Abstract:
Snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is among the leading vegetables in Kenya that
is mainly grown for export with the potential to increase household income. There
are few programs in Kenya that focus on breeding new cultivars for increased
production. The development of snap bean varieties that are resilient to the
changing climate is crucial for sustainable agriculture in Kenya. To achieve this,
knowledge of gene action, trait expression, and heritability is vital in effective
breeding for quantitative traits like pod quality and yield. A study was conducted to
investigate the inheritance of pod quality and yield traits in snap beans, which can
inform the breeding of snap beans. A half diallel cross involving two indeterminate
dry beans (G2333 and MCM 5001) and five determinate snap beans (Amy,
Moonstone, Seagull, Serengeti and Vanilla) varieties was conducted. Data on pod
traits (pod weight per plant, pod number per plant, pod length, pod diameter, pod
wall fiber and pod suture string) were collected from 21 F1s and 7 parents grown in
two locations (Embu and Kirinyaga Counties) in Kenya. The results showed
significant genotypic and environmental effects (P < 0.001) for all traits, with
significant genotype by environment (G × E) interactions for most traits.
Additionally, general combining abilities (GCA) and specific combining abilities
(SCA) were significant for all traits evaluated. The significance of GCA and SCA
indicated the importance of both additive and non-additive gene effects in
controlling the traits, although the additive gene effects were predominant. The
study revealed that Vanilla and Serengeti had the highest GCA estimate for pod
quality traits, while G2333 and MCM5001 had the highest GCA estimate for pod
yield traits. Snap bean pod yield and quality are quantitative traits controlled by
multiple genes and influenced by the environment. Therefore, the predominance of
additive gene effects suggests that selection for these traits in segregating
generations could yield satisfactory gains. The results of this study could impact
the development of snap bean varieties that are more resilient to the effects of
climate change. Thus, improving the sustainability and productivity of the
agriculture sector in Kenya.
