Author(s): Fitsum Alemayehu
In 2013 mehere season Participatory variety selection (PVS) trials were conducted in Goba wereda of Halaba zone in the Southern region of Ethiopia to evaluate the performance of released Bio-fortified common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties and to assess farmers’ criteria for bean variety selection and thereby identify the relevant criteria used by farmers for upcoming bean improvement work in the region. Ten varieties were used for the study. Mother and baby design was employed and the trials were replicated over farmers. Tafache –SAB-632 was the best variety followed by Ibado, but the farmers’ selection criteria were beyond yield and most farmers gave priority for qualitative traits. Accordingly, five qualitative traits were ranked by farmers as the best criteria that are better than yield. These are seed color, maturity period, adaptability of warm weather, disease and pest resistance, marketability and seed size. Almost all farmers in the study area preferred Tafache –SAB-632 as a number one variety due to its seed color (Sugary bean), seed size (large), demand in the market (high), Erect growth habit, early maturity (<90 days) and relatively good yield (>3 tons ha-1). The red speckled variety Ibado also was ranked second due to its seed color and marketability. Therefore, our future bean improvement program should target promotion of the selected varieties and developing varieties that fulfill farmers’ preferences especially for Lowland adaptation, home consumption, local and export market.
