Optimizing intra‐row spacing improves the agronomic performance of common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris )

Abstract Common bean is an important legume largely used for its nutritional benefits. However, several factors affect its productivity, including the lack of improved varieties that produce higher yields and the optimal plant density required for better growth. Thus, during the 2019–2020 cropping season, a field trial was conducted at the Melkassa and Negele Arsi sites to evaluate the effect of intra‐row spacing on the growth and yields of common bean varieties. The factors studied include three bean varieties (Dame, SER‐119, and KAT‐B9) and three intra‐row spacings (5, 10, and 15 cm), arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Intra‐row spacing significantly affected leaf area, branches plant −1 , shoot dry weight, pods plant −1 , seeds pod −1 , and grain yield, except for leaf area index at both sites, hundred‐seed weight, and harvest index at the Melkassa site. Concerning the interaction effect, the Dame variety produced the highest yield of 2495 kg ha −1 at a spacing of 5 cm in the Negele Arsi site. Nevertheless, the main effect of the SER‐119 variety and a spacing of 5 cm achieved a higher yield at the Melkassa site. Overall, the varieties Dame at Negele Arsi and SER‐119 at Melkassa, with a 5 cm intra‐row spacing, have the potential to significantly enhance common bean cultivation in these and similar agroecological zones. Therefore, this study strongly recommends using the Dame and SER‐119 varieties with a 5 cm spacing between plants to enhance their productivity and adaptability to changing environmental conditions.