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PROJECT REPORT COMPILED AT THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE

AND VETERINARY SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF CROP SCIENCE

AND CROP PROTECTION

A PROJECT REPORT PRESENTED BY:

BIWOTT KIPKEMBOI ELIAS

A22/1768/2010

TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBIPROJECT BOARD IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT

FOR THE ACACEMIC AWARD OF A BACHALORS DEGREE IN AGRICULTURE

EFFECTS OF SEED QUALITY ON EMERGENCE, GROWTH VIGOR

AND YIELD ON COMMON BEANS (Phaseolus vulgaris)

SUPERVISED BY: PROF. PATRICK AYIECHO OLWENY

DATE 12TH

NOV 2013- 4TH

APRIL 2014

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DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this report is my own original work and has not been presented for a degree course

in any other university.

BIWOTT KIPKEMBOI ELIAS

DATE……………………………………………………SIGNATURE……………………………….

SUPERVISOR DECLARATION

NAME:………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………

SIGNATURE…………………………………………………………………DATE………………………

………………………..

CHAIRPERSON PROJECT BOARD DEPARTMENT OF CROP SCIENCE AND CROP

PROTECTION UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

NAME:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………

SIGNATURE……………………………………………………………………

DATE………………………………………………………

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My profound gratitude goes to my supervisor PROF PATRICK AYIECHO OLWENY, the project board

and the CAVS field station that enabled me the successful completion of my project.

My special acknowledgement also goes to my friends for their moral support and advice which enabled

me complete my report successfully.

May the God bless you all and do you good.

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DEDICATION

It gives me particular pleasure to dedicate this report to my family, friends, mentor and my parents Mr.

Daniel Yego and Mrs. Mary Yego.

Your support, encouragement, motivation always believing in me has been profound. I thank God for

bringing you into my life and I will be ever grateful to you.

May God bless you and give you long life daddy and mummy

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Table of Contents

DECLARATION .......................................................................................................................................... 2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................................ 3

DEDICATION .............................................................................................................................................. 4

CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................................... 6

1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 6

1.1 PRODUCTION CONSTRAINTS ......................................................................................................... 9

1.2 PROBLEM AND JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY ....................................................................... 10

1.3 OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................................................... 11

1.3.1 Broad objective .................................................................................................................................. 11

1.3.2 Main objective ................................................................................................................................... 11

1.3.3 Hypothesis.......................................................................................................................................... 12

CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................................ 12

2.0 LITRETURE REVIEW ........................................................................................................................ 12

2.2 Production requirements ....................................................................................................................... 14

CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................................... 16

3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS .......................................................................................................... 16

3.1 Experimental site .................................................................................................................................. 16

3.1.2 Objective: .......................................................................................................................................... 16

3.1.3 Experimental design ........................................................................................................................... 16

3.2 METHOD ............................................................................................................................................. 17

3.2.1 Field layout ........................................................................................................................................ 17

3.3 DATA COLLECTION ......................................................................................................................... 18

3.4 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF DATA .............................................................................................. 19

CHAPTER FOUR ....................................................................................................................................... 19

4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ........................................................................................................... 19

4.1 CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................................... 23

4.2 RECOMMENDATION ........................................................................................................................ 24

CHAPTER 5 ............................................................................................................................................... 24

REFERENCESES ....................................................................................................................................... 25

APPENDIX ................................................................................................................................................. 26

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CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) is one of the five cultivated species from the

genusPhaseolusand is a major grain legume crop, third in importance after soybeans and

peanuts, but first in direct human consumption(Broughton et al.,2003). Legumes are an important

component in the diets of humans and animals through out the world and are cultivated under a

wide range of environmental conditions. Total world production exceeds 17 million tones with

China, Indonesia, India and Turkey among the largest producers and consumers of this

crop.(FAOSTAT, 2010)

Major producing countries for national consumption are Brazil, and Mexico, while in the United

States, Canada, Argentina and China are all exporting countries. The crop is also important in a

range of developing countries of Central America, of the Andean region of SouthAmerica and

eastern and southern Africa. (Singh, 1999)

