Performance of climber common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) lines under Researcher Designed Farmer Managed (RDFM) system in three bean agro-ecological zones of Malawi

An on-farm study was carried out in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 growing seasons under rain-fed condition in five sites namely Thondwe and Matapwata in Zomba and Thyolo districts respectively, Chipuka in Ntchisi district, Ntchenachena and Ngong'a in Rumphi district representing three bean agro-ecological zones of Malawi. Seven climber common bean entries; CAB 19, RWV 1046, BCMV B4, AND 659, RVW 1042-2-3, 5P/5 and DC 86-244 were evaluated for their performance and stability across sites and two seasons under Researcher Designed Farmer Managed (RDFM) system. Entries DC 86-244, AND 659 and BCMV B4 were early maturing in most sites of the trial. DC 86 244 and AND 659 were also high yielding and had larger seed sizes compared to other entries. RVW 1046 and RVW 1042-2-3 were also high yielding though had smaller seed sizes. Stability analysis identified entries CAB 19 and DC 86 244 as stable entries across sites and seasons. Among environments, Ng'onga, Chipuka and Thondwe were high yielding. Ntchenachena was more stable but lower yielding compared to other sites. Matapwata was highly unreliable as heavy rains followed by dry spells characterised the site which resulted in loss of all bean entries in 2004-2005 growing season.