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GROWTH AND YIELD PERFORMANCE OF COMMON BEAN ( PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.) AS INFLUENCED BY PLANT DENSITY AT NYAGATARE, EAST RWANDA
Musana, RF; Rucamumihigo, FX; Nirere, D & Mbaraka, SR
Abstract
Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the most important priority crops grown
in Rwanda. It is utilized as a staple food and is consumed as edible seeds and pods for
provision of proteins. Best agronomic practices that would promote its optimum growth
and maximum yield should be recommended. Plant density affects productivity of
common bean and optimizing it would increase light interception by the crop and
minimize competition between plants, resulting into improved crop growth rate and
yield. To determine the effect of plant density on common bean growth and yield, four
different plant densities: 200,000, 250,000, 300,000, 350,000 plants/ha were investigated
in a randomized complete block design, with three replications. Interaction effects
between plant density with these parameters: plant height, plant biomass, number of pod
per plant, 100grain weight and yield were assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results indicated that plant height was significantly affected by bean planting density
(P<0.001), and was significantly higher in 350,000 plants ha-1 than for all other plant
densities. Bean biomass was significantly affected by plant density (p=0.007) and was
significantly higher in 250,000 plants ha-1. Bean planting density significantly affected
the number of pods plant-1(P<0.001) and total bean yield (P<0.001). The number of pods
plant-1 was highest at 249.5% using 200,000 plants ha-1while 350,000 plants ha-1 density
produced the lowest number of pods plant-1. Bean yield was significantly higher in
250,000 plants ha-1 and lowest in 350,000 plants ha-1. Hundred (100) grains weight was
significantly affected by plant density (p<0.001). The highest 100grains weight was
found in 200,000 plant ha-1 while the lowest was found in 350,000 plants ha-1. These
results indicate that 250,000 plants ha-1 population favors higher bean growth and grain
yield. This study will provide an important basis to establish appropriate planting
densities recommended for the bean crop in different agro-ecological zones of Rwanda.
Keywords
Common bean; plant density; plant growth; field performance; biomass; yield
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