In the year 2008 Kenya’s annual bean production was approximately 215000MT, which barely

met half the annual consumption of 450,000MT. Thenit mend that deficit must be met from

imports. The average production per hector is 500 kg or less compared to 1800to

2000kgperhector potential. (Africa Agriculture,2008). Kenya’s current bean stock are 2,564,000

bags of 90kgs with most farmers in Nyanza,Western, North Rift, Central province and Eastern

province still holding stock for home consumption. There was 14% achieved production

increase in beans in the year 2012 compared to 2011 with a production of 7,358,225 and

6,418,596 of 90kgs bags in 2012 and 2011 respectively under a total area of 1,065,180Ha and

1,036,738 Ha in the same order(MOA,2013)

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High yielding varieties require heavy rains and high soil fertility to yield well; these varieties

have been loosing area because of increased problem of soil fertility and associated diseases and

are being replaced by varieties that are well adapted to poor soil conditions. (P.M Kimani, 2001).

In these regions beans are grown both for subsistence agriculture and for regional market and

thus plays important role in food security and income generation by providing employment

opportunities (MOA, 2003)

Common beans are important for nutritional well being as well as poverty alleviation among

consumers and farmers with few other food or crop options. Much of the world’s bean

production is under smallholder farm ranging from 1-10 hectors in size. Per capita consumption

varies with each producing and consuming country and also among regions within a country

depending on consumer preference, bur can be as high as 66kgs/capita/year in Rwanda and parts

of western Kenya(Broughton et al, 2003)

Averages in the Americas are from 4-5kg/capita/year in the United States, to more than

10kgs/capita/year in Brazil to as much as 35kgs/capita/yea in Nicaragua.

Beans providesubstantial amounts of both protein and calories in the diet. In nutritional terms,

beans are often referred to as ‘’poor man’s meat’’ for their inexpensive price as protein source

compared to animal products and their rich content of minerals like zinc and iron and vitamins

(Beebe et al,2000). Beans are high in lysine, which is relatively deficient in maize, cassava and

rice making it a good compliment of the staples in the diet. Beans are also containing essential

nutrients such as ascorbic acid, vitamins A and B and calcium. They help in reducing cholesterol

and sugar levels in blood which prevent or alleviate certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes and

cardiovascular diseases. (Leterme, 2002 in Leterme and Munoz, 2002). In humans, Iron

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isessential for preventing anemia and for the proper functioning of many metabolic processes

while Zinc is essential for adequate growth and sexual maturation and for the resistance to

gastro-enteric and respiratory infections especially in children (Bouis, 2003). Research also

shows that these minerals can delay the onset of breast cancer, colon cancer and AIDS and as

such HIV positive patients are encouraged to include beans in their meals.

Dry beans grown for the seed requires between 80-105 days depending upon variety and planting

season. An important first step in the production of high yielding beans is the selection of

appropriate varieties, since some varieties are more suited for other climates and soil conditions.

By cultivating the appropriate varieties local farmers canbecome leading producers of beans

leading to self sufficient food and increased income. The evaluation and selection of high

yielding, disease and pest tolerant verities with quality characteristics acceptable to the local

consumers and market are essential to the improvement of local production.

Most bean varieties thrive well in warm climate. It grows optimally at a temperature of 18-240C

during the day, with the maximum temperature during flowering that should not exceed 300C.

Higher temperatures during flowering stage lead to abscission of flower and a low pod set

resulting in low yields or yield loss. Day temperature below 200C will delay maturity and cause

empty pod development. Ideal rainfall in rain fed conditions is between 400-500mm of rain

during the growing season. Production in Kenya is concentrated in the warm, high altitude areas

with well distributed rainfall. The most suitable elevation is between 1,100m and 2,100m above

sea levelTemperature especially during the night determines the length of the growing season of

cultivar.

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The crop grows well under deep soils of at least 90cm depth that have no deficiencies and well

drained, sandy loam. With sandy soils, problem of low fertility or nematodes damage may occur.

Optimum soil pH of 5.8-6.5 and are very sensitive to acidic pH of, 5.2 soils(acidic saturation

above 10%). They grow well in soils that are not compacted.

