Participatory Variety Selection of Fababean ( Vicia faba L.) for Yield and Yield Components in Gunabegemidir District, North Western Ethiopia

Full text

Science Development
2023; 4(4): 63-70
http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/scidev
doi: 10.11648/j.scidev.20230404.11
ISSN: 2994-7154 (Online)
Participatory Variety Selection of Fababean (Vicia faba L.)
for Yield and Yield Components in Gunabegemidir District,
North Western Ethiopia
Alamir Ayenew
*
, Dejen Bikis, Solomon Sharie, Yasin Taye, Zewdu Addisu
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Fogera National Rice Research and Training Center (FNRRTC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Email address:
*
Corresponding author
To cite this article:
Alamir Ayenew, Dejen Bikis, Solomon Sharie, Yasin Taye, Zewdu Addisu. Participatory Variety Selection of Fababean (Vicia faba L.) for
Yield and Yield Components in Gunabegemidir District, North Western Ethiopia. Science Development. Vol. 4, No. 4, 2023, pp. 63-70.
doi: 10.11648/j.scidev.20230404.11
Received: July 12, 2023; Accepted: July 26, 2023; Published: November 17, 2023
Abstract:
Present studies were executed in Gunabegemidir districts in North Western Ethiopia to assess the
performance of Fababean varieties and evaluate farmers' selection criteria for Fababean variety choice, and classify the
principal farmers’ criteria in the study area. Seven Fababean varieties were evaluated in randomized complete block
design with three replications in the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 main rainy seasons. Farmers' evaluation of Fababean was
made at different stages of the crop, at flowering, at maturity, and at harvest. Farmers’ confirmed Plant establishment,
Overall performance, Stem strength, Number of branches, Seed size, and plant height were identified as the most
important farmer's selection criteria. Statistical analysis showed that Fababeans varieties were significantly (P<0.05)
different by grain yield at Ata Kebele in the 2021 cropping seasons. The highest grain yield was obtained from Hachalu
(3516 kg ha
-1
) variety at Ata Kebele. Hence, including farmers’ preferences in a variety selection process is a paramount
important. Therefore, based on considerately measured parameters, farmers’ preferences the Fababean varieties Gora
(4901 kg ha
-1
), Numan (4279 kg ha
-1
), and Ashebeka (4364 kg ha
-1
) were selected for the study area. Among the seven
tested Fababean varieties, those varieties were found sound adapted at Gunabegemidir district in the farmer's selection
criteria. Therefore, farmers are recommended to use those varieties for production and expand in the next season for
similar agroecology of the South Gonder zone.
Keywords:
Fababean, Participatory Variety Selection, Gunabegemidir, Grain Yield
1. Introduction
Ethiopia is the second largest Fababean producer country
in the world next to China (FAO, 2019). The total
cultivated area of Fababean reached 504,569.99 hectares
with a total production of 10,706,365.38quintals with an
average national yield was 21.22quintals per hectare [4].
Fababean is the dominant pulse crop in Ethiopia in terms of
area coverage and amount of production [3]. It is mainly
cultivated in mid and high-land areas with an elevation
ranging from 1800-3000 meters above sea level. It is grown
in different agro-ecologies receiving average annual rainfall
ranging from 700-1100 mm with a daily temperature of 10-
22
o
C. Fababean plays a great role in the people's lives of
the farming communities of Ethiopia as a source of food
and feed [1].
Fababean is the most important cool-season food legume
grown in the highlands of Ethiopia [12]. The crop has
multiuse and is consumed as dry seeds, green seeds, or
processed food. Its products are rich in protein in the human
diet, while dry seeds, green haulm, and dry straw are used as
animal feeds [7].
Over the years, many Fababean varieties have been
evaluated and released by national and regional agricultural
research centers. However, farmers do not grow improved
high-yielding varieties, disease and pest resistant as these

64 Alamir Ayenew et al.: Participatory Variety Selection of Fababean (Vicia faba L.) for Yield and Yield Components in
Gunabegemidir District, North Western Ethiopia
varieties were released without the participation of farmers in
considered areas. And also, they have no sufficient
information about agronomic practices and the economic
importance of the released Fababean varieties [2]. Therefore,
the experiment was conducted to evaluate Fababean varieties
for yield and yield components and to participate farmers for
varietal selection by setting their criteria at Gunabegemidir
district at Ata and Awuzet Kebeles.
