Indexes in the comparison of pre-commercial genotypes of common bean

Abstract

The objective of this research was to analyze the use of cultivar index selection (GARCIA, 1998) in the indication of superior genotypes of common bean for the northwest region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in comparison to the other nonparametric indices used in plant breeding. The indexes of ELSTON (1963), MULAMBA & MOCK (1978), SCHWARZBACH (1972) and GARCIA (1998) were employed in the evaluation of 14 strains (F9 e F10) of common bean of indeterminate growth habit. The experiments were conducted in the municipalities of Bom Jesus do Itabapoana (2010 and 2011) and Cambuci (2011). The design employed was of randomized blocks with four repetitions. The traits pod yield (PRODV), grain yield (PRODG), average number of pods per plant (NMVP), average weight of pod (PMV) and average number of seeds per pod (NMSV) were assessed. The index of GARCIA (1998) proved to be more efficient than the other indexes, since it showed more correlation with PRODV and selected more productive strains. The recommended genotypes were: UENF 7-5-1 and UENF 7-6-1, followed by the genotypes UENF 7-10-1, UENF 7-12-1 and UENF 7-20-1.