1.1 PRODUCTION CONSTRAINTS

Bean production in Kenya is faced with numerous challenges that need urgent solutions and

policies in order to increase its yield and quality. Some of these factors include;

1) Low seed availability, inaccessibility and lack of information about market, regional

suitability and adaptability, qualities for adoption. This makes the adoption of new

high yielding varieties slow and thus most farmers resort to obtain seeds from other

sources that are adaptable to their region and preferred by many consumers.

2) Declining soil fertility and high fertilizer costs. This problems have lead to replacement

of high yielding varieties with relatively tolerant variety to poor soil for instance

Rosecoco GLP2 replaced by Small Haricots and Mwitemania.

3) Drought caused by inadequate total rainfall, erratic rainfall distribution, long dry spells

and delayed onset and or cessation of rains as a result of climatic change. This delays

planting time, drying of crops, abscission of flowers and poor pod and seed setting

resulting to low yield.

4) Pests and diseases. They are the most destructive and cause damage to seeds, leaves, pods

and roots. New diseases and pests come up due to flood transmission or even

mutation.These diseases have made some susceptible varieties to be abandoned or

neglected. This makes management and control costly and difficult to poor farmers. Some

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of the diseases include; chocolate spot, leaf spot, downy mildew, powdery mildew, rust,

sclerotinia,foot and root rots, halo blight, anthracnoseand bean common mosaic

virus(BCMV). Some of the pestsare bean weevil, black bean aphids, thrips, white fly,

bean fly, and stem nematodes

5) Socio- economic and institutional constraints. This include declining terms of trade,

lack of capital, poor market access, land tenure systems, lack or low extension services.

This affects farmer’s purchasing power and awareness about production and marketing

related issues.

1.2 PROBLEM AND JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

Lack of good quality seeds, low seed availability, accessibility and lack of information on seed

quality among the farmers is a major problem adversely affecting the expansion of common bean

production in many rural smallholder farmers in Kenya.

Lack of knowledge amongthe farmersabout seed quality of the right bean variety seed quality to

be planted has led to low yields in bean production. Many farmers tend to use very poor bean

seed quality and adjust the seed sowing rates to cover a wide area during the planting which lead

to low plant population density per unit area and thus low yield.

This problem arises because most farmers keep their own seeds or buy them from an open air

markets and end up with the seed of low varietal purity or seed quality. This means quality

aspects like seed health, varietal and physical purity, germination,viability,vigor, size or weight,

age and seed deterioration and effects on final yield are not considered.

Also some farmers harvest their seeds when the crop is not fully mature, poor handling during

and after harvesting and poor storage facilities and conditions that lead to infection by diseases

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and other vectors leading to low viability and quality planting seeds in the following planting

season.

If the farmers therefore acquire good knowledge about the right bean seed quality, access the

seed and are made available to them at the right time of planting season, these would result to

increased emergence and growth vigorthus increased yield.

Adjustment of sowing rates by farmers in order to economize in terms of costs and also cover a

larger area of land has led to increased costs in terms of inputs like fertilizer and labor costs but

farmers still get low yields. Then, if the seed quality did not have some potential to influence

crop yield, there would be no need for all these lot of seed certification

This study plans to investigate the effects of seed quality on emergence, growth vigor and yield

on common beans.

1.3 OBJECTIVES

1.3.1 Broad objective

The broad objective is to improve bean production by use of quality bean seed that is high

yielding, disease and pest tolerant or free, tolerant or adaptable to most adverse climatic

conditions leading to improved productivity, profitability and sustainability for food security and

market readiness. This also contributes to alleviation of malnutrition, food insecurity and poverty

among resources poor farmers in the rural.

1.3.2 Main objective

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To determine the affects of seed quality on emergence, growth vigor and yield on common beans

(Phaseolus vulgaris L)

1.3.3 Hypothesis

Quality bean seeds have no effect on emergence, growth vigor and yield of common beans.