2. Material and Methods
2.1. Site Description
The experiment was conducted at Gunabegemidir district
in farmers' fields during the 2021 and 2022 main cropping
seasons. Gunabegemidir has an altitude of 2770 m. a. s. l, in
South Gondar Zone. The average annual rainfall and
temperature of Gunabegemidir are about 1750 mm and
17.0°C respectively. The major soil types are clay loam.
Figure 1. Experimental Site.

Science Development 2023; 4(4): 63-70 65
2.2. Experimental Material
Seven Fababean varieties Tumsa, Hachalu, Dosha,
Ashebeka, Gora, Numan, and local check released from
Holeta agricultural research center and local cultivars were
used as experimental material. The varieties were laid out in
a randomized complete block design with three replications.
Each variety was planted in 10 rows with a 4m x 4m plot size,
0.4m spacing between rows, 1.5 m between replications, and
1m between plots. The gross plot area is 16m
2
. The land was
prepared and plowed by oxen two times. DAP fertilizer was
applied at a rate of 100kg ha
-1
during sowing.
2.3. Data Collected
2.3.1. Plant Basis
The number of pods per plant was recorded by counting
the number of pods present on the main stem and branches in
each five randomly selected plans. The number of seeds per
pod was valued as the number of seeds per pod; the average
number of seeds per plant was divided by the average
number of pods per plant. Plant Height was taken as the
average height of five randomly selected plants in each net
plot measured in cm from the ground surface to the top of the
main stem at physiological maturity.
2.3.2. Plot Basis
Days to 50% flowering: number of days taken by each
variety from the day of sowing to the day on which 50
percent of the plants on a plot opened a flower. Days to
maturity: Number of days from sowing to the stage when
90% of the plants in a plot have changed the color of their
pods from green to lemon yellow. The grain yield was
weighed using an electronic balance per plot and converted
into kg/ha for each variety in three replications then
adjusted to 10% of moisture content. Thousand-seed weight:
the well-dried and cleaned seeds from each variety were
taken randomly and counted, weighed, and recorded in
grams. The farmer's evaluation and selection were collected
from single plot observation on the farmer's field. Farmers'
perceptions of plant establishment, overall performance,
stem strength, number of branches, and seed size were
taken as the rate of 5= very good, 4= good, 3= average, 2=
poor, and 1 = very poor.
2.4. Data Analysis
The collected data were analyzed using R statistical
software. Mean separation was carried out using the Least
Significant Difference (LSD) test at a 5 % probability level
[8]. Farmer's selection data were analyzed using a simple
ranking method by the given value [5].
The linear mixed model was used in the analysis of
variance combined over locations.
Y
ijk
=µ+g
i
+e
j
+bk
(j)j
+ (ge)
ij
+ε
ijk
Where: Y
ijk
=the response of Y trait from the i
th
Varieties,
grown in the k
th
block of j
th
location.
µ=Grand mean
g
i
=The effect of the i
th
varieties
e
j
=The effect of j
th
location
bk (k) j=The effect of k
th
rep in j
th
location.
3. Result and Discussion
The combined analyses of Fababean varieties from Ata
and Awuzet kebeles in the Gunabegemidir district showed
highly significant varietal differences at (p ≤ 0.01) in days
to flowering, days to maturity and hundred seed weight and
significant varietal differences at (p≤ 0.05) in the number of
pods per plant and the number of seeds per pod. The
location effect exposed that highly significant variation (p ≤
0.01) for days to flowering, days to maturity, plant height,
number of pods per plant, hundred seed weight, and grain
yield. But, Location by variety interaction showed a non-
significant difference for days to maturity, plant height,
number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant,
hundred seed weight, and grain yield, except stand count at
harvest and days to flowering. Year by location by variety
interaction showed a non-significant difference for days to
flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of pods
per plant, hundred seed weight, grain yield, and plant height,
except for the number of seeds per pod and stand count at
harvest. This indicates that the Fababean varieties
responded similarly to Ata and Awuzet kebeles. So the
combined analysis showed a clear picture of the tested
location (Table 1).
