Performance Evaluation and Adaptability of Improved Faba Bean (Vicia Faba L.) Varieties in the Highlands of North Shewa Zone, Oromia

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted at Degam, H/Abote, D/Libanos, Jida and Wachale districts of North Shewa Zone, Oromia region, Central Ethiopia with the objectives of evaluating adaptable and best yield performing improved Faba bean varieties for further demonstration and scaling up during the main cropping season of 2020, 2021 and 2022. The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. In the experiment, thirteen improved faba bean varieties and one local control were used to evaluate their performance. Parameters like seed yield (qt/ha), 1000 seed weight in gram, number of pod per plant, number of seed per pod, plant height (cm) were measured to assess the actual field performances of different faba bean varieties. The data were analyzed by R software. Grain yield and most of yield components were significantly affected by main effect of variety, environment and interaction of variety and environment. The results revealed that there were significant (P < 0.01) variations between the varieties for yield. Higher yield was recorded on Welki and Ashebeka varieties while low yield was recorded from Tosha and Shalo. In addition the stability analysis indicated that as the mean of grain yield is more stable across locations as compared to other variety. Also, in this study it was found that there is 24.5 % and 19.1% increment of yield using of Welki and Ashebeka variety respectively as compared to local variety at the study area. Therefore, farmers located at the study area are recommended to use those varieties to increase faba bean production yield.