Performance Evaluation of Released Haricot Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Varieties Under Irrigated and Rainfed Conditions in the Somali Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a vital legume crop in Ethiopia, serving as a key source of protein, energy, and income for smallholder farmers. This study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance, yield, and yield-related traits of six nationally released haricot bean varieties under irrigated and rainfed conditions at two sites in the Somali Region, Fafen and Dollo-Ado, during the 2021 and 2022 cropping seasons, respectively. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was employed. Data on phenological, morphological, and yield attributes were collected and analyzed using GenStat software. The results revealed significant varietal differences in major agronomic traits across both sites. At Fafen, the variety Seri 119 recorded the highest grain yield (1,484 kg/ha), while at Dollo-Ado, Seri 125 exhibited superior performance with the highest yield of 2,142 kg/ha. In contrast, Awash-2 and Awash-Mitin were the lowest-yielding varieties at the respective locations. These findings indicate that Seri 119 and Seri 125 are well adapted to the agro-ecological conditions of Fafen and Dollo-Ado, respectively, and hold promise for improving haricot bean productivity in the Somali Region. The results support targeted variety recommendations and underscore the importance of site-specific variety selection. Further multi-location and multi-year evaluations are recommended to confirm the consistency and stability of these varieties across diverse environments.