DUS Characterization and Evaluation of Untapped French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Genotypes

French bean is being considered as an important legume for human diet having rich source of dietary proteins, minerals and vitamins. Germplasm characterization and evaluation is having great contribution in breeding and crop improvement. Substantial phenotypic and genetic characterization of untapped French bean germplasm are still needed to unlock its breeding potential. Purposefully, 27 diverse French bean genotypes comprising primitive, cultivars, commercial cultivars, farmers grown varieties were collected from different parts of India, characterized as per Distinct, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) and evaluated for associated morpho-phenological traits in randomized complete block design. The screened panel revealed highly significant differences among French bean genotypes for all the traits under study which witnessed the existence of sufficient variability in the French bean genotypes in which first two Principal Component Analysis (PCA) explained 20.03% and 13.32% of the total morphological variability. The genotypes were well scattered in PCA axis forming groups with various traits as per contribution towards the variability. The genotype IC 632961 having desirable traits which could be an elite germplasm for future crop improvement.