Performance evaluation of common bean [Phaseolus vulgaris (L.)] varieties for yield and yield components at Jinka, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted on the research field of Jinka Agricultural Center, South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia using eighteen improved common bean [Phaseolus vulgaris (L.)] varieties under rainfed conditions from 2019 to 2020 main cropping seasons. The objective of the study was to select the best performing common bean varieties in the target areas. The common bean varieties were eight red types, five speckle/mottled, and five white/creamy (SER125, DRK, DAB107, ROR1, KATB9, Remede, Hawassa Dume, Tatu, SAB632, Redwolyita, GLP2, Deme, Brazil2, KATB 1, Awash Metene, SAB736, Awash2, Wajo). The experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The combined analysis of variance results showed that there were significant differences observed among the common varieties for all the studied traits. Based on the pooled mean over years, the seed yield ranged from 1338.867 kg ha-1 for the variety DAB107 to 3069.867 kg ha-1 for the variety SER125. The maximum seed yields of 3069.867 kg ha-1 for the variety SER125, 2845.600 kg ha-1 for the variety Deme, and 2825.267 kg ha-1 for the variety Tatu. The grain yield advantages of 45.46, 41.16, and 40.73% were obtained from the improved varieties SER125, Deme, and Tatu, respectively over the standard check variety namely Hawassa Dume. Therefore, the common bean varieties such as SER125, Tatu, and Deme could be recommended for the study area and other similar agro-ecologies, however, further research should be done to put the recommendation on a strong basis.