Author(s): Demelash BB
Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L; 2n=22) is the most important food legume rich in protein, minerals, and vitamins where its protein content is cheap and easily affordable for the famers of the country. The crop plays great role in maintaining the fertility of the soil through fixing atmospheric nitrogen and thus keeping diversity and stability of the agricultural system. Due to its importance, the total area allocated for common bean crop production and the yield obtained in Ethiopia is 357,299.89 ha and 540,238.94 tons respectively. The productivity of white and red common bean is 1.41 ton/ha and 1.59 ton/ha respectively in 2016 planting season. Since 1970s common bean improvement has been started in Ethiopia and since then more than 50 common bean varieties for different traits and for different agro ecologies were released through conventional breeding in Ethiopia. Currently, in common bean breeding; gene pyramiding against common bean diseases like ALS (Angular Leaf Spot), CBB (Common Bean Blight) and anthracnose and diversity assessment for diseases like CBB and ALS has been started using MAS (Marker Assisted Selection) in Southern Agricultural Research Institute at Hawassa. Therefore the aim of this article is to review common bean improvement status and to indicate some improvement gaps in Ethiopia.