3.1. Number of Pods Per Plant
Statistical analysis showed that Fababean varieties
significantly (P<0.05) affected the number of pods per plant
at Ata Kebele in both two consecutive cropping seasons.
Whereas a Non-significant difference was observed among
Fababean varieties for the number of pods per plant at
Awuzet Kebele in the 2021, and 2022 cropping seasons
(Tables 3 and 5). The maximum number of pods per plant
was recorded from Hachalu (11.8) and Dosha (11.4) varieties
at Ata Kebele. Whereas the smallest number of pods per
plant was recorded at Gora (8.4) variety at Ata Kebele in the
2021 and 2022 cropping seasons (Tables 2 and 4).
3.2. Number of Seeds Per Pod
Statistical analysis showed that fababean varieties
significantly (P<0.05) affected the number of seeds per pod
at Ata kebele in both two consecutive cropping seasons
(Tables 2 and 4). Whereas a non-significant difference was
observed among Fababean varieties for the number of seeds
per pod at Awuzet kebele in 2021, and 2022 cropping
seasons (Tables 3 and 5). The maximum number of seeds per
pod was recorded from the local check (3.27) variety.
Whereas the smallest number of seeds per pod was recorded
at Numan (2.8) and Tumsa (2.73) varieties at Ata kebele in
the 2021 cropping season (Tables 2). The maximum number

66 Alamir Ayenew et al.: Participatory Variety Selection of Fababean (Vicia faba L.) for Yield and Yield Components in
Gunabegemidir District, North Western Ethiopia
of seeds per pod was reported from Hachalu (4.00) variety at
Ata Kebele in the 2022 cropping season (Table 4).
3.3. Plant Height
Statistical analysis showed that Fababean varieties were
significantly (P<0.05) affected by plant height at Ata and
Awuzet kebele in the 2022 cropping seasons (Tables 4 and 5).
Whereas, Non-significant difference was observed among
Fababean varieties for plant height at Awuzet and Ata kebele
in the 2021 cropping season (Tables 2 and 3). The maximum
plant height was recorded from Tumsa (140) variety.
Whereas, the shortest plant heights were recorded at Numan
and Local check varieties with 128.86 and 125.73cm height,
respectively at Ata kebele in 2022 cropping seasons (Table 4).
The highest plant height was recorded from Tumsa (107.2)
variety. Whereas, the shortest plant heights were recorded at
Hachalu and variety with 87.53cm, respectively at Awuzet
kebele in 2022 cropping seasons (Table 5).
3.4. Days to Flowering
A significant difference (P<0.05) was observed among
Fababean varieties for days to flowering at Ata Kebele and
Awuzet Kebele in the 2021 cropping season (Table 1). The
longest days to flowering were recorded from Hachalu
(107.3), Dosha (107.3), and Numan (107.7) varieties.
Whereas the shortest days to flowering were recorded from
Local check (104.3) and Ashebeka (104.3) varieties at Ata
Kebele in the 2021 cropping season (Table 2). On the other
hand, the maximum number of days to flowering at Awuzet
Kebele was observed from Dosha (107.0) and Numan (104.3)
varieties, while the lowest was recorded from Tumsa (104.3)
varieties in the 2021 cropping season (Table 3). In agreement
with this result [16] reported the longest days of flowering
were obtained for the variety Hachalu. The maximum
number of days to flowering was recorded from Gora (100.67)
and Numan (100.33) varieties. While the minimum days to
flowering were recorded from the Local check (95.33)
variety at Ata Kebele in the 2022 cropping season (Table 4).
A non-significant difference was observed among Fababean
varieties for days to flowering at Awuzet Kebele in the 2022
cropping season (Table 5). Generally, this result indicates
that varieties like Numan, Hachalu, and Dosha are late
flowering varieties, while local check and Tumsa are early
flowering varieties at both locations in two consecutive years
(Tables 2, 3, and 4). According to the researchers [10, 14, 13]
reported similar results.
