Bean Yield Research Articles

Growth and Yield of Komak Beans (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet) with Application of Photosynthetic Bacteria PNSB under Shade

The research was conducted to determine the effect of the application of PNSB on the growth and yield of komak beans under shade. The experiment was arranged in a Split Plot Design, consisting of two factors, namely shade as the Main Plot and concentration of PNSB as Sub-Plots. The shade consists of two levels (no shade and 50% shade). The PNSB concentration consists of three levels (0; 5; and 10 mL L-1). Each treatment was carried out with four replications. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and continued with Duncan's Multiple Range Test at a 5% significance level. The results showed that the effect of shade was significantly different on stem diameter at 70 DAP, chlorophyll content (a, b, and total), and the number of dry seeds, very significantly different to stem diameter at 105 DAP, dry pod weight, number of dry pods, dry seed weight, and light intensity. 50% shade reduces the yield component even if PNSB is provided. The effect of PNSB was not significantly different on all variables, except for the number of leaves at 35 DAP and total N content. Application of PNSB 10 mL L-1 increased the number of leaves aged 35 DAP and the total N content, both without shade and with shade, increased total chlorophyll content with 50% shade, but decreased without shade.

Determination of the Appropriate Blended Inorganic Fertilizer Rate Recommendation for the Optimal Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Grain Yield and Profitability in the Dawuro Zone, Ethiopia

Soil fertility decline is a significant factor affecting crop production. In a specific area, fertilizer application for a crop depends on soil type and profitability. Moreover, optimizing chemical fertilizer utilization in crop production is crucial from both environmental and economic perspectives. However, there is limited information available on the optimum NPSB fertilizer rate for common bean production in the study area. Thus, the study aimed to establish area-specific NPSB fertilizer rate recommendations for optimal grain yield and profitability of common bean. The field experiment was conducted in two locations in the 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons. The treatments included 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, and 200 kg·ha−1 NPSB fertilizer rates, and they were planted using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The combined location analysis of variance indicated that the application of NPSB fertilizer significantly influenced plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, hundred-seed weight, biomass yield, grain yield, and harvest index. The highest grain yields (2815 kg·ha−1 and 3433 kg·ha−1) were recorded with the application of a 125 kg·ha−1 NPSB blended fertilizer rate, while the lowest grain yields (1429 kg·ha−1 and 1500 kg·ha−1) were produced from the nonfertilizer applied plot in Deneba and Wara, respectively. The combined location mean showed that the maximum grain yield (3124 kg·ha−1), followed by 2710 kg·ha−1, was produced by the application of 125 and 100 kg·ha−1 NPSB fertilizer rates, respectively. The data indicate that raising the NPSB fertilizer rate from 0 to 125 kg·ha−1 would greatly boost grain yield in the common bean in both locations in a similar manner. The economic analysis revealed that applying 125 kg·ha−1 of NPSB fertilizer earned the highest net benefits (140453.2 ETB·ha−1) with the highest marginal rate of return (1745.26%). Therefore, for high yield and profitability of common bean, a rate of 125 kg·ha−1 NPSB fertilizer is suggested in the study area and similar agro-ecological zones.

The influence of monosodium glutamate dosage on the yield of long beans (Vigna sinensis L.) Peleton variety

This study aims to determine the effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG) dosage on the yield of long beans (Vigna sinensis L.) of the Peleton variety. The use of MSG as a food ingredient has been a topic of debate, but research on its impact on plant growth is still limited, especially regarding long beans. Therefore, this research is important for providing further understanding of the influence of MSG on long beans plants. The study was conducted from July to October 2023 in Mata Air Village, Central Kupang District, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. The research method used was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 9 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments included: No MSG, MSG at doses of 2.5 g/plant, 5 g/plant, 7.5 g/plant, 10 g/plant, 12.5 g/plant, 15 g/plant, 17.5 g/plant, and 20 g/plant. Parameters observed included flowering age (days), number of pods (pieces), pod length (cm), and pod weight (g). Based on the results and discussion, it can be concluded that MSG application had a significant effect on the number, length, and weight of pods, but had a non-significant effect on flowering age. The treatment of 15 g/plant was identified as the optimal MSG dosage for the plants, resulting in the highest number of pods (16.2), longest pod length (60.4 cm), and highest pod weight (256.4 g/plant). This research is innovative in exploring the potential use of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on long beans plants, particularly the Peleton variety. The focus on MSG application as a growth stimulant is an innovative step that has been less studied previously. The discovery of the optimal MSG dosage (15 g/plant) for achieving the best results provides valuable information for farmers to enhance productivity efficiently, sustainably, and environmentally friendly. Information about MSG’s potential as a plant stimulant can serve as a starting point for more sustainable agricultural strategies aimed at optimizing available resources.

