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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
Rural Outreach Program
ISSN: 1684-5358 EISSN: 1684-5358
Vol. 13, No. 5, 2013, pp. 8340-8350
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Bioline Code: nd13088
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Vol. 13, No. 5, 2013, pp. 8340-8350
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IMPACT OF SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON A MAJOR INSECT PEST INFESTATION AND YIELD OF BEANS ( PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.) IN TAITA DISTRICT, KENYA
Ochilo, Willis N.; Nyamasyo, G. H. & Nderitu, J. H.
Abstract
The common bean is an important food and cash crop in Eastern, Central and
Southern Africa. It provides food for more than 100 million people and is a critical
source of income for rural households. Common bean yields, however, have declined
in the last ten years. This decline is the result of poor soil fertility and nutrient
depletion as well as high incidences of insect pests, key among them being the bean
stem maggot (BSM). To address soil nutrient depletion and the accompanying
declining agricultural productivity, integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) has
been adapted as a framework for enhancing crop productivity through combining
fertilizer use with other soil fertility management technologies, adapted to local
conditions. The current study evaluated the influence of soil fertility treatments on
yield and yield components of the common bean. Additionally, to establish the
potential links between soil fertility and crop protection, the effect of ISFM
interventions on the incidence of the BSM was also assessed. The experiment was
carried out in Taita District where agriculture contributes 95% to household income
with very little or no fertility inputs in farms. Bean variety Mwezi moja was sown
during the wet cropping season. Farm plots were amended with Mavuno fertilizer (a
blend of fertilizer containing 11 nutrients); Triple Superphosphate fertilizer with
Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (TSP + CAN); cow manure; Trichoderma inoculant;
Trichoderma inoculant with cow manure combination; Mavuno fertilizer with
Trichoderma inoculants combination; and control (untreated check). Field survey was
conducted four weeks after bean emergence to determine the incidence and
prevalence of the BSM. Plant survival: dry-seed and and bean straw weight were used
as criteria for assessing crop yield. Yield and yield components of common bean were
significantly affected by addition of soil ammendments, with Mavuno fertilizer +
Trichoderma inoculant improving yield by 52.9%. However, the influence of the soil
ammendments on the BSM incidence was minimal. These findings point to the fact
that soil fertility management interventions increase crop yield. Nevertheless, to
maximise yield, there is a strong need to adopt agroecological strategies that not only
optimise soil fertilization but also incorporate a pest management dimension.
Keywords
Bean; Soil fertility; Beanfly; Yield
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