Evaluation of common bean varieties ( L.) to different row-spacing in Jimma, South Western Ethiopia.

This study evaluated the effect of row spacing on growth, yield and yield components of common bean varieties at Jimma. The objectives of the study were (i) to evaluate the best performed common bean variety (ii) to determine the optimum row spacing for different common bean varieties under the test environment. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in factorial arrangement with three replications. A combination of three common bean Varieties (Nasir, Goberesha and Local Asendabo) and row spacing at four levels (30, 40, 50, 60cm) were used as experimental treatments. Leaf number was significantly varied between the varieties; whereas row spacing significantly influence leaf area index. The main effect of row spacing and the interaction effect did not show significant influence on both. Hundred seed weight and number of seed per pod were varied between the varieties and row spacing. Hundred seed weight was increased with row spacing. Pod number per plant, nodule number per plant, grain yield and harvest index was significantly affected row spacing, variety and their interactions. Grain yields increased with plant population assuming a parabolic curve to the plant density of both determinate varieties at 40cm row spacing. The highest yield for variety-Nasir and variety-Goberesha were observed at40 cm row spacing; whereas the highest yield for the local variety was recorded at 50 cm row spacing.