AGRO-MORPHOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF SOME EXOTIC COMMON BEAN (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.) GENOTYPES UNDER RAINFED CONDITIONS OF ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN

Thirteen exotic and local genotypes of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were evaluated for various agronomic and morphological characters under rainfed conditions of Islamabad, Pakistan during February-May, 2010. Significant differences were found among genotypes for grain yield plant-1, 100-seeds weight, seeds pod-1 and pods plant-1. Local Kashmir excelled all genotypes in grain yield (24.5 g plant-1) while minimum yield (1 g plant-1) was also produced by indigenous cultivar Local Balakot. Exotic cultivars differ significantly for grain yield with maximum 11.4 g plant-1 for Ducato and minimum 1.2 g plant-1 in case of Varigated and 2a-(GB 44004.1-1999). Non significant differences among genotypes were observed for days to maturity. The correlation coefficients illustrate the positive and significant association of grain yield with flowering duration, number of pods-1, and number of seeds plant-1, therefore, these traits should be considered for genetic improvement through selection. Cluster analysis based on different agro-morphic parameters revealed important classification regarding genetic diversity for studied traits among genotype. Local Kashmir and Ducato were proved best among indigenous and exotic genotypes, respectively. The genotypes with high grain yield, biological yield and 100-seed weight were grouped into same clusters and these genotypes could prove useful resources for common bean genetic improvement program through hybridization and as direct introduction after further evaluation in different agro-ecological zones of the country especially in the mountainous areas