Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Varieties to Phosphorus Fertilizer Application at Damot Gale, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Common bean productivity is greatly influenced by soil fertility especially phosphorous because it appears essential for both nodulation and N₂ fixation. It is also the basis for the formation of useful energy, which is essential for sugar formation and translocation. In this context, a field experiment was conducted during 2015/16 cropping season at Buge of Damot Gale district  in southern Ethiopia with objective of determining optimum rate of P fertilizer for common bean varieties. Treatments consisted in three common bean varieties (Awassa Dume, Ibado and Nasir) and six P rates (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 Kg/ha) were combined in factorial and laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Phenological, growth, yield components and yield reacted to varieties, P rates and their interactions differently. Variety Nasir took the longest days to flowering and physiological maturity whereas Awassa Dume took the shortest days to flowering and physiological maturity. In line with this, the highest plant height was obtained from variety Nasir while the shortest plant heights were seen for variety Awassa Dume. Significantly the highest number of pods per plant and seeds per pod were recorded for variety Awassa Dume  at P rate of 20 kg/ha and 30 kg/ha, respectively. Biomass and grain yield were significantly differed where both parameters were highest for variety Awassa Dume at P rate of 20 kg/ha. Agronomic efficiency and economic analysis also confirmed that application of 20 kg/ha P fertilizers gave the optimum efficiency and net benefit.

Keywords: Common bean, Phosphorus, Varieties, Phaseolus vulgaris L.