Performance of BSMRAU-developed vegetables under fruit tree-based agroforestry systems

Many field crop lands are being transformed to fruit orchards in different locations of Bangladesh. There is an ample scope to cultivate intercrops in the orchards following scientific manner and proper technology including suitable varieties. In this study, mango and orange orchards were transformed to agroforestry system in Kotchandpur upazila under Jhenaidah district to investigate the performances of selected vegetable varieties (bottle gourd, stem amaranth, papaya, cauliflower, and country bean) developed by the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU). Randomized complete block design was used to compare agroforestry (mango and orange orchards) and non-agroforestry (open field) treatments for identifying suitable tree-vegetable combinations. The results indicated that yields of the tested vegetables were higher in the non-agroforestry system (crop field without trees) compared to the agroforestry system. Yields of bottle gourd stem amaranth, cauliflower, and country bean in agroforestry systems decreased by 21, 7, 18, and 19%, respectively, compared to non-agroforestry system. On the contrary, yield reductions were 7.9, 15.7, 3.9 and 4.6% in mango-based agroforestry than orange-based agroforestry for bottle gourd, stem amaranth, cauliflower, and country bean, respectively. The findings suggested that although all the tested vegetables can be grown in agroforestry, but creeping type vegetables are less suitable. Despite the observed reduction in yields, the fruit tree-based agroforestry system demonstrated its potential as a viable alternative, offering to reduce crop failure risk to the farmers and optimizing land utilization. The order of the suitability of the tested vegetables are stem amaranth > cauliflower > country bean > bottle gourd in agroforestry systems. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. 27(2):191-199

Insights from Morpho-Physiological Traits Imparting Tolerance for Preharvest Sprouting of Mungbean Genotypes

Due to the absence of fresh seed dormancy (FSD) in mung bean seeds makes them susceptible to pre-harvest sprouting (PHS). Mung bean yield has been proved to be 60–70% reduced in response to PHS, an abiotic stress. By understanding this problem present study was carried out at at experimental field, Department of Agricultural Botany (Plant Physiology) (20.70060N, 77.03710E), PGI, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola during kharif (rainy) season 2012-13. The experiment entitled “Insights from morpho-physiological traits imparting tolerance for preharvest sprouting of munbean genotypes”. The design of experiment is Randomized block design in three replications with sixteen genotypes. It was observed that on the basis of morpho-physiological traits viz., high hard seed %, pod pubescence, lower germination in pod and seed, less seed and pod moisture genotype AKM-9801, AKM-9907, BM-2002-1 and AKM-10-05, genotypes were found to be tolerant to preharvest sprouting. And more interesting fact is the seed yield per hector found efficient in AKM-8802 and AKM-9907. So, it was found that AKM 9907 is best suitable variety of mungbean in kharif season to prevent crop from whether damage and improve yield also.

Optimization of N Fertilizer and Synergistic Intercropping to Enhance the Productivity Advantage of Faba Bean and Effective Control of Chocolate Spot Epidemics.

