Performance Evaluation and Diversity Analysis in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Germplasm

The present study was undertaken to evaluate common bean genotypes for maturity, growth, and yield traits with the purpose of identifying genotypes with high yielding ability. Hundred common bean genotypes including 5 checks were evaluated in an augmented block design. In terms of maturity, SK-B-38 was earliest to mature, while SK-B-21 and SK-B-25 were late maturing. Plant height ranged from 37.14-174.83 cm. Pod length, number of pods per plant, pod yield per plant, number of seeds per pod and seed yield per plant ranged between 7.62-17.44 cm, 7.90-20.87, 38.18-154.91 g, 3.01-7.61 and 8.12-43.72 g respectively. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all characters under study, indicating a high degree of variability in the material. The highest pod yield per plant (154.91 g) and number of pods per plant (20.88) were recorded in the genotype SK-B-10. The highest number of seeds per pod (7.61) and highest seed yield per pod (43.72 g) were observed in SK-FB-35 and SK-B-49 respectively. Cluster analysis grouped the studied genotypes (100) into three clusters with a variable number of genotypes in each cluster. The genotypes grouped in cluster II and cluster III had highest mean value for number of pods per plant, seed yield per plant and pod yield per plant which can be employed as potential donors in upcoming crop enhancement initiatives.