During the season of 1982-83, a collection of sixteen local and
introduced field bean varieties were assessed in two locations to eval
uate the genotypic and phenotypic variability, genetic coefficient of
variation, heritability, genetic advance under selection, genotypic and
phenotypic correlations.
Significant location mean squares were detected for all traits.
Mean squares due to genotype and genotype X location were highly sig
nificant for flowering date, number of branches, number of pods per
plant, 100-seed weight and seed yield per plant. For other traits1
however, mean square due to genotypes was highly significant along
with insignificant genotypes X locations interaction.
High relatively associated values of G. C. V. %, heritability and
A were obtained for all traits, except number of seeds per pod,
first flowering node, and flowering date, indicating that selection for
these traits could be effective in improving field bean varieties.
Genotypic correlation coefficients in most cases were comparatively
higher than their corresponding phenotypic coefficients. Highly signific
ant and positive correlations were obtained between seed yield per plant
and each of seed weight, plant height, first fruiting and flowering node.
Also, highly significant positive correlations were detected between seed
weight and each of number of seeds per pod, plant height, first fruiting ,
and flowering node. Hence, the four traits viz. 100-seed weight, plant
height, first fruiting and flowering node could be effective aids to
improve seed yield in field bean.