CHAPTER TWO 2.0 LITRETURE REVIEW

2.1 Origin and botanical description

Common beans have originated in Latin America and have two primary centers of origin in the

Mesoamerica and Andean regions and occur in different types, colors, shapes and sizes. (Singh,

1999)

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) isan annual leguminous plant that belongs to the

genusPhaseolus withpinnately compounded trifoliate large leaves. It is largely self pollinated

plant but though cross pollination is possible if the stigma contacts with pollen coated bee when

extended. Seeds are non endospermic and varygreatly in size and color from the small black, or

mottled seeds to the large brown , white, red, black or mottled seeds of different cultivars, which

are 7-16 mm long (Cobley and Steele, 1976). They show variations in growth habits from

determinate bush to indeterminate, extreme climbing types.

Seed germination, vigor and size have direct or indirect effects on percentage germination,

emergence and time from sowing to emergence. This influence yields by altering plant

population density, spatial arrangement and crop production. Seed vigor is the sum total of those

properties of the seeds which determine the potential level of activity and performance of the

seed or seed lot during germination and seedling emergence.

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If seed quality only affected the percentage emergence the growers could overcome such effects

by adjusting the seed sowing rates. (Ellis R.H., et al.,1992).However, if a seed lot is sown in a

number of occasions and locations emergence will be vary due to different environmental

conditions. Seedling emergence therefore results from a complex interaction of seed quality and

the seedbed environment.

In general, poorer quality seeds will show symptoms typical of seed aging, such as low viability,

reduced germination and emergence rates, poor tolerance to sub optimal conditions and low

seedling growth rates. Seedborne pathogens can adversely affect germination and early seedling

growth to reduce and delay seedling growth. If seedling emergence is inadequate, crop yield will

be reduced and in most situations no amount of efforts and expenses later on crop development

can be compensated for these effects.

There is a clear relationship existing between crop density and yield with yield increasing

asymptotically as the density increases. Therefore the number of seedlings emerging does not

only affect total crop yield, but the size of individual plant and the graded yields, time taken to

reach maturity and uniformity of the plant at maturity ( Finch-Sevege WE, 2010).

Grain weight influences germination, seed vigor, seedling establishment and yield.Seed quality

determines the optimum growth and yield production in the farm which is influenced by many

factors such as genetic characteristics, viability, germination percentage, vigor, moisture content,

storage conditions, survival ability and seed health ( Akbaret al., 2004) . Seedling growing

requires a lot of food reserves to provide energy for dependent growing seedlings on seed

reserves. High seed weights depending on embryo size and seed storages for germination and

emergence increases germination percentage,tillering, density and yields.

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Khan (2003) documented that with increasing in seed weight of Artocarposheterophylus L from

4-6g to 12-14g, the germination percentage increased from about 15% to about 85%. Thus there

is a positive correlation between seed weights and percentage seed germination. Seeds attain

there vigor at the end of seed filling and retain their high quality for some time and thereafter

begin to deteriorate on the mother plant or during storage, loosing viability and vigor. This is

related positively to the ambient temperature, relative humidity and seed moisture content.

When deterioration is advanced, rate and uniformity of germination and seedling emergence and

tolerance to environmental stress decreases (GhassemiGolezaniet al., 2008).

Timely harvesting is crucial for maximum seed viability and vigor. Harvesting too early and or

too late results in seed of reduced quality. The optimum harvest time should be determined very

carefully to maximize both the quality and quantity of seed production with least damage by

observing various indicators of maturity like seed moisture content, morphology traits(color of

seed, pod and fruit), maximum dry weight and growing degree days as used by researchers.

Seed size is a physical indicator of seed quality that affects vegetative growth and is frequently

related to yield, market grade factors and harvest efficiency. Higher vigor that occurs in larger

seeds is due to the larger food storage reserves in the seeds.

2.2 Production requirements

2.2.1 Climatic requirements

Beans are warm season crop and grow in Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley and Central Kenya. In

requires an optimum altitude range between 1000-2100m above sea level. Beans requirea

medium rainfall of 750-4000mm annually as too much rainfall and longer drought spells lead to

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reduced yields. Grows optimally at temperature of 180

-240 C and maximum temperature should

not exceed 300 C especially during flowering as this causes flower abscission, poor pod set, drop

and low yield. Day temperatures below 200

C delay maturity, empty pods and reduced yields.

