GENETIC VARIABILITY OF FABA BEAN (Vicia faba L. ) BASED ON PHENOTYPIC TRAITS AT GUNA DISTRICT, ARSI HIGHLAND OF ETHIOPIA

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is one of the earliest food legumes of the world used as source of high protein for human and animal consumption. In Guna wereda no studies were conducted on faba bean genetic variability and this study is designed to fill this gap. The study was designed to reveal the genetic variability and using phenotypic traits, fifteen accessions were laid out in a Randomized complete block designs (RCBD) with three replications. Each block consisted of 15 genotypes. Each plot was 2m2 and designed to carry 50 plants in five rows spaced 40 cm apart in 2022 main cropping season. From the field investigation the objective achieved were to determine the magnitude and extent of Genetic variability and association of yield characters in faba bean (Vicia faba). The study revealed significant difference among genotyes for all the 13 quantitative characters studied. The genotypes studied showed a wide range of variability for seed yield per plot. The lowest yielding was 5866.67 g/plot and highest 12375g/plot and 12375g /plot for accession NC 58 and Gora & Numan respectively. The pods per plant varied between 16.9 and 28.87 for accession NC 58 and Gebelcho respectively, with an average value of 11.93.The range observed for days to flowering was 46 to 57 days; with a mean of 52.84 days. Accession NC 58 is the lowest and Gora, Hachalu and Tumsa, recorded equally higher values for days to flowering. Days necessary for physiological maturity, ranged from 140 to 158 days, the average being 149 days NC 58 is the earliest genotypes and Hachalu, Chalew & Numan are equally latest genotypes. Large amount of variability was observed with respect several characters studied. Comparatively high PCV (5277) and GCV(5038.8) values were recorded for Biomass yield and followed by number of branches per plant PCV(32.6) and GCV (23.29 ) and seed yield per plot PCV (26.1)and GCV ( 16.63) as well as number of pods per plant PCV (22.26) were recorded. A PCV (20.28) and GCV (17.48) for hundred seed weight first pod from the ground PCV of (19.3) and (15.57) were recorded. Among all the studied traits the lowest value of GCV (4.18) and PCV (3.56) were observed for days to maturity. In several correlation studies conducted, both harvest index and hundred seed weight have high positive association with seed yield. This indicates the progress of these traits can enhance seed yield.The maximum seed yield was obtained from Gora variety was (12375 )g/plot and varietiesNuman and Ashebeka with (12375)g/plot and (12000) g/plot respectably were considered as the second and third alternatives. In other words the least yielding variety NC 58 with (5867)g/plot wasobtained. the best performing variety was Gora, Numan and Ashebek would be obtained except the limitation because of season and location of production.