Research Article General and specific combining abilities of local common bean varieties and cultivars

Abstract

We examined the general and specific combining abilities of common bean cultivars and varieties and tested promising hybrid combinations for the development of productive strains. Two cultivars (IPR Uirapuru and IPR Campos Gerais) and five local varieties (BGU-1, BGU-7, BGU-13, BGU-25 and BGU-36) were planted in a full diallel cross. Treatments were assessed based on a randomized block design, with 10repetitions. The following variables were assessed: mean number of days still emergence, mean number of days till blooming, mean insertion height of the first pod, mean final plant height, mean stem diameter, mean length of the pods, mean number of pods per plant, mean number of seeds per pod, mean number of seeds per plant, mean weight of 50 seeds and grain yield. A Griffing statistical analysis was performed. Cultivar IPR Uirapuru and the local variety BGU-36 were promising for most variables in the general combining ability. Combinations IPR Uirapuru x BGU-13 x BGU-36 were the most promising in the specific combining ability to generate highly productive strains.