Haileselassie, Teklehaimanot (PhD)Dagnew, Kefyalew2020-10-202023-11-182020-10-202023-11-182013-02-02http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/22867Phaseolus vulgaris L. (family Leguminosae), is a grain that provides protein. It is distributed in all parts of the world. P. vulgaris is a salt sensitive and one of a major export crop that can be grown in times of intermittent rainfall; also, it grows in the warm and low land areas of Ethiopia. Salinity as well as using less productive varaties make low production in Ethiopia. This research is aimed to investigate the salt tolerance and genetic diversity of P. vulgaris accessions from Ethiopia.The study was done on twelve accessions from Ethiopia. Shoot and Root Length (SL, RL) as well as Root Fresh and Dry Weight (RFW, RDW) were measured using 50, 100, 150, 200 mM NaCl salinity levels after germination.Tap water was used as a control. Studies were also carried out to estimate the genetic diversity among and within accessions of P. vulgaris using ISSR markers. Mostly, the growth of RL, SL, RDW and RFW were faster at 50 mM but they were significantly inhibited at high salt levels (150mM, 200mM). Accessions from Metekel (Dangure) and Harerge were found to be salt sensitive during shoot and root growth. However, accessions from Shinile and Metekel (Dibate) were relatively salt tolerant. The rest were intermediate. Besides, the highest RFW and RDW were recorded in West Wellega(F) variety at 200 mM NaCl. Seven selected ISSR primers yielded 69 reproducible bands from 96 individuals studied. All the loci were found to be polymorphic. The total genetic diversity (H) and Shannon’s diversity information index (I) for entire populations showed, 0.35, and 0.53, respectively. Individuals from Shinile site showed the highest level of gene diversity (H = 0.29, I = 0.43); while the lowest variability was showen by accessions from Metekel (L) (H = 0.10, I = 0.15). Variation within accessions was higher (62.55%) as compared to that of inter accessions (37.45%) based on AMOVA. Accession from Harerge (K) was quite separated to the rest of other accessions in UPGMA analysis. The accession from Hadiya had a closer genetic similarity with that of West wellega (F) while the two germplasm resources from Metekel (G, L) were closely related to their geographical distribution. In PCO, majority individuals of Metekel (L) tended to form their own separate grouping. The result of the present study confirmed the presence of salt tolerant and genetically diversified accessions that can be used to improve the productivity as well as calls for a combined effort for the collection, conservation and sustainable use of P. vulgaris.enGenetic DiversityHaricot BeanIssrPhaseolus VulgarisSalinityThesis