Beans does well in soil pH of 5.8-6.5 and very sensitive to pH <5.2 soils

Land preparation

Land is cultivated early enough to free it from weeds and ready for planting before rain onset.

Fine soil tilthseedbed is done during secondary cultivation a week before planting.

Planting and fertilizer application

Seed rate is one seed per hole. The rows are spaced at 50cm apart and seeds planted 10cm apart

within the rows for single stand

Done at the onset of rains, as delayed planting lowers yield or crop while late planting lead to

moisture stress in cycle of growth. Sow seeds at a planting depth of 3-6cm deep.

Organic fertilizer (FYM) or inorganic fertilizer is recommended for use during planting. They

are used to supply nitrogen, phosphorous potassium and other essential nutrients for beans since

the soils are low in fertility in most regions of Kenya. FYM at the rate of 15- 20 tones is highly

accepted in areas with low organic matter, applied one week before planting. Inorganic fertilizer

like DAP, TSP and NPK are applied at a rate of about 5g or one bottle top per plant. It is

thoroughly mixed with soil to avoid seed scorching problem.

Weed control -Perform two weeding, the fist one during 2-3 weeks after planting and the second

one two weeks after or before flowering to avoid flower abortion.

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Harvesting and storage- Hand harvest when pods have turned brown and not very dry to avoid

shuttering if the field. Dry, thresh, winnow, sort outbroken and disease/ pest damaged seeds and

dress with insecticides and fungicides.

CHAPTER THREE 3.0MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Experimental site

The study was carried out at Kabete Campus field station, University of Nairobi. The field

station farm lies 1015

’S and 36

044’E and is at an altitude of 1940m. The soils are well drained,

very deep(>180cm), dark red to dark reddish brown, friable clay (Gachene,1989). The soil is

classified as a humicNitisols (FAO, 1990, WRB, 2006). There is no surface sealing or crusting

and the profile has clay cutans throughout the B-horizon (Gachene, 1999).

The climate of the study area can be characterized is semi-humid. The ration of annual average rainfall to

annual potential evaporation is 58%. The site experiences a bimodal rainfall distribution with long rains in

mid March- May and the short rains in mid October-December. The mean annual rainfall is 1006mm. the

land is cultivated for horticultural crops such as kales(Brassica oleracea), tomatoes

(Lycopersicumesculatum), cabbage (Brassica oleracea), carrots (Daucuscarrota), onions (Allium

fistulosum), fruits tress such as avocados (Persea Americana) and coffee (Coffea Arabica) as cash crops.

3.1.2 Objective: To determine the effects of seed quality on emergence, growth vigor and yield

oncommon beans (Phaseolus vulgaris).

3.1.3 Experimental design

The research was carried out using one bean varietyRose coco GLP2of varying seed qualities

which were certified seed, farmer’s saved seed and market bought seed. The experiment was laid

on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three treatments each replicated three

times.

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3.1.4 Planting materials

a) Certified seeds. The bean variety was obtained from recognized seed stockistfrom the

market. These are true to type and are free from pests and diseases. These seeds are

preferred by farmers in the regions because they are tolerant to rust common bacterial

blight (CBB), halo blight, angular leaf spots (ALS), and anthracnose and bean common

mosaic virus (BCMV). It is high yielding potential of 1320-2300Kgs per hector, short

maturity period (80-85 days) and upright growth habit.

b) Market bought and farmer’s saved seed. The seeds were obtained from identified

farmer in the area and other bought from open air market in the area.

3.2 METHOD 3.2.1 Field layout

The three treatments were replicated three times thus making up a total of 9 plots with

experimental plot dimensions of 2.0m × 1.0m. Path width of 0.5m to allow free movement within

all plots and half a meter path left all round the field. The total experimental field dimension was

4.5m by 7.5m making a total area of 33.5m2.

Each plot had 4 rows 50cm apart and seeds planted

at spacing of 10cm apart within the row. Each row then had 10plants making up 40 plants per

plot.The treatments were assigned to each plot randomly through use of CRD method.

