Wanjiru Philip Kung’u A22/0050/2009 Presented to the department of crop science and crop protection. Supervisor N. Musembi Effects of Rhizobium inoculum.

Wanjiru Philip Kung’uWanjiru Philip Kung’uA22/0050/2009A22/0050/2009

Presented to the department of crop science and crop protection.

Supervisor

N. Musembi

Effects of Rhizobium inoculum and urea foliar spray on nodulation, yield and quality of French beans

IntroductionIntroductionFrench beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris l)

is classified under the family leguminosae and genus phaseolus.

The annual exports of fresh vegetables contribute about 35-40% of the horticulture foreign exchange in Kenya ( Monda et al. 2003)

French beans accounted for 29% (Kshs 4 billion) of Kenya’s earning from vegetables exports amounting to 13.7 billion in 2011. French beans production is now estimated at 12tonnes. (Business daily)

Introduction cont’Introduction cont’ Rhizobium inoculants are used as an

economical input to increase productivity.

Superior rhizobium strains have been identified and commercialized by the University of Nairobi and commercial companies, respectively.

However, use of base fertilizers have been found to depress nodulation in most legume species ( Otieno et al. 2007)

Nitrogen is the most limiting factor in the soil due to intensification of agriculture and overuse of nitrogenous fertilizers.

ObjectivesObjectives

Main objectiveTo develop a strategy that will reduce the cost of production, promote growth, nodulation and improve yield and quality of french beans.

Specific objectivesSpecific objectives

To determine the effect of rhizobia inoculation on growth , nodulation and yield of French beans.

To determine the effect of urea foliar feed on growth, nodulation and yield of French beans.

To determine the interaction effects of the combined rhizobium inoculum and urea foliar spray, on nodulation, growth and yield of French beans.

Problem statementProblem statementUse of base fertilizers depress

nodulation in common beans (Otieno et al. 2007)

Use of N fertilizers to increase yields is expensive and unaffordable to most small scale farmers.

JustificationJustificationUse of Rhizobium inoculum is

cheaper compared to use of inorganic base fertilizers.

Adequate inoculation is a well known agronomic procedure that can ensure adequate supply of nitrogen to legumes. It has reported that rhizobium can fix 50-300kg/Ha of Nitrogen.

MaterialsMaterialsFrench beans seeds for plantingRhizobium inoculum.Urea to be used as foliar feedPesticides for the control of bean

flies, white flies and aphids. Confidor and bostax.

LaborHosepipe and water for irrigation

MethodologyMethodology Experiment conducted at upper Kabete field

station. The experiment will be laid in a randomized

complete block design with three replicates Treatments; 1. negative control, 2. Rhizobium inoculum solo3. urea solo4. Rhizobium inoculum & urea. Planting to be done at a spacing of 30cm× 10cm

in plots of 1m×1m. Urea foliar spray applied two weeks after

germination and two weeks after first application at a rate of 100kgs/ha.

Inoculum applied during planting.

Data collectionData collectionThe number of nodules will be

counted for three plants selected randomly at each plot at the end of the experiment and the weight recorded.

Yield will be measured per plant.Number of pods will be counted.The girth and stem length will be

measured to show the rate of growthQuality will be determined by pod

straightness, length and those not affected by diseases

Data analysisData analysisAnalysis of variance will be

performedSeparation of means will be done

using protected LSD at p=0.05

Work planWork plan

Time

Activity

January February March April

Proposal writing

xxxxxxx

Planting xxxxxxx

Data collection & field experimentation

xxxxxxx

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Harvesting xxxxxxxx

Report writing

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THANK YOUITHANK YOUI