Determination of the Rate of Rhizobial Biofertilizers for Faba Bean (V. faba), in the Major Growing Areas of Arsi Zone

Abstract

Different rates and types of isolates of rhizobia and their benefit have been presumed beneficial in regard to soil resource amendment and increase yield and yield parameters. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of different rates of bio-fertilizer. The treatments were consisted of six different rates (600, 750, 900, 1050, 1150 and 1250gm ha-1) of rhizobia (strain FB-1017) and recommended rates of balanced fertilizer laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The field experiment was conducted at four potential districts of Arsi zone, during the main cropping seasons of 2017/18 and 2018/19. Application of different rates of biofertilizer had effects an evident from significant difference (p<0.05) in agronomic and yield traits. In the first year(2017/18) the effects of treatments were not apparently significant (p<0.05)  at Kulumsa but, at Limu Dima-1 rate 1025 gm/ha gave significantly 46%(1372kg/ha more better than recommended fertilizer rate ,other rates such as 750 gm ha^-1( at  Kulumsa),900 gm ha^-1 (at Bekoji Negesso) and 1150 gm ha^-1 (at Gora Silingo ) performed poor and significant effect of treatment RCR was observed rather more pronounced  which recorded 31.2%(798 kg/ha) more better than the 900 gm /ha rate(at Bekoji Negesso),24.8%(941kg ha^-1) than 725gm/ha (at Kulumsa) and 36%(1622kg ha^-1) than rate 1150 gm/ha (at Gora Silingo).With respect to harvest index and plant height all locations except Gora Silingo and Bekoji Negesso, were not significantly affected((p<0.05) by treatments. The year 2017/18 had better productivity in both grain yield and biomass than year 2018/19 and patterns of significant enhancement in yield by increased rate have been observed which generally consistent trend was observed by rate 1025 gm ha^-1 but more and more locations need to be assessed in order that the fluctuating environment and unknown rhizosphere would bring about important information.

Keywords: Arsi, Biological Nitrogen Fixation, FB-1017, Faba Bean

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-21-05

Publication date: November 30^th 2019