3.5. Days to Maturity
A significant difference (P<0.05) was observed among
Fababean varieties for days to maturity at Ata Kebele in the
2021 cropping season (Table 2). The non-significant
difference was observed among Fababean varieties for days
to maturity at Awuzet Kebele in 2021, at Ata Kebele in 2022,
and At Awuzet Kebeles 2022 cropping season (Tables 2, 4,
and 5). The longest days to maturity were recorded from
Hachalu (159) varieties at Ata Kebele in the 2021 cropping
season (Table 2). Similar results lined by [16, 6] reported the
longest days to maturity from the variety of Hachalu.
3.6. Hundred Seed Weight
A hundred seed weights of Fababean varieties were
significantly (p<0.05) affected in both locations and two
consecutive years. The maximum hundred seed weight was
recorded on Gora (111.1), and Numan (116.5) varieties at
Ata kebele. While the lowest hundred seed weight was
recorded on Dosha (87.17) variety at Ata Kebele in the 2021
cropping season (Table 2). According to the research [16]
Gora variety was provided with a higher hundred seed weight.
On the other hand, the maximum hundred seed weight at
Awuzet was recorded from Numan (116.2) and Tumsa (94.73)
varieties. While the minimum hundred seed weight was from
local check, and Dosha varieties with an average hundred
seed weight of 88.33 and Dosha respectively in the 2021
cropping season (Table 3). The maximum hundred seed
weight was recorded on Numan (115.93), and Tumsa (94.27)
varieties at Ata kebele. While the lowest average hundred
seed weight was recorded on Dosha (86.9) and local check
(88.33) varieties at Ata kebele in the 2022 cropping season
(Table 4). On the other hand, the maximum hundred seed
weight at Awuzet was recorded from Numan (108.57)
varieties, while the minimum hundred seed weight was from
local check, Dosha, and Hachalu varieties with an average
hundred seed weight of 78.8gm, 83.9gm, and 82.42gm
respectively in 2022 cropping season (Table 5). Tewodros T
et al. [13] reported that hundred seed weights ranged from
the smallest to local check and showed highly significant
differences among the tested varieties. Similar results lined
the study of Ashenafi M and Mekuria W. [3] who reported
that the varieties evaluated in the study showed significant
variation in the test weight of the seeds. A similar result was
in line with [11] reported that the Tumsa variety was a higher
hundred seed weight.
3.7. Grain Yield
Statistical analysis showed that Fababean varieties were
significantly (P<0.05) different by grain yield at Ata kebele
in 2021 cropping seasons (Table 3). Whereas, Non-
significant difference was observed among Fababean
varieties for grain yield at Awuzet 2021, at Ata 2022, and at
Awuzet 2022 cropping season (Tables 3, 4, and 5). The
maximum grain yield was harvested from the Hachalu
variety which is (3516 kg ha
-1
) at Ata kebele (Table 2). While
the lowest grain yield was recorded at the Gora variety with
an average grain yield of 2060 kg ha
-1
(Table 2). The result
was in line with Tewodros et al., (2015) who reported that
the highest yield was obtained on Hachalu varieties.
Contradict to this result, Mitiku A, et al., 2015 and [16] Gora
variety was provided the higher grain yield.

Science Development 2023; 4(4): 63-70 67
Table 1. The mean squares for different sources of variation for fababean varieties studied at Guna Begemidir District, 2021 and 2022.