Intercropping of wheat/faba bean is a common practice within the legume-cereal family. However, the benefits of nitrogen (N) fertilizer-optimized synergistic intercropping in improving faba bean productivity while controlling the prevalence of chocolate spot disease have not been established. This study conducted continuous field experiments spanning two planting seasons to investigate two key findings: (i) Optimizing N fertilizer application can enhance the productivity of intercropped faba bean. (ii) The percentage severity index (PSI) during the period of maximum prevalence rate (Rmax) of faba bean chocolate spot disease poses a substantial challenge to faba bean yield. The results indicated that the land equivalent ratio and transgressive overyielding index for each intercropping treatment increased with higher N fertilizer application, exceeding a value of 1, and the land saving proportion also exceeded 0. Intercropping primarily enhances productivity, as measured by the harvest index (HI), by amplifying the complementary effect rather than the selection effect, thus improving the net benefit of intercropping. The HI of single and intercropped faba bean increased with the N1 and N2 treatments in both planting seasons. However, the HI of single and intercropped faba bean at the N3 level decreased significantly, ranging from 17.85 to 29.62%. Furthermore, a notable negative correlation was established between the PSI during critical epidemic (initial epidemic, maximum epidemic rate, and late epidemic) periods and observed and expected faba bean yields. As the PSI increased, faba bean yields decreased, and the PSI of intercropping at different periods was lower than that observed in the single cropping. Additionally, intercropping with the optimized N fertilizer treatment (N2 treatment) exhibited an enhanced relative control effect on chocolate spot disease in faba bean, ranging from 35.21 to 52.36%. This finding confirmed the productivity advantage of intercropping faba bean. In conclusion, this study suggested that optimizing N fertilizer application can enhance the productivity of intercropped faba bean. Wheat/faba bean intercropping effectively controlled the PSI during the period of Rmax, which would otherwise threaten faba bean yield. Consequently, this practice ensured sustained advantages of wheat/faba bean intercropping.

Assessment of Safe Vegetable Cultivation at Jashore in Bangladesh: Evidence from Country Bean, Cucumber and Pointed Gourd Cultivation

The study was designed to assess the present status and methods of safe vegetable production at farm level in selected areas of Jashore during January-May, 2023. For the study ninety sample farmer were selected by stratified sampling from three sub-district of Jashore. Average farm size was 0.79 ha in study area. Farmer doing different agronomic management such as weeding, irrigation, spraying, de-topping, stalking, earthing up etc. Farmer used different methods simultaneously such as insecticide spray, bio-pesticide, sex pheromone, yellow trap, white trap, hand picking etc. for controlling insect pest. About sixty-four percent farmer sprayed synthetic pesticide and rest of them used bio control method such as bio-pesticide (bio-chamak, eco-mac, bio-envir, bio-cin), sex pheromone trap, yellow trap and hand picking for control insect pest in their fields. About fifty-eight percent farmer used bio-fertilizer along with organic fertilizer (manure, vermin compost) and seventy-eight percent farmer used chemical fertilizer for vegetable cultivation. Total production cost of country bean was Tk.3,36,579 ha-1, cucumber was Tk.3,25,915 ha-1 and pointed gourd was Tk.4,40,106 ha-1. Among the cost item labor cost was highest. Average yield of country bean was 30.60 tha-1, cucumber was 30.08 tha-1 and pointed gourd was 41.60 tha-1. Highest benefit cost ratio was cucumber (2.13) followed by pointed gourd (2.07) and country bean (1.50), that means safe vegetable cultivation also profitable. Farmer awareness, havoc attack of pest and insect were the main problem for safe vegetable cultivation. Market facilities, demand, value chain, proper price for organic vegetable, and farmer motivation can promote and enhance safe vegetable cultivation.

Modeling Yield of Irrigated and Rainfed Bean in Central and Southern Sinaloa State, Mexico, Based on Essential Climate Variables

The goal was to model irrigated (IBY) and rainfed (RBY) bean yields in central (Culiacán) and southern (Rosario) Sinaloa state as a function of the essential climate variables soil moisture, temperature, reference evapotranspiration, and precipitation. For Sinaloa, for the period 1982–2013 (October–March), the following were calculated: (a) temperatures, (b) average degree days for the bean, (c) cumulative reference evapotranspiration, and (d) cumulative effective precipitation. For essential climate variables, (e) daily soil moisture obtained from the European Space Agency and (f) IBY and RBY from the Agrifood and Fisheries Information Service were used. Multiple linear regressions were significant for predicting IBY–RBY (dependent variables) as a function of essential climate variables (independent variables). The four models obtained were significantly predictive: IBY–Culiacán (Pearson correlation (PC) = 0.590 > Pearson critical correlation (CPC) = |0.349|), RBY–Culiacán (PC = 0.734 > CPC = |0.349|), IBY–Rosario (PC = 0.621 > CPC = |0.355|), and RBY–Rosario (PC = 0.532 > CPC = |0.349|). Due to the lack of irrigation depth data, many studies only focus on modeling RBY; this study is the first in Sinaloa to predict IBY and RBY based on essential climate variables, contributing to the production of sustainable food.

