The physiological performance of varietal mixtures of the common bean (phaseolus vulgaris, l.) grown under broadcast or conventional planting methods
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Date
2002
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
A study was carried out at Mbozi and Morogoro Districts of Tanzania during the
2000/2001 cropping seasons. The main objective was'to determine the relationship
between growth characteristics and economic yield of varietal mixtures of common
beans grown by broadcast or row planting methods. The experiment was a split plot
in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Different
varieties were used at each location, which formed the main plots. Five varieties at
the highland (kabanima. U-94. U-90. kigoma. and mixed variety), and four at the
lowland (rojo. SUA 90. kablankeli. and mixed variety) were used. At each location
one variety was a mixture of those varieties. The subplots were the planting methods.
The results indicate that broadcast planting increased leaf area index (LAI).
intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), crop growth rate (CGR). total
dry matter (TDM), plant height, pods plant’1, and seeds pod’1, while row planting
increased radiation use efficiency (RUE). TDM partitioning, branches per plant, and
100-seed weight. Among varieties at the highland location, the mixed variety
produced the highest TDM. branches per plant, and grain yield m’?. Kigoma
(indeterminate) was the tallest and accumulated the greatest PAR. Kabanima
(determinate) was the shortest and performed poorly in dry matter (DM)
accumulation, development of LAI. cumulative PAR. CGR. and RUE. At the
lowland location, the mixed variety was superior in LAL light interception, and pods
per plant. The mixed variety was the tallest and SUA-90 the shortest.
At the highland location, row planting had higher grain yield than broadcast planting
as compared to the lowland location. The differences were attributed to greater TDM
and branches per plant at the highland location, and RUE and pods plant’1 at the lowland location. It is concluded that physiologically there was no difference
between broadcast and row planting of common beans. Thus, farmers my use either
of the methods. Also mixed varieties could be recommended under- subsistence
agriculture but could be economically unsuitable where marketing require quality
pure varieties for better prices.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Bean growth, Cropping season, Planting method, Varietal mixtures, Common Bean, Conventional planting methods