DUS Characterization and Evaluation of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Genotypes from the North-Western Himalaya

Abstract

French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important cool-season legume valued for its rich nutritional content and role in food and nutritional security in the Himalayan region. The North-Western Himalaya harbors diverse indigenous landraces that remain largely unexplored for their distinctness and breeding potential. The present study aimed to characterize and evaluate 45 French bean genotypes collected from different locations of Uttarakhand using Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) descriptors and morpho-phenological traits. The experiment was conducted during 2023–2026 at ICAR–Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH), Mukteshwar, under a randomized block design. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for all traits, indicating substantial variability. Frequency distribution showed wide variation in growth, leaf, flower, and pod traits, while Principal Component Analysis indicated that the first two components explained 31.25% of total variation, with major contributions from leaf and pod characters. The wide dispersion of genotypes in the PCA biplot confirmed the presence of considerable diversity. Several genotypes exhibited distinct and desirable traits, highlighting their potential for crop improvement. The study emphasizes the importance of characterization and conservation of indigenous germplasm. Further research should focus on multi-location trials and molecular characterization for effective utilization in breeding programmes.