Crop yield is one of the fundamental characteristics of a cultivar development. The correct parental choice is important in maximizing breeding effíciency. A diallel cross among Phaseolus vulgaris L. genotypes Mulatinho Vagem Roxa com Estrias, Roxinho Brilhante, Iça Tuí, Mulatinho, A-77 and EP 10063 was established with the objective of evaluate the parental mean as a predictor of F2 population performance. Sowing times were in Summer and in Winter. Two soil fertility leveis were used: high and intermediate. Results showed that parental mean and F2 population performance presented positive and significant correlation in the four tested environments when yield was the characteristic evaluated. Crop yield prediction from yield components was higher, positive and signifcant for number of pods per plant in Winter cropping, whereas in Summer, higher value obtained for number of seeds per pod. Results aiso indicated that the parental mean can be used for definition of the cresses with higher probability of success from a given set of genotypes.
seed yield; plant breeding; Phaseolus vulgaris L
