Evaluation and Stability Analysis of Climbing Bean (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> L.) Genotypes in High Potential Areas of Ethiopia

Abstract

Climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important pulse crop to ensure food and nutritional security in Ethiopia. However, its productivity is below its potential due to use of low yielding local varieties, biotic and abiotic stresses in different growing environments. Limited research was done on climbing bean and a few varieties were developed so far. This study is therefore undertaken to evaluate and identify high yield potential and stable performance. The trial was conducted at Jimma, Metu, Haru, Bako and Pawe during 2019-2020 main crop seasons using randomized complete block design with three replications. The combined analysis of variance showed highly significant difference (P≤ 0.01) among genotypes (G), locations (L), year (Y) and their interaction (G x LxY) for most of the traits. Based on mean grain yield performance of the genotypes over environments, Genotype NUV-54 (G1) scored maximum grain yield (2.67 tha^-1) followed by GenotypeNUV-76 (G15) (2.57 tha^-1), which exhibited a yield advantage of (23.61% and 18.14) and (18.98% and 13.72%) from the checks Dandesu (2.16tha^-1) and Tibe (2.26 tha^-1), respectively. Stability view of GGE biplot showed that G1 and G15 exhibited the first and the second-highest mean grain yield and relatively ideal genotypes and moderate stability to stable across environments, respectively. These genotypesG1 and G15 are characterized by small seed size with red and white seed color, respectively. Fast cooking time is the other major attributes of outstanding varieties G1 (83 minute) and G15 (88 minute).The performance of these two genotypes also showed resistance to common bacterial blight; angular leaf spot and floury leaf spot. These two promising genotypes were promoted to verification plot for official release. Based on the gain yield performance, disease resistance and quality, the National Variety Release Committee (NVRC) approved the release of the first candidate varieties NUV-54 (G1) for commercial production since June 2022.The variety is recommended for Southwest, West and other similar agro ecologies with high rainfall areas of the country.