LA SELECCIÓN PARTICIPATIVA DE VARIEDADES DE FRIJOL COMÚN POR AGRICULTORES EN FERIAS DE DIVERSIDAD: UNA ALTERNATIVA PARA LA INTRODUCCIÓN DE VARIEDADES.

The results from farmers' participatory varietal selection of two bean diversity fairs celebrated in different Cuban rural communities as well as the analysis of farmers' criteria to perform the selection process are presented in this paper. Participatory varietal selection proved to be a single, fast and efficient way for introducing a large number of bean varieties showing good behaviour under local conditions. Also, farmers demonstrated to be very able of selecting their favourite varieties in a wide range, which in turn show better agronomical characteristics in terms of yields, crop cycle and disease resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]