Cultivar development of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) for Zimbabwean farmers
1995
Mukoko, O.Z.
The agricultural production structure in Zimbabwe is characterized by a small number of large-scale (6400) and a large number of small scale producers (over 1 million). Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are mainly produced by small scale farmers, large scale farmers concentrating on production of small white-seeded "navy" beans. However, dry bean yields are low, averaging 500-700 kg/ha. A recent farm survey identifed inadequate levels of tolerance to pests, diseases, low soil fertility, drought and competition with weeds as being important constraints to bean productivity. Bean improvement efforts to develop high yielding cultivars resistant to important diseases and pests and also with acceptable seed characteristics are discussed. Improved bean lines have been identified through screening introduced germplasm and segreganing populations and most entries out yielded the local cultivars. A number of high yielding lines have been identified (Carioca, MCM 5001, RAB 332, DOR 275), but they are small seeded and not usually preferred by Zimbabweans. Limited on-farm evaluations have shown that although the "speckled sugar" types have the most preferred seed and culinary characteristics, farmers and consumers also accepted the pinto and carioca types. The bean research programnne aims at making available to farmers small seeded beans.
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