Abstract

Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Leguminosae) is a crop widely distributed in all parts of the world. In Ethiopia, common bean is cultivated as a source of protein for local consumption and for export. Mostly, it grows in the warm and lowland areas of the country. The aim of this research was to identify and investigate the performance and genetic potential of P. vulgaris varieties in raya valley of southern tigray. Twelve varieties of P. vulgaris L.were used to evaluate their genetic variation within varieties using randomized complete block design (RCBD) in plot size of 4 x 2.4 m = 9.6 m² with six rows per plot. The data was subjected for analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS PROC GLM (2004) at P<0.05. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant at P ≤ 0.001 among treatments for the 10 variables: Emergence date, stand count after thinning, days to flowering, days to maturity, harvesting date, pod per plant, seed per pod, hundred seed weight, yield per hectare measured, significant (P<0.05) and non significant (P=0.05) for plant height and stand count at harvest, respectively. Among the varieties, Batu variety matures early (77 days) and both Dinkinesh and Lyamungo-85 matures late (100 days). Grain yield per hectare shows low in Dinkinesh variety (320.1 kgha^-1) and highest in Nasir variety (2764.9 kgha^-1) followed by Alpine (2470.8 kgha^-1) and Awash Melka varieties (2145.5 kgha^-1). Therefore, Nasir variety was well performed to Raya Valley condition. Therefore, this variety has to be promoted in farmers field for dissemination and scaling up.

Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris L, common bean, lowland, yield, yield components.