Response of micro-dense bean varieties to fertility and water harvesting technologies in

the semi-arid areas of eastern Kenya

S.N. Nguluu, D.R. Karanja, D. Macharia, J. Karanja, J. Kavoi, , Mwangi Gatheru

First Bio-Innovate Regional Scientific ConferenceUnited Nations Conference Centre (UNCC-ECA)Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 25-27 February 2013

Justification• Moisture stress is major constraint within and

among seasons

• Integrated soil fertility research not done on micro-dense genotypes (Knowledge gap)

• Bean yields on farm 90-150 kg/ha in SR 2011 and LR 2012.

• Hence trial conducted in short rains 2011 and long rains 2012

Objective of the experiment

To determine the effect of water harvesting techniques and organic amendments on grain yield and Fe and Zn concentration of three market preferred bean genotypes; namely: Katumani bean 1, NUA 1 and NUA 4.

Reason for the experiment

• Harvest the water to increase yields and provide solution for food insecurity and low incomes

• Reduce soil degradation by increasing nutrient depletion

TreatmentsOpen furrows

tied ridges

flat ground

cattle manure

at 0 and 5 tons/ha

Results-overall effect of water harvesting and manure on

grain yieldsT=tied rigdes,TM=tied with manure=open furrow,

OM=open with manure, F=flat, FM=flat with manure

Results cont.

• Water harvesting and manure In SR rains increased grain yields by 34-47 %

• Water harvesting and manure in the LR 2012 increased bean grain yields by 39-68%

Results cont.Effect of water harvesting and manure on

bean genotypes in short rains 2011.

• Water harvesting and manure increased KAT B 1, NUA 1, and NUA 4 in SR 2011 grain yields by 41%, 61%, and 34% respectively.

Effect of water harvesting and manure on bean

genotypes in the long rains season 2012

Results cont.

• In LR 2012, bean grain yields for KAT B 1, NUA 1, and NUA 4 increased by 26%, 64% and 44% respectively.

Effect of water harvesting and manure on three bean genotypes in short and long

rains 2011 and 2012.

Leaf Zn

Fe leaf analysis

Acknowledgements

• Bioinnovate-Sida for financing the project

• Director KARI for supporting us to carry out the work

• NCPD-CLUSA NGO for farmer mobilization when disseminating the technologies

• Provincial Administration for farmers mobilisation to visit trials

• Technical assistants KARI-Katumani

Way forward

• Recommendations

• Grain Fe and Zn analysis

THANKS FOR LISTENING

END