Evaluations and Selection of Improved Common Bean (Phaseulus vulgaris L.) varieties at SNNPR – Ethiopia

Abstract

On-farm farmer’s participatory varietal evaluation and selection methods were applied to select preferred common bean varieties. The study was carried out in Hawassa zuria, Meskan and East Badawacho districts of SNNPR in 2013 cropping season. Objectives were to evaluate beans varieties for yield under farmers’ management conditions and to assess farmers’ preferences on common beans varieties. Six farmers from three districts with two farmers per district participated in beans trials. Also RCBD with twelve plots per replications was used to evaluate twelve released and pre released common been varieties: SER-125, SER-118, SER-48, SER-78, SER-119, SER-180, SER-176, Dume and at MeskanIbado, Etan, Nassir, Red-kideny used as control. Beans were planted on a 5 m × 4 m plot at a spacing of 40 cm × 10 cm. Data were collected and subjected to analysis using ANOVA table in SAS statistical computer software.  Highly significant (P<0.01) differences were observed between varieties in seed per pod, 100 seed weight and grain yield. Farmers developed their criterion to assess the performance and acceptability of beans varieties. To select materials both breeders’ and farmers’ criteria was set to evaluate the materials. The selections and evaluations were done when the crop was close to physiological maturity and also after threshing. Farmers ranked the materials on the basis of the type of material we gave for them. According to farmers’ preference at Hawasazuria and BadiwachoDume&SER-119 while at Meskan district Ibado& SER-125 was selected as the first priority variety while at on station SER-125 and SER-119 ranked high and out yielded than other varieties with an average yield of 3.7 and 3.8 t ha⁻¹ respectively. The GGE biplot identified SER-78, SER-48 and SER-118 as least desirable common bean varieties. While the GGE biplot analysis revealed three varieties Dume, Nassir and SER-180 were the most desirable across locations.  Badawacho and Hawassa on station were identified as best locations for genetic differentiation of genotypes, while location Meskan and Hawassa zuria was the least representative. Introduction of high yielding bean varieties with the desired farmers’ traits is expected to restore beans production and contribute to the improved food security in Southern Ethiopia. SER-125 and SER-119 preferred by farmers with their criteria’s so important to scale-up seed production and delivery in collaboration with various seed partners.

Keywords: common bean, participatory variety evaluation, selection, adoption