Participatory variety selection and promotion of improved faba bean (Vicia faba L.) varieties in the highland areas of North Shewa, Ethiopia

Abstract Faba bean is the most important pulse crop in Ethiopia; however, its productivity has low and susceptible to biotic and abiotic stresses. The objective of this study was to select and promote varieties that most preferred by farmers and showed best agronomic performances. Participatory variety selection was conducted with seven improved and local faba bean genotypes using randomized complete block design with three replications. The agronomic data were collected from four central rows. The trial was conducted in Hagre Mariam woreda during 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons. Highly Significant variation was observed among the tested varieties in days to flowering (50 to 56), 100-seed weight (39.16 to 91.62 grams), grain yield (1.88 to 3.03 t ha-1) and faba bean gall disease percent severity index (11.10 to 30.67%). Significant difference was also detected in days to maturity (135 to 141) and plant height (83.27 to 106.57cm). The highest grain yield was recorded by Hachalu (3.03 t ha-1) followed by Walki (2.92 t ha-1) and Numan (2.86 t ha-1). Among the tested varieties Walki got farmers’ high preference score indicating it fulfilled farmers’ varietal selection criteria including, long plant height, high grain and straw yield, high no. of pods/plant and no of seeds/pod, big seed size, early maturity and better adaptability in the area. Accordingly, Walki was pre scaled up and widely disseminated. During the scaling up Walki gave an average grain yield of 2.64 t ha-1 and showed about 107.9% grain yield advantage over the local cultivar.