Beans Varieties

1. INTRODUCTION

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) is considered a staple crop and an important source of nutrients for all kind of people worldwide. In Rwanda, the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the leading legume staple due to its prominent contribution to food, nutrition and income security. It has been variously described as a near-complete food; meat for the poor and green meat for the rich. Per capita consumption varies with each producing and consuming country and also among regions within a country depending on consumer preferences but can be as high as 66 kg/capita/year in Rwanda. Mature dry seeds of common bean are eaten as a pulse and the immature pods and seeds as a vegetable. The leaves of common bean are sometimes eaten as vegetables.

2. VARIETIES

 Bean varieties available in Rwanda for different agro ecological zones include the following:

• Climbing, high yield and high Fe content: RWV 1129, MAC 44, RWV 3316, RWV 3006, RWV 2872, MAC 42, RWV 3317
• Bush high yield and high Fe content: RWR 2245 and RWR 2154
• High yield and drought tolerance: SER 13, SER 14, SER 16, SER 30, RWK 10
• Snap Beans high yielding:1214-2/2, SB 273, PYRAMIDE, TARROT, SAXA,
• Climbing High yield, good market class: RWV 2070, MUTIKI1 (RWV 2017), RWV 2887, NYIRAGIKOTI, CAB 2, RWV 1348, CAB 19, MAC 49, MAC 9, MAC 28, VUNINKINGI, NGWINURARE, G2333, BUBERUKA, G858/MUHONDO, NYIRAMAGORORI, GASILIDA, MWIRASI, G 2331, RWV 2269, RWV 1002, RWV 1892, FLORA, RWV2361, Shyorongi, RWV 2070.
• Bush High yield and good market class: RWR2076, RWR 1668, MLB 49-89A,     RAB 487, RWR 1180, BATAAF, RUCAGU, MUTIKI 2.