Evaluation of Common Bean (Phaseolous vulgaris L.) Varieties for the Reaction of Common Bean Anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum) at Sirinka, Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

Abstract

Common bean (Phaseolous vulgaris L.) is the most important food legume consumed as source of protein and cash crop in Ethiopia. The production of the crops is constrained by biotic and abiotic factors. Common bean anthracnose caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is a major production constraint in common bean growing regions of Ethiopia. Field experiment was conducted at Sirinka Agricultural research center during 2017/18 main cropping season to evaluate reactions of common bean varieties to the disease. The experiment consisted of twenty two common bean varieties evaluated for the reaction to anthracnose under natural infestation conditions. The highest disease severity (58%) was recorded from Awash-1 variety while the lowest disease severity (45%), was recorded from Awash Melka variety at final assessment day. The highest (3.03 t ha-1) yield was recorded from Awash Melka variety while the lowest (0.97 t ha-1) yield was recorded from KAT-B1 variety. From the present study, it is possible to conclude that, the advantage of screening resistant verities increases the opportunity to select for a broad range of anthracnose resistance and help to know the variability of the common bean anthracnose disease.