Genetic variability and association of traits in common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes in Sekota, North Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract Common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L. ) is one of the most important pulse crops in Ethiopia, contributing to income generation and food security. Information on the genetic variability and trait associations of common bean in the Sekota district of north Eastern Ethiopia is inadequate. This study was initiated with the objective of assessing variability, heritability and trait association among 64 common bean genotypes for quantitative traits using 8×8 simple lattice design at Sekota Dryland Agricltural Reseach site, Aybra main research site during 2023 under rain-fed conditions. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using SAS software. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed highly significant variations among genotypes for all the traits considered in the study. The yield ranged from 1633.1 to 3702.10 kg ha −1 with a mean of 2542.53 kg ha −1 . There was a yield advantage of 24.56 to 55.89% over the checks. Pod per plant had high genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, high heritability and genetic advance as the percentage of the mean. A moderate genotypic coefficient of variation coupled with high heritability and high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean was obtained for plant height, the number of branches per plant, 100 seed weight, seed yield, and harvest index. The number of branches per plant, aboveground biomass and harvest index had significant positive correlations on seed yield at the genotypic and phenotypic levels while days to maturity had a significant negative correlation with seed yield at the genotypic level. Generally, the presence of variability and strong positive association of traits among the genotypes were observed in the traits under study at both the genotypic and phenotypic levels. Therefore, selection based on agronomic performance and hybridization on trait correlation could be possible for the improvement of common bean in the study area.