Abstract
<em>Rhizobium</em> inoculant has been developed for bean production in Lake Victoria basin. Two types of compost have been developed, water hyacinth compost with cattle manure culture (H+CMC) or with effective microbes (H+EM). Influence of <em>Rhizobium</em> and composts on <em>Aphis fabae</em> and <em>Colletotrichum lindemuthianum</em> were investigated in the field. <em>Rhizobium</em> and hyacinth composts increased nodulation (×2 to 5); while <em>Aphis fabae </em>population increased (×2) on <em>Rhizobium</em>-inoculated plants with H+EM. Incidence of <em>C. lindemuthianum</em> was high in <em>Rhizobium</em>-inoculated plants. Plants that received diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer had few nodules, reduced germination, slow growth and low yields. In conclusion, the water hyacinth composts contain beneficial microbes that promote root nodulation by <em>Rhizobium</em>, which is necessary for nitrogen fixation, while enhancing tolerance to aboveground infestations by <em>A. fabae</em> and <em>C. lindemuthianum</em>. We raise questions on our results to stimulate research, considering that bean breeding programs in Africa have mainly focused on microbial pathogens, and not insect pests.
Highlights
Common bean Phaseolus vulgaris is an important food security crop, and the major source of plant protein within the Lake Victoria basin in East Africa (David & Sperling, 1999)
The water hyacinth composts contain beneficial microbes that promote root nodulation by Rhizobium, which is necessary for nitrogen fixation, while enhancing tolerance to aboveground infestations by A. fabae and C. lindemuthianum
Beans complement the shortage of animal protein in East Africa, especially in the prevailing situation whereby fish production has been greatly impeded by the disastrous spread of water hyacinth in Lake Victoria (Ntiba et al, 2001; Hecky et al, 2010)
Summary
Common bean Phaseolus vulgaris is an important food security crop, and the major source of plant protein within the Lake Victoria basin in East Africa (David & Sperling, 1999). Depletion of soil nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus has been a growing problem for bean production in East Africa (Kimani et al, 2007, 2008; Ayuke et al, 2011). Insect pests such as the black bean aphid Aphis fabae have been transmitting viral diseases (Beebe, 2012; Were et al, 2013), while fungal pathogens such as Colletotrichum lindemuthianum cause anthracnose disease of beans in East www.ccsenet.org/jps
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