The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic variability for characters related with the germination rate and the capacity of the plants to occupy the ground quickly. Ninety four lines from the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) germoplasm from the Universidade Federal de Lavras, differing in several characters as color, size and shape of the seeds were used. Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the bean lines. The first was conducted at 120 days and the second 360 days after the beginning of storage (room temperature and humidity and under low light). Percentage of germination (%G), emergency speed rate (ESR) and dry matter (DM) were obtained. The variables were standardized and obtained the sum of the ESR + DM. Phenotypic, genetic and environmental correlations between all the characters were obtained and the expected gain was estimated with the selection and correlated response. Both the G% and ESR presented reduced levels in the evaluation at 360 days after seed storage in comparison with the evaluation at 120 days. It was possible to obtain the gain with the selection, for higher %G, ESR and DM. The higher gain was obtained in the first experiment. Among the lines evaluated, there are genetic sufficient variability to proceed the selection for germination and emergence. The lines JALO EEP 558, PI-103 and CVII 39-24 were identified as the best for germination and emergence and the lines RP-2, BP-34 and ESAL 569 were those with smaller vigor.
Beans; correlation; selection gain; emergency; storage
