Evaluation of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Varieties for Resistance to Bean Stem Maggot (Ophiomyia spp .) in Kenya

Abstract

Common bean is the most important pulse crop in Kenya, though small scale farmers involved in its farming have limited access to quality seeds resistant to pests such as bean stem maggot, thereby limiting its production from potential yield production of 2000 kg ha -1 to less than 1000 kg ha -1 . This study was therefore aimed at determining effective ways of managing bean stem maggot through identification and selection of resistant commercial varieties for enhanced host resistance. This was achieved through screening levels of resistance among commercial varieties and determining severity and incidence of bean stem maggot infestations. The study was conducted in Kakamega, Njoro and Uasin-gishu. The varieties were planted together with two local checks; KK 8, Tasha, KK