Effect of Organo- mineral fertilizer Application on growth and yield of French- beans (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> L.)

Abstract

The main constraints to sustainable crop production in arid environment are mainly inherent low fertility of the soil and moisture deficit. A study was conducted at Mekelle University, Tigray Region in Ethiopia to test the hypothesis that Integrated soil management practices consisting of manure (Cow dung) and Inorganic fertilizers (Urea and Dap) in combined form, thereby resulting in higher yields and fertilizer use efficiency, resulted in high productivity with reduced risk. Results from an analysis of variance showed that the high combination of organic and inorganic manure gave higher yields. Among the nutrient applications, the combination of high amount of urea with manure gave higher yields than the use of either higher amount of Dap, Urea with lower manure and unfertilized plot. There was significant difference among all the treatments consider: fresh weight, leaf area, plant stand and plant height. Returns from French beans grown with higher fertilizer combination rates (100kg urea, + 125kgDap and 3.75tones of manure were found to be the most profitable in terms of high returns and low risk, mainly because higher fertilizer use efficiency and residual effects on the soil properties than any of the treatments. The study recommends combined use of organic and inorganic manure with no effects on higher rate of manure combination for the arid environment as an insurance against total crop failure.

Keywords: Organic, Inorganic fertilizers, Urea, Dap, yield, growth, French bean

Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management Vol. 1 (3) 2008: pp. 8-17