Pattern of variation in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) genetic resources of Jammu and Kashmir

Three hundred genotypes of rajmash were evaluated in Augmented Block Design during 2011. Morphological characterization revealed that the accessions could be grouped into two distinct classes, pigmentation on the neck of flower and pod tip. Maximum classes were observed in case of pod colour (9) followed by seed coat colour (8), primary color of wing petal (6), seed coat pattern (5) and primary color of standard petal (5). Highest frequency was recorded in case of stripes on neck of flower (89.33%) followed by pigmentation on neck of flowers (87.33%), pod colour at maturity (76.33%), pod colour (76.00%) and central vein colour (75.00%). Mean performances of accessions was less than checks for days to flowering, days to maturity, seeds per pod, 100-seed weight and seed yield per plant whereas reverse was recorded for plant height, pods per plant and pod length. There were significant differences between checks and accessions and between accessions for all the traits. It indicated presence of substantial amount of variation among the test entries.