Abstracts Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) is the most important crop in Ethiopia and becoming sixth commodity on Ethiopian exchange floor. But it is not well-studied and introduced especially in eastern Amhara regions. Eastern Amhara region, particularly Kobo district is one of the potential for mungbean production. In this district there is wide irrigable land. Therefore, mungbean becoming the priority crop for crop rotation and to increase the productivity of the area. The objectives of this study was to evaluate the adaptability and yield potential of different varieties under irrigation condition. The trial was conducted in RCB design with three replications in 2010 and 2011irrigation seasons at Kobo. The tested varieties were N-26, VC6173-B-33, Kenya, Shewarobit local 1 and Shewarobit local 2. Significant variation (P < 0.01) was observed for all evaluated traits of mung bean varieties both in 2010 and 2011. The highest yield in 2010 was obtained by Shewarobit local 2 (1539 kg/ha) and N-26 (1527 kg/ha). Similarly in 2011, significantly higher yield was obtained by N-26 and Shewarobit local 2. Among the tested varieties maximum number of pods per plant was obtained by Shewarobit local 1 and 2 both in 2010 and 2011. Maximum number of seeds per pods were obtained by variety N-26 and Shewarobit local 1 in 2010 and 2011.Seed weight is the quality parameter for mung bean to increase the market demand. Significant maximum 1000 seed weight was obtained by varieties Kenya, followed by VC6173-B-33 and N-26 in 2010 as well as 2011. As the combined result showed that, there was significant interaction between varieties by year. All the varieties performance in seed yield and plant height increased during the second year. The probable reason for the increment of plant height and seed yield of the tested varieties in 2011 was less insect damage at seedling stage of the tested varieties. In 2010, the white fly damaged at seeding stage was higher than 2011. Therefore, yield penalty was happen in 2010. To reduced the insect damaged irrigation, hoeing and other cultural practices were conducted, particularly at seedling stages of the varieties to withstand the crop for insect damages. Based on the overall performances, varieties N-26 and Shewarobit local 2 were the superior varieties due to Seed size and color, high yield as well as their earliness characters. Therefore, Varieties N-26 and Shewarobit local 2 has to be recommended for production with better full irrigation and cultural practices for Kobo district and similar agro-ecological zones
Keywords: Eastern Amhara, Varieties, Irrigation, Cultural practices