Abstract Additive genetic variance in large‐seeded common beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.), mostly of Andean South American origin, was higher than nonadditive variance for all traits. Heritability was 0.43 ± 0.19 for yield, 0.49 ± 0.20 for pods/m 2 , 0.63 ± 0.21 for seeds/m 2 , 0.76 ± 0.23 for 100‐seed weight, and 0.55 ± 0.22 for days to maturity. Expected gain from selection (expressed in percentage of the population mean) was 9.2 for yield, 12.8 for pods/m 2 , 21.0 for seeds/m 2 , 17.6 for 100‐seed weight, and 4.6 for days to maturity.
