Variability in Yield and Yield Components among Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) Genotypes (Published)
Common bean is an important leguminous crop grown by farmers for home consumption and local market in Lesotho. Its low productivity has been a great concern necessitating introduction of new improved cultivars that are tested for adaptation and yield potential. The study was conducted at National University of Lesotho located in the Maseru District of Lesotho with specific objectives of (1) determining the difference in yield and yield components of common bean genotypes obtained from CIAT and also (2) determining correlation coefficient among the yield components of the genotypes. Randomized Complete Block Design was applied with four replications to lay-out an experiment. Twenty cultivars of common beans obtained from CIAT were used as treatments. Parameters measured were plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and weight of 100 seeds (g). Data generated were subjected to analysis of variance using Genstat recovery version (2015). The results revealed significant differences in number of pods per plant, yield and plant height among twenty cultivars. No significant difference was obtained among different bean cultivars for weight of 100 seeds per pod and number of pods per plant. Number of pod per plant showed a positive correlation between number of seed per pod, plant height and seed weight per pod but had negative correlation with weight per 100 seeds. Seed weight had negative correlation with all components of beans.
Keywords: Common bean, Lesotho, yield component