SOV SH DF DM PH NPPP NSPP GY HSW
Rep 1705.15
ns
7.048
ns
2.30
ns
419.17 * 5.59
ns
0.480 ** 791293.2ns 39.56
ns
Loc 9578.68 ** 629.762** 3963.44 ** 1200.07 ** 63.44 ** 0.008
ns
44403022.9** 304.57**
Yr 23366.68 ** 128.762 ** 293.44
ns
794.27 ** 18.11
ns
0.008
ns
30292666.9** 335.80 **
Var 1833.27 *
21.111 ** 25.75 ** 127.88
ns
19.91 * 0.211 * 701060.8
ns
1418.38**
loc*yr 10.01
ns
640.762 ** 11.44
ns
14339.36 ** 462.01 ** 1.493** 165488622.7** 253.59 **
loc*var 1583.46 * 7.095 * 1.16
ns
83.74
ns
8.14
ns
0.089
ns
829327.7ns 15.55
ns
yr*var 1306.12
ns
0.873
ns
1.16
ns
114.08
ns
3.53
ns
0.178 * 789725ns 14.78
ns
loc*yr*var 2481.96 ** 1.095
ns
1.16
ns
28.65
ns
4.48
ns
0.341 ** 660729.2ns 16.62
ns
Error 661 2.35 6.07 94.62 378.67 0.07 702654 29.14
Mean 256.7 104.83 164.91 118.25 12.98 3.05 2759 97.7
CV 10 1.46 1.49 8.22 20.38 8.84 30.37 5.39
R
2
0.69 0.92 0.93 0.79 0.67 0.65 0.87 0.86
SOV=Source of variation, rep=replication, loc=location, Yr=year, var=variety,*=significant difference at p<0.05, **=highly significant difference at p<0.01,
ns=non-significant difference, SCH= stand count at harvest, DF=days to flower, DM=days to mature, NSPP=seeds per pod, PH=plant height, NPPP=number
of pods per plant, GY= grain yield, HSW= hundred seed weight
Table 2. Means the separation of yield and yield components of fababean PVS at Ata kebele, Gunabegemidir district, 2021 cropping season.
Variety SH DF DM PH NPPP NSPP GY HSW
Ashebeka 256.3
bc
104.3
c
156.7
ab
117.1
a
10.4
abc
2.93
ab
2646
ab
105
bc
Dosha 237.3
c
107.3
a
152.00
ab
108.3
a
11.4
ab
3.07
ab
2937
ab
87.17
d
Gora 249
bc
106.7
ab
157
ab
110.3
a
8.4
c
3.00
ab
2060
b
111.1
a
Hachalu 302
a
107.3
a
159
a
119.7
a
11.8
a
2.80
b
3516
a
95.27
cd
Local check 255.3
bc
104.3
c
155.7
ab
108.7
a
10.7
abc
3.27
a
2542
ab
88.67
d
Numan 286.3
ab
107.7
a
155.7
ab
110.7
a
9.0
bc
2.80
b
2643
ab
116.5
a
Tumsa 255
bc
105
bc
154.7
ab
109.4
a
10.6
abc
2.73
b
2440
ab
95.33
cd
GM 263 106.1 155.8 112 10.24 2.94 2683 99.87
CV 8.17 0.94 1.92 6.00 14.40 8.00 20.72 5.74
R
2
0.65 0.77 0.51 0.59 0.52 0.57 0.65 0.85
GM=grand mean, CV= coefficient of variation, SCH= stand count at harvest, DF=days to flower, DM=days to mature, NSPP=seeds per pod, PH=plant height,
NPPP=number of pods per plant, GY= grain yield, HSW= hundred seed weight
Table 3. The means separation of yield and yield components of fababean PVS at Awuzet kebele, Guna Begemidir district, 2021 cropping season.
Variety SH DF DM PH NPPP NSPP GY HSW
Ashebeka 266.33
bc
105.7
ab
171.33
a
137.60
a
15.33
a
3.00
a
3828.1
a
104.50
bc
Dosha 306.00
ab
107.0
a
168.67
a
127.40
a
17.67
a
3.00
a
4114.6
a
87.00
d
Gora 237.67
c
105.3
ab
170.33
a
121.33
a
14.67
a
3.00
a
3906.3
a
110.80
ab
Hachalu 300.33
ab
106.7
ab
172.33
a
129.13
a
18.00
a
3.33
a
4010.4
a
95.07
cd
Local 327.67
a
106.0
ab
169.00
a
133.45
a
17.33
a
3.00
a
4114.6
a
88.33
d
Numan 261.67
bc
104.3
a
170.66
a
127.45
a
15.00
a
3.33
a
4036.0
a
116.20
a
Tumsa 286.33
abc
104.3
b
169.67
a
138.13
a
14.67
a
3.00
a
4244.0
a
94.73
a
GM 283.71 106 170.29 130.6 16.67 3.19 4036.46 99.53
CV 11.64 1.33 1.36 8.32 14.97 10.45 7.8 5.78
R
2
0.57 0.53 0.32 0.61 0.43 0.59 0.25 0.85
GM=grand mean, CV= coefficient of variation, SCH= stand count at harvest, DF=days to flower, DM=days to mature, NSPP=seeds per pod, PH=plant height,
NPPP=number of pods per plant, GY= grain yield, HSW= hundred seed weight
Table 4. The means separation of yield and yield components of fababean PVS at Ata kebele, Gunabegemidir district, 2022 cropping season.
