Soil Characterization and Response of Haricot Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Application of Blended and Bio Fertilizer in Meskan District, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Information on soil characterization and effects of blended and bio fertilizer application on haricot bean production is crucial for best land management practices. Therefore, afield experiment was conducted to assess soil, response of haricot bean to application of blended, and bio fertilizer in Meskan district, Southern Ethiopia. A pedon 2 x 2x 2 m deep was opened by hand digging at experimental site. Soil samples from each horizon and three surface samples around the profile were collected for laboratory analysis of the most important soil physical and chemical properties. Based on the field survey and soil analytical results, soils of the study area were classified as Vertisols. The field experiment was laid out in RCBD with treatments including control, NPS, NPK, NPSB, NPSZNB and NPKSZNB with inoculants and three replications. The results of field experiment showed that blended fertilizer with sterilized soil with inoculation was significant on number of pod per plant, 1000 seed weight, grain yield and biomass yields. The number of pod per plant (18), 1000 seed weight (482.71 g hr^-1), grain yield (3481.5 kg hr^-1) and biomass yield (8939.2 kg hr^-1) were recorded from NPKSZNB application.  Additionally, the results of the field experiment revealed significantly higher yield, MRR percentage and economic benefit was obtained by the application of NPKSZNB. Therefore, the present study suggests that, there should be a site-specific soil characterization for a better understanding of soil properties and application of NPKSZNB containing fertilizer with inoculant for better haricot bean production at Meskan and areas with similar soil and agro ecological conditions. The experiment was conducted for one season and location but it is better to repeat in different locations and season to draw sound conclusion.

Keywords: Blended fertilizers, Yield and Yield components, Bio fertilizer, Soil characterization

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/13-11-02

Publication date:June 30^th 2022