Experimental precision of grain yield components and selection of superior common bean lines

Genetically superior common bean lines will be efficiently selected with the use of more precise experimental statistics. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the experimental precision of grain yield and primary grain yield components in experiments to register common bean cultivars and identify more appropriate statistics for the selection of genetically superior common bean lines. For this purpose, 21 experiments were performed in a randomized block design in southern Brazil. A total of 156 common bean genotypes of the Mesoamerican and Andean gene pool were assessed between 1998 and 2015. Experimental precisions of grain yield and primary grain yield components were evaluated using 11 statistics. Grain yield, number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, and mass of 100 grains were evaluated with greater experimental precision by the F-test value for genotype, heritability, coefficient of relative variation, and selective accuracy. Mass of 100 grains presented the highest experimental precision among the traits evaluated in this study. The F-test value for genotype, heritability, coefficient of relative variation, and selective accuracy allow the selection of common bean lines with genetic superiority for grain yield and primary grain yield components. Selective accuracy is the most appropriate statistic to select common bean lines with genetic superiority for grain yield and is recommended for breeding programs.