Growth Performance of Three Dry Bean Cultivars Affected by Different Rates of Phosphorus Fertilizer and Locations

摘要

Background and Objective: Development and growth of dry bean are always restricted by insufficient application of phosphorus fertilizer. This study aimed to examine the effect of cultivar, phosphorus fertilizer rate and location on the growth performance of dry bean. Materials and Methods: The experiment was a 5×3×3 factorial experiment fitted into a randomized complete block design. The Five levels (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4) of phosphorus fertilizer were applied during planting and these differed according to each location. The three dry bean cultivars used were PAN 123, PAN 148 and PAN 9292. Three locations of the study were Taung, Ventersdorp and Mafikeng. The measured growth parameters were plant height, number of leaves per plant, chlorophyll content, number of nodules per plant and root length. Results: Dry bean cultivar PAN 123 had a significantly higher number of leaves per plant, chlorophyll content and longer roots length as compared to other cultivars. Dry bean cultivar PAN 9292 had significantly higher plant height and nodules number per plant as compared to other cultivars. Dry bean planted at Taung had significantly higher plant height, number of leaves and nodules per plant and longer root length as compared to other locations. Conclusion: In terms of the growth performance of dry bean, PAN 123 is the recommended cultivar in this study. Location with a higher percentage of sand such as Taung is the best area for the production of dry bean.