Chemical fungicides and insecticides were used in the trial to ensure high-performance of the

bean qualities under optimal condition but this was done after one month after data collection on

white fly infestation. The crops were sprayed after one month using fungicide Milras and the

insecticide Danadim (Dimethoate) in separate application as a preventive measure against insect

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pests and disease. Insecticide delayed to check on effects of bean fly insect infestation. Weeds

were controlled by hand pulling/ weeding.

The usual cultural practices like weeding, pests and disease scouting were observed to ensure

that an even stands of plots. The plants were planted with DAP 18:46:0 (Diammonium

phosphate) fertilizer at the rate of about 5g per plant or one bottle top per plant, applied in one

application during planting.

3.3 DATA COLLECTION

Data was collected on the following parameters;

1. Percentage germination- Percentage germination was recorded by randomly picking

300 seeds and divided into three replications of 100 seeds on a bed of germination paper

in plastic dishes placed in room temperature and germinated seeds counted after 7 days.

2. Percentage emergence- Emergence percentage was recorded by counting the number of

plants after 14 days from planting date from each plot and finding percentage.

3. Number of pods and seeds- Total number of pods per plot were counted and recorded

during harvesting. The seed were counted from each pod with at least one seedin each

plot at harvesting.

4. Plant vigor- Plant vigor was recorded based on a score of 1-4. 1= Poor (small seedling,

weak stems and stunted growth), 2= Moderate, 3=Good and 4= Excellent (tall seedlings,

strong stems and several pods). This data was recorded 60 days after planting by visual

observation.

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5. Cultivar/ genetic purity- This was achieved by randomly selecting three samples of 100

seeds from each treatment and counting the off types and finding the percentage in

planting materials.

6. Seed weight/ size- This was done by randomly selecting 3 samples of 100 seeds from

each seed samples and taking their weights then find the averages.

7. Weight of yield- This was recorded at the time of harvest upon maturation of beans. The

beans were harvested by hand when pods have lost more moisture but not very dry to

avoid shuttering. Each plot was harvested separately and the pods threshed the seeds

dried and weighted. Mean weights then expressed as grams per plot.

An account of range of maturity dates, disease and pest levels are examinedand shape of the pods

determined by visual examination.

3.4 STATISTICALANALYSIS OF DATA

Data was analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the Genstat package to investigate

the treatment effects. Group / Means comparisons were made using the LSD at 5% level of

significance to test the significant difference between certified, market and farmer seeds.

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Seed quality significantly influenced percentage emergence (<0.05) in the field. Seedling

percentage emergence was higher in market seed. However, the difference in emergence

percentage between certified and farmer seeds lots were not statistically significant. (Table 1).

Since there is a strong relationship between the plant density and yield ( GhassemiGolezani,

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1992); optimum stand establishment can potentially improve crop yield under different

environmental conditions

Table 1: Means of the % germination, % emergence, % genetic purity and bean fly

infection.

Seed Quality %

germination

%

emergence

%genetic

purity

% bean fly

infestation

Vigor

Certified Seed 91.67 86.67 100.00 10.58 Good

Farmer Seed 88.33 89.17 82.67 42.99 Poor

Market Seed 92.67 98.33 85.67 11.40 Good

Table 2: Means of 100 seed weight, Number of seeds, Number of pods and yield (g)

Seed Quality 100 seed weight Number of pods Number of seed Yield (g)

Certified Seed 40.873 g 193 616.67 185.23

Farmer Seed 38.451g 164 318.67 70.816

Market Seed. 47.481g 216 644.00 190.38

While the highest final germination percentage was obtained from large and heavier seeds, the

final germination percentage was obtained from small seeds or lighter seeds. This indicates that

heavier seed with larger endosperm enhanced emergence ability and larger bean seeds had

greater supply of stored energy to support early seed growth and consequently its plant status.

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100 grain seed weight for plants from market seed lots was higher than that from high quality

seeds lots. However, the highest grain yield per unit area was recorded for plant market bought

seeds followed by those from certified seeds then farmer saved seeds. (Table 2).

