Kwigizile, owekisha hermas2026-03-252026-03-252014https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7450DissertationSnap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), also widely known as French bean or Green bean, is of growing importance in the socio-economic systems of East and Central Africa. It is a crop with great potential for addressing food insecurity, improving incomes and alleviating poverty in East and Central Africa. Most of the commercial varieties grown locally are highly susceptible to bean leaf rust caused by Uromyce appendiculatus fungus. Development of disease resistant varieties with acceptable pod quality is a feasible preference to alleviate the constraint. The present work centered on evaluating the adaptability and performance of snap bean genotypes and resistance to bean rust in the Southern highlands zone of Tanzania. Ten advanced bushy snap bean genotypes (HAB 404, HAB 425, HAB 449, HAB 423, HAB 240, HAB 427, HAB 442, HAB 403, HAB 414, and HAB 419 ), and the check variety Teresa were evaluated for agronomical characteristics, reaction to bean leaf rust, yield potential and pod quality using the Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications, at each location. The plot size was 1.5 m x 1.0 m, with two rows of plants spaced at 50 cm x 10 cm. Data was collected on growth habit, yield and yield components, and bean leaf rust score beginning 3, 5 and 7 weeks. Pod characteristics (color, shape, length (cm), width (mm) and snap-ability) were also assessed. The entries were scored for the bean rust at vegetative growth, flowering and at pod filling stages. Data was subjected to ANOVA using GenStart 14 Edition (2012) and means were separated using the Fisher’s Protected LSD at P = 0.05. Genotype HAB 427, HAB 425, and HAB 423, and HAB 240 were high yielder and showed resistance to bean leaf rust. Significant and positive correlations were also observed among genotypes on the yield and yield components. There were highly significant differences at (P<0.001) across sites on number of pods per plant, total pod yield and pod weight (g), 50% days of flowering and maturity. Interaction between genotypes and location showed also significant differences at (P<0.01) for the number of pods per plant and total pod yield (kg) per 10 plants harvested. Therefore; genotypes HAB 427, HAB 425, and HAB 423, and HAB 240 promised can be used as donor parental materials.enFrench Green beanSocio-economic systemsBean genotypesSouthern Highlands ZonePhaseolus vulgaris L.Thesis