Variety SH DF DM PH NPPP NSPP GY HSW
Ashebeka 246.67
a
95.67
bc
161.33
a
134.73
ab
14.67
ab
3.00
b
4364
a
104.53
bc
Dosha 238.33
a
99.33
abc
158.66
a
132.06
ab
13.33
ab
3.00
b
5820
a
86.90
d
Gora 199.33
b
100.67
a
160.33
a
135.00
ab
10.00
b
3.33
b
4901
a
110.83
ab
Hachalu 222.67
ab
99.67
ab
162.33
a
129.80
ab
19.00
a
4.00
a
3928
a
94.60
cd
Local 238.67
a
95.33
c
159.00
a
125.73
b
13.00
ab
3.00
b
3547
a
88.33
d
Numan 225.67
ab
100.33
a
160.66
a
126.86
b
14.67
ab
3.00
b
4279
a
115.93
a
Tumsa 231.67
ab
95.67
bc
159.66
a
140.00
a
13.33
ab
3.00
b
3188
a
94.27
a
GM 229 98.09 160.28 132 14 3.19 4289 99.34
CV 8.17 2.28 1.45 5.19 29.5 6.84 36.39 5.83
R
2
0.7 0.64 0.32 0.52 0.41 0.82 0.35 0.85
GM=grand mean, CV= coefficient of variation, SCH= stand count at harvest, DF=days to flower, DM=days to mature, NSPP=seeds per pod, PH=plant height,
NPPP=number of pods per plant, GY= grain yield, HSW= hundred seed weight

68 Alamir Ayenew et al.: Participatory Variety Selection of Fababean (Vicia faba L.) for Yield and Yield Components in
Gunabegemidir District, North Western Ethiopia
Table 5. The means separation of yield and yield components of Fababean PVS at Awuzet kebele, Gunabegemidir district, and 2022 cropping season.
Variety SH DF DM PH NPPP NSPP GY HSW
Ashebeka 213.33
d
174.33
a
174.33
a
99.73
ab
10.33
a
2.67
a
2110a 95.20
b
Dosha 233.00
cbd
171.67
a
171.67
a
96.40
ab
11.33
a
3.00
a
2033a 83.90
c
Gora 266.67
abc
173.33
a
173.33
a
100.2
ab
10.00
a
2.67
a
2775a 99.53
b
Hachalu 226.00
cd
175.33
a
175.33
a
87.53
b
11.00
a
3.00
a
2878a 82.42
c
Local check 282.33
a
172.00
a
172.00
a
97.00
ab
12.00
a
3.00
a
3186a 79.80
c
Numan 275.00
a
173.67
a
173.67
a
100.3
ab
10.67
a
3.00
a
3139a 108.57
a
Tumsa 261.00
abc
172.67
a
172.67
a
107.2
a
12.00
a
3.00
a
3625a 95.00
b
GM 251 109 173 98.34 11.05 2.9 28.21 92.06
CV 10.49 1.28 1.34 10.43 20.03 9.69 11.01 5.43
R
2
0.62 0.49 0.32 0.34 0.17 0.47 39.03 0.87
GM=grand mean, CV= coefficient of variation, SCH= stand count at harvest, DF=days to flower, DM=days to mature, NSPP=seeds per pod, PH=plant height,
NPPP=number of pods per plant, GY= grain yield, HSW= hundred seed weight
Table 6. Simple correlation coefficients (r) for agronomic traits of the tested fababean PVS at Ata kebele, Gunabegemidir Districts in 2021.
SCH DF DM PH PPP SPP GY HSW
SCH 1
DF 0.04 1
DM 0.01 -0.27 1
PH 0.29* -0.34 0.18 1
NPPP 0.23 0.12 -26 0.26 1
NSPP -0.3 -0.24 0.33 0.13 -0.08 1
GY 0.5* 0.28 -0.34 0.05 0.04* -0.109 1
HSW -0.63 0.05 0.2 -0.102 -0.49 0.22 -0.3 1
SCH= stand count at harvest, DF=days to flower, DM=days to mature, SPP=seeds per pod, PH=plant height, PPP=number of pods per plant, GY= grain yield,
HSW=hundred seed weight
3.8 Association Among the Studied Characters
Grain yield is the most complex trait and it is influenced
by genetic and environmental factors that determine the
productivity of the Fababean varieties. Therefore,
understanding of inter-relationships of grain yield and other
traits is highly important for formulating selection criteria.