Effect of sowing date and spacing on growth and yield of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.)

Effect of sowing date and spacing on growth and yield of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.)

Effect of humic acid and zinc sulphate on growth and yield of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Effect of humic acid and zinc sulphate on growth and yield of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Effects of NPSB Fertilizers Rate on the Yield of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) at Tocha District, Southern Ethiopia

Use of balanced nutrition means supplying other essential plant nutrients in adequate amount and proportion along with N and P. This implies N and P fertilizers are not the only yield determining nutrients but also S, B, and Cu nutrients are important nutrient for crop production. A trial was conducted in Tocha District to evaluate the rate of blended fertilizers to improve Common bean yield during main cropping season of 2019 and 2020. The experiment consists of seven treatment including (1) control, (2) NPSB: 18.9-37.7-6.95-0.1 (3) NPSB: 28.35-56.55-10.425-0.15 (4) NPSB: 37.8-75.4-13.9-0.2, (5) NPSB: 18.9-37.7-6.95-0.1+0.4kgCu, (6) NPSB: 28.35-56.55-10.425-0.15+0.4kgCu and (7) NPSB: 37.8-75.4-13.9-0.2+0.4kgCu. Soil physic chemical properties of the experimental site had moderately acidic, moderate level of OC and total N, high level of exchangeable K, very high level of CEC, low level of available P and clay loam textural class. In generally, application of blended fertilizer yielded better when compared with control. NPSB with the ratio of 37.8-75.4-13.9-0.2 (200kg NPSB) gave significantly optimum yield (4368.83 kg ha-1) compared to other treatments and also the highest net benefit (18725 ETB/ha) was obtained with acceptable marginal rate of return (MRR) (375.91%) which is more than the minimum acceptable MRR (100%) considered in this experiment. Similarly, NPSB 18.9-37.7-6.95-0.1 gave considerable net benefit with acceptable MRR. Therefore, based on the yield response and economic indicators, 200kg NPSB (37.8-75.4-13.9-0.2) is recommended as the best option and 100kg NPSB (18.9-37.7-6.95-0.1) as an alternative option for common bean producers at Tocha district and areas with the same soil conditions and agro-ecology.

Effect of nitrogen and sulphur levels on yield and economics of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.)

Effect of nitrogen and sulphur levels on yield and economics of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.)

Efficacy of different rhizobia strains with specific common beans landraces in biological nitrogen fixation

Bean production in Tanzania barely meets half of the domestic demand because of low yield attributed to low fertility, nitrogen being the most common deficient. The use of rhizobia inoculants can substantially increase bean yields. However, less than 1% of the farming population is aware of inoculants. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of different rhizobia strains with specific common beans landraces in biological nitrogen fixation and yields. Four experiments were conducted during in a screen house at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). Two experiment consisted Leonard jar and the other two were pot experiments in which the soil used were either sterilized or unsterilized. The landraces collected were Kasuka Nywele, Msafiri and Manjano from Mbeya; Nyayo, Soya and Kachumbaa from Arusha; and Kabungu, Nyamungu and Karanga from Morogoro. Two sets of Leonard jars were arranged in completely randomized block design in triplicate and the other two pot experiments were arranged in split split plot design. Inoculants in pot experiments used were Nitro-SUA, Underwood Biostacked as commercial and native. Landrace were the main plot, soil sterilization as a sub plot and inoculants as sub sub plot replicated three times. Data were subjected to analysis of variance using GENSTAT software. Significance differences in N2 fixation were observed among all landraces in all experiments, promising results were observed from Nyayo, Nyamungu, Msafiri and Kabungu. Native rhizobia had comparable symbiotic effectiveness to commercial inoculants in unsterilized soils and vice versa in sterilized soils conditions though soil sterilization was not significant. The findings on this study provide rooms for further research especially on the promising landraces to nodulation and explore their effectiveness.

