Authors : Tura Bareke, Zemede Asfaw and Berhanu Amssalu
Abstract: The study was undertaken to identify the variation of phenological traits among landraces of common bean at field conditions of rift valley of Ethiopia. Twenty four common bean landraces from different geographical areas and agroecological zones were grown in three replications. Five phenological traits were collected using IBPGR protocol. The results of the study revealed that the average fresh pod and seed maturity time of zale wehy were significantly higher (p<0.05) than other landraces. Date of flowering was positively correlated (p<0.05) with fresh pod maturity (r = 0.42) and dry seed maturity time (r = 0.5). The highest diversity (3.17) was found in days to 50% flowering, fresh pod maturity time and dry seed maturity time among landraces while the lowest diversity was found in flowering length. This indicates that there is big variation among landraces in terms of days to 50% flowering, fresh pod maturity time and dry seed maturity time; while flowering length is almost similar for all landraces. Abbajolle, dima tikka, gardoy bushay and dobole took significantly shorter times (p<0.05) to seed maturity. Early flowering and maturing of these landraces may give them comparative advantages to escape terminal drought that frequently occur in semi-arid areas. Therefore, crop breeders could give emphasis to these landraces to monitor and use for future production and for other purposes.
Tura Bareke, Zemede Asfaw and Berhanu Amssalu, 2019. Phenological Traits of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., Fabaceae) Landraces. Plant Sciences Research, 11: 1-7.