Exploiting Variability and Inter-trait Association among Yield and Quality Traits in Pole Type French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Abstract

French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important leguminous vegetable crop valued for its digestible protein and tender green pods. The present investigation evaluated 125 pole-type French bean genotypes during the Rabi season of 2021-22 at the College of Horticulture, Bengaluru, Karnataka, to assess variability, inter-trait association and direct effects of component traits on pod yield. Twenty-four growth, yield and pod quality traits were recorded and analysed. Considerable variability was observed for most characters, indicating substantial diversity among the evaluated genotypes. Phenotypic coefficients of variation were slightly higher than genotypic coefficients of variation for most traits, suggesting a limited environmental influence under protected cultivation. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was reported for days to first harvest, pod length, pod width and total soluble solids. Pod yield per plant showed its strongest significant positive association with average number of pods per plant (0.842), followed by average pod weight (0.632) and pod length (0.632), whereas it showed significant negative associations with fibre content (-0.275) and pod width (-0.391). Path-coefficient analysis indicated positive direct effects of number of pods per plant (0.580), pod length (0.307) and average pod weight (0.187) on pod yield per plant. These traits may be useful selection criteria for improving pod yield in pole-type French bean.