Evaluation and participatory selection of local bean cultivars under an agroecological approach in the community of Santa Rosalía, Mérida state

Abstract

The bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L., is the most consumed grain legume worldwide, Venezuela is the only country in the world where it is known by that name, derived from the indigenous word Carauta. (Perez, 2013); In the state of Mérida, legumes are grown mainly in small peasant production units, mostly for self-consumption and local trade. Likewise, the seeds they use are materials from previous harvests, or those obtained through exchange with other farmers, which they traditionally use and conserve. In general, the use of certified bean seeds in artisanal production systems is low, either for cultural or economic reasons, for this reason it is important to strengthen local seed production systems (Morros, M. and M. Maruja, 2006 and 2007).