The Response of Haricot Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Phosphorus Application on Ultisols at Areka, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Areka Agricultural Research Center in Bolosso Sore Woreda, Wolaita Zone of Southern Nations Nationalities and People's Regional State (SNNPRS) to evaluate the response of haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to P fertilizer. Seven levels of P (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 kg ha^-1) in RCBD with four replications were used in the study. Recommended rate of N (60 kg ha^-1) was applied to all treatments. The full doses of P and N were applied at sowing. Data on crop phenology, growth parameters, grain yield and yield components, and total biomass were recorded during specific physiological stages of the crop. At harvest, the plants were partitioned into grain and straw to determine total P uptake, apparent recovery and nutrient use efficiency by crops. The effect of P was significant in hastening physiological maturity of crop, whereas its effect was not significant on flowering and growth parameters such as plant height and number of branches plant^-1. Although the effect of P application was not significant on number of pods plant^-1, number of seeds pod^-1, thousand seed weight and straw P content, its application had significantly increased grain yield. The grain yield ranged between 15.58 dt ha^-1 at 0 kg P ha^-1 (control) and 25.47dt ha^-1 at application of 40 kg P ha^-1. Besides, total biomass was also significantly influenced by P, and ranged between 30.27dt ha^-1 at control to 45.97 dt ha^-1 at rate of 40 kg P ha^-1. The levels of P application did not affect available P, total N, OC contents and EA of soil. The highest total P uptake (32.59 kg ha^-1) was obtained at 30 kg P ha^-1 and increased with increasing rates of P application, whereas apparent P recovery was found to be highest at 20 kg P ha^-1. Both agronomic and physiological P use efficiencies of the crop were highest at the rate of 10 kg P ha^-1. Therefore, application of 10 kg P ha^-1 is recommended for better haricot bean production at Areka.

Key words: Phosphorus, Haricot bean, Areka