The correlation coefficient among phonological and
agronomic traits of the tested Fababean varieties is indicated
in (Table 6). Days to 50% flowering had a non-significant
and negative correlation with days to maturity (r= -0.27) but
Days to 50% flowering with grain yield had a non-significant
and positive correlation (r=0.28). Days to 50% flowering had
a negative and non-significant association with plant height
(r=-0.34
ns
). However, Days to 50% flowering had a positive
and non-significant association with plant height (r=0.12
ns
).
Grain yield had a positive and highly significant correlation
with the number of pods per plant (r=0.04*). These results
gave a clear indication that the yield components were
mutually closely associated. This is in agreement with those
finding [9, 15] which is grain yield had a positive correlation
with plant height, days to 50% flowering, and number of
seeds per pod.
Table 7. Farmers’ selection of Fababean varieties at Awuzet Kebele, Gunabegemidir district, 2021 cropping season.
Variety Farmer's preference criteria
PES MAP STS NB SS PH Earliness
Total mean Rank
Dosha 4 2 3 2 2 2 3 18 2.57 5
Numan 5 4 5 5 4 5 5 33 4.71 1
Tumsa 4 3 4 3 3 3 3 23 3.29 4
Ashebeta 5 4 3 3 3 3 4 25 3.57 3
Gora 5 4 4 4 3 4 4 28 4.00 2
Hachalu 3 1 1 2 1 1 1 10 1.43 7
Local check 4 2 2 1 1 2 2 14 2 6
PES=plant establishment, OAP=overall performance, STS=stem strength, NB=Number of Branches, SS=seed size, PH=plant height; Rating of the
performance of variety for given criteria: 5= very good, 4= good, 3= medium, 2= poor, and 1 = very poor.
3.9. Farmers' Variety Evaluation and Selection
The farmers who participated in and evaluated the trial
were representative of the area and had long experience in
farming. Selected farmers from the districts were asked to set
their priority selection criteria and farmers set their criteria
during the flowering, maturity, and harvest stage of Fababean
varieties. The criteria farmers used in identifying suitable
varieties depend on the existing constraints and opportunities
farmers faced in their locality. Accordingly, Plant
Establishment, Overall Performance, Stem Strength, Number
of Branches, Seed Size, and plant height were identified as

Science Development 2023; 4(4): 63-70 69
the most important farmer's selection criteria. Individual
farmers scored each variety for individual traits considered
important by them and the ranking of varieties was done on a
scale of 1-6, 1 being the highest score representing and 6
being very poor. Researchers and DA personnel assisted
farmers during scoring. The farmers also provided an overall
score for each variety based on all important traits.
In the overall scoring and ranking of the Fababean PVS
variety, Numan was considered the best variety followed by
Gora, Ashebeka, and Tumsa (Table 6). The local and Hachalu
were the least-ranked varieties because of poor plant
establishment, poor performance, and the low number of
branches. Variety Numan ranked first because of its best
performance, good stem strength, the higher number of branches,
and excellent plant establishment. Most Fababean improved
varieties ranked significantly higher than the local variety.
The farmers always ranked the improved varieties
significantly superior to local varieties for grain yield, yield
components, and disease resistance. This result indicated that
Numan, Gora, and Ashebeka were farmers' and researcher’s
best preferred and top-performed varieties which can be
considered as a promising variety to be widely produced by
Fababean farmers.
4. Conclusion and Recommendation
Participatory variety selection was significantly important
to evaluate and select new varieties and is an advantage to
exploit farmers' indigenous knowledge of identifying adapted
varieties that best meet their interests. Therefore, based on
considerately measured parameters, farmers’ preferences the
Fababean varieties Gora, Numan, and Ashebeka were
selected for the study area. Among the seven tested Fababean
varieties, those varieties were found sound adapted at
Gunabegemidir district in the farmer's selection criteria.
