/g. The cultivar frequency distribution curve showed a main peak and nearly normal distribution，but slightly long on dual-tails，which demonstrated the distribution of cultivars with extreme low or high level on lectin. Therefore，three cultivars containing less lectin were identified. It will provide experimental basis and data support for genetic improvement and rational utilization of non endogenous toxicity germplasm.

Key words: common bean, cultivar, lectin