Abstract

This experiment was conducted to evaluate 36 common bean genotypes including seven released varieties to generate information on the extent of genetic variability, heritability and expected genetic advance of yield and yield related traits. The field experiment was conducted in 2015 at two locations (Abaya and Yabello) and genotypes were planted in triple lattice design. Data were collected on yield and important agronomic traits. The estimated genotypic (GCV) and phenotypic (PCV) coefficient of variations ranged from 4.82 to 9.85% and 7.03 to 12.93%, respectively for combined analyses. The PCV values were relatively greater than GCV in magnitude for all traits, of which the magnitude of the differences were large for grain yield, seeds number per plant and number of primary branches, but was relatively low for plant height and number of seeds per pod. Broad sense heritability ranged from 18.29 to 58.6%, and genetic advance as percentage of mean ranged from 4.25 to 14.42%. Only plant height and seed number per pod had moderate heritability coupled with relatively high genetic advance values.

Key words: Genotypic coefficient of variation, phenotypic coefficient of variation, broad sense heritability, genetic advance as percentage of mean.