Abstract
The present study was conducted to estimate the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and association among selected agronomic traits of common bean landraces from South western Kenya. The field experiment was conducted using 52 common bean landraces at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Kisii Research Center during 2015 and 2016 main cropping seasons. The experimental design was randomized complete block (RCBD) with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences indicating the existence of genetic variability among the 52 landraces for 14 quantitative traits studied. The genotypic coefficient of variation ranged from 1.00% for biological yield to 84.69% for pod width, while the phenotypic coefficient of variation ranged from 2.34% for biological yield to 84.40% for number of branches. The estimated broad sense heritability ranged from 60.20% for seeds per plant to 87.57% for days to emergence. Estimates of genetic advance as percent of mean ranged from 10.15% for biological yield to 97.45% for number of branches. Positive and highly significant association of plant height, days from planting to 50% flowering, number of pods per plant and biological yield was observed with seed yield per plant, hence these traits may be directly attributed for the improvement of seed yield. High hereditability and genetic advance was obtained for plant height, 100 seed weight, pod width and number of branches, indicating additive gene effects in controlling the traits and these traits could be used as suitable criteria for selection and improvement of common bean in breeding programs. Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris, phenotypic variability, genotypic variability, quantitative traits, heritability, genetic advance, breeding.  
Highlights
Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important grain legume, second to maize as a stable food crop in Kenya
This study showed that plant height at maturity was positively and significantly correlated with days from sowing to flowering, number of seeds/plant, seed yield and biological yield
The present study revealed significant levels of genetic variability among the 52 common bean landraces for all the agronomic traits
Summary
Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important grain legume, second to maize as a stable food crop in Kenya. Africa produces 17% of the world total production, of which 70% is from Eastern Africa. Common bean is an important source of protein and minerals especially iron and zinc. It is a dual-purpose crop producing grains as well as fodder for livestock. Common beans play a very important role in sustaining soil fertility by adding atmospheric nitrogen and organic matter to the soil. As a cover crop it is efficient in suppressing weeds and prevents soil erosion (Geil and Anderson, 2014)
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