Rootstock influences on growth and bearing precocity in juvenile cocoa

Within the cocoa germplasm used for variety development in West Africa, knowledge of varieties that are suitable as rootstocks to promote growth and precocity of clones is lacking. Six cocoa varieties were used to generate 36 clones for evaluation. For each of the six scions selected as ortets from previous progeny trials, the corresponding seed-derived family was regenerated through manual pollinations. The scions were grafted in a full diallel fashion on each of the six seed-derived family, and field evaluated in four replications following a randomized complete block design. Also, seed-derived varieties were evaluated in the nursery for vigour characteristics, and under similar conditions as the 36 clones in the field. Genotype heterozygosity at 72 SNP loci was significantly correlated with vigour characteristics of the six varieties. Seed-derived varieties of high vigour benefited clone performance for vigour, and dry bean yield when used as rootstocks but not as scion. The maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) was different among seed-derived varieties and clones in the dry season but not the rainy season. Among clones, higher Fv/Fm values were associated with higher-vigour rootstock varieties. Diallel grafting model enabled partitioning of total variance into several sub-components. The variance due to specific compatibility ability was not significant for any of the measured traits. Decomposition of the reciprocal variance revealed that significant reciprocal effects were mainly due to significant maternal (rootstock) effects. The key finding is that, for any scion, the most precocious clone is obtained by grafting on high vigour rootstock varieties.

Potassium augments growth, yield, nutrient content, and drought tolerance in mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek.)

Uneven rainfall and high temperature cause drought in tropical and subtropical regions which is a major challenge to cultivating summer mung bean. Potassium (K), a major essential nutrient of plants can alleviate water stress (WS) tolerance in plants. A field trial was executed under a rainout shelter with additional K fertilization including recommended K fertilizer (RKF) for relieving the harmful impact of drought in response to water use efficiency (WUE), growth, yield attributes, nutrient content, and yield of mung bean at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Ishwardi, Pabna in two successive summer season of 2018 and 2019. Drought-tolerant genotype BMX-08010-2 (G1) and drought-susceptible cultivar BARI Mung-1 (G2) were grown by applying seven K fertilizer levels (KL) using a split-plot design with three replications, where mung bean genotypes were allotted in the main plots, and KL were assigned randomly in the sub-plots. A considerable variation was observed in the measured variables. Depending on the different applied KL and seed yield of mung bean, the water use efficiency (WUE) varied from 4.73 to 8.14 kg ha−1 mm−1. The treatment applying 125% more K with RKF (KL7) under WS gave the maximum WUE (8.14 kg ha−1 mm−1) obtaining a seed yield of 1093.60 kg ha−1. The treatment receiving only RKF under WS (KL2) provided the minimum WUE (4.73 kg ha−1 mm−1) attaining a seed yield of 825.17 kg ha−1. Results showed that various characteristics including nutrients (N, P, K, and S) content in stover and seed, total dry matter (TDM) in different growth stages, leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), root volume (RV), root density (RD), plant height, pod plant−1, pod length, seeds pod−1, seed weight, and seed yield in all pickings increased with increasing K levels, particularly noted with KL7. The highest grain yield (32.52%) was also obtained from KL7 compared to lower K with RKF. Overall, yield varied from 1410.37 kg ha−1 using 281 mm water (KL1; well-watered condition with RKF) to 825.17 kg ha−1 using 175 mm water (KL2). The results exhibited that the application of additional K improves the performance of all traits under WS conditions. Therefore, mung beans cultivating under WS requires additional K to diminish the negative effect of drought, and adequate use of K contributes to accomplishing sustainable productivity.

Biological control potential of two Beauveria bassiana isolates against the stink bugs Nezara viridula L. and Piezodorus guildinii Westwood (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in common bean

BackgroundThe stink bugs, Nezara viridula L. and Piezodorus guildinii Westwood (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