Therefore, farmers are recommended to use those varieties
for production and expand in the next season for similar
agroecology of the South Gonder zone.
Figure 2. Farmers during variety selection.
References
[1] Adugna, A. 2010. Assessment of Yield Stability in Sorghum.
Afr Crop Sci J. 15: 83-92.
[2] Alwala, S., Kwolek, T., McPherson, M., Pellow, J., Meyer, D.
2010. A Comprehensive Comparison between Eberhart and
Russell Join Regression and GGE Biplot Analyses to Identify
Stable and High Yielding Maize Hybrids. Field Crop Res. 119:
225-230.
[3] Ashenafi M and Mekuria W. (2015). Effect of Fababean
(Vicia faba L.) Varieties on Yield Attributes at Sinana and
Agarfa Districts of Bale Zone, Southeastern Ethiopia. Jordan
Journal of Biological Sciences. 8 (4): 281-286.
[4] CSA (Central Statistical Agency) of the Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia), 2014.

70 Alamir Ayenew et al.: Participatory Variety Selection of Fababean (Vicia faba L.) for Yield and Yield Components in
Gunabegemidir District, North Western Ethiopia
[5] De Boef WS and Thijssen, MH. (2007). Participatory tools
working with crops, varieties, and seeds. A guide for
professionals applying participatory approaches in
agrobiodiversity management, crop improvement, and seed sector
development. Wageningen, Wageningen International, 83p.
[6] Mesfin, T., Jarso, M., Argaye, S., Tekalign, A., Tilahun, N., et
al. 2021. Performance of Large Seeded Fababean Genotypes
for Yield and Related Agronomic Traits in Different Parts of
Ethiopia. East Africa J Agriculture Biotechnology. 4: 1-11.
[7] Sainte, M. 2011. The Magazine of the European Association
for Grain Legume Research. Model Legume Congress, France,
p: 56. 2.
[8] Steel, RGD., Torrie, JH. 1980. Principles and procedures of
statistics: a biometrical approach. 2
nd
Edition. McGraw-Hill.
New York. 631pp.
[9] Tadesse T, Fikere M, Legesse T, Parven A. (2011).
Correlation and path coefficient analysis of yield and its
component in Fababean (Vicia faba L.) germplasm. Int J
Biodivers Conserv. 3: 376-382.
[10] Tafere M, Tadesse D, Yigzaw D (2012). Participatory varietal
selection of fababean (Vicia faba L.) for yield and yield
components in Dabat district, Ethiopia. Wudpecker Journal of
Agricultural Research. 1 (7): 270–274.
[11] Tamene, T., Gemechu, K. and Hussein, M. 2015. Genetic
progresses from over three decades of fababean (Vicia faba L.)
breeding in Ethiopia. Australia Journal of crop science, 9: 41-48.
[12] Teame Gereziher, Ephrem Seid and Lemma Diriba. 2017.
Participatory evaluations of Fababean (Vicia faba l.) Varieties
in Enda Mekoni District, Northern Ethiopia. African Journal
of Agriculture. Vol 4 (2), pp. 263-268.
[13] Tewodros T, Asfaw A, Getachew T, Kibersew M1, Samuel S
(2015). Evaluation of Fababean (Vicia faba L.) varieties
against chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae) in North Gondar,
Ethiopia. African Journal of Agricultural Research. 10 (30):
2984-2988.
[14] Wondimu, B. 2016. Participatory variety selection of
Fababean for yield components and yield at highlands of West
Hararghe, Eastern Ethiopia. International Journal of Plant
Breeding and Crop Science. 3 (1): 099-102.
[15] Yassin TE (1973). Genotypic and phenotypic variances and
correlations in field beans (Vicia faba L.). J Agric Sci 81: 445-448.
[16] Zewdu Asrat, Abdulfeta Tariku, Temesgen Begna, Hayilu
Gichile and Werkissa Yali. 2022. Performance Evaluation of
Improved Fababean (Vicia faba L.) Varieties for Yield and
Yield Attribute Traits in Highland Areas of West Hararghe,
Eastern, Ethiopia. Adv Crop Sci Tech. 10: 10.