These results clearly indicate the reduction of grain yield per unit area was mainly influenced by

poor stand establishment of plants from farmer saved seeds lots that were highly damaged

bybeanfly (Table 1)

Tabular representation of results

0

50

100

150

200

250

BLOCK 1 BLOCK 2 BLOCK 3

CERTIFIED SEED

FARMER SEED

MARKET SEED

Means for BLOCKS at different levels of TREATMENT

2

175

150

125

100

75

3

225

1

50

200

BLOCKS

CERTIFIED

FARMER SEED

MARKET SEED

Graph 1: Yield comparisons Graph 2: yield comparisons

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0

50

100

150

200

250

300

block 1 block 2 block 3

CERTIFIED

FARMER

MARKET

Number of pods

0

200

400

600

800

1000

BLOCK 1 BLOCK 2 BLOCK 3

CERTIFIED

FARMER

MARKET

Comparisons of number of seeds per block

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

series 1 series 2 series 3

CERTIFIED

FARMER

MARKET

100 seed weight

Graph 4 :There is increased yield down slope of the field

We

igh

t in

gra

ms

Graph5: Comparisons of 100 seed weights.

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Decreasing grain yield per unit area due to cultivation of low quality seeds were also reported for

soybeans (Saha and Sultan, 2008) and maize (GhassemiGolezani and Dalil, 2011)

It was observed that there is a strong relationship between vigor, seed weight, number of seeds

and number of seeds as they all increased with increase of the other factor leading to increase in

yield. There was no significance difference at (p< 0.05) for yields of market and certified seeds.

The farmer seed aside from having lowest yield also had the least percentage germination and

vigor compared. However, the farmer and market seeds were discolored, different sizes and

varieties, contain inert substances, weeds and damaged by pests. This implies that there is a

challenge to use the farmer saved seed.

These advantages in individual plant performance were not sufficient to compensate for low

stand establishment. Consequently, grain yield per unit area significantly improved with

increasing seed vigor, even within the range of acceptable germination.

4.1 CONCLUSION

It may be concluded from this experiment that positive relation was found between heavier seeds

lot and germination and seedling growth in all the tested parameters. However, standard

germination values can’t be directly used to predict field emergence. This investigation has

revealed that heavier seeds especially from certified seeds have high seedling survival, growth

and establishment under favorable conditions like drought and disease conditions.

Certified seeds showed uniformity in grain size and varietal purity whereas market and farmer

seed showed mixed colors and varied sizes that does not support market appeal and high prices.

Means for BLOCKS at different levels of TREATMENT

2

175

150

125

100

75

3

225

1

50

200

BLOCKS

CERTIFIED

FARMER SEED

MARKET SEED

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Therefore cultivation of high quality seeds is essential for satisfactory high yield production.

Poor stand establishment caused by low seed quality and consequently yield loss in beans.

4.2 RECOMMENDATION

It may be concluded from this experiment that positive relation was found between large seed

that are of high quality and germination, emergence, growth vigor and yield in all the tested

parameters. However, standard germination values can not be directly used to predict field

emergence. The results have revealed that high quality seeds have high seedling survival, growth

and establishment underunfavorable conditions. The result also suggests that the seed vigor

differed among the three seed qualities.

Further studies or research should be conducted over different market samples and information

gathered in different seasons to find seasons that bean seeds from certified seeds can be replanted

by low income rural farmers before yield drops

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CHAPTER 5

REFERENCESES

1. FAOSTAT (2010) : Food and Agricultural Organization at www.fao.org

2. Cobley L.S and W.M. Steele (1976). An Introduction to the botany of tropical crops,

Longman group Limited, London.

3. Leterme,P. and C. Monoz (2000). Factors influencing Pulse Consumption in Latin

America. British Jurnal of Nutrition 88, suppl 3, ss251-s254

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APPENDIX

Variate yield Grams

Source of variation df ss mss v.r Fpr

Blocks 2 6408.4 3204.2 4.52 0.094

Treatment 2 27413.8 13706.9 19.36 0.009

Residual 4 2832.6 708.2 ………. ………

totals 8 36654.8 ………….. ………. ………

LSD= 60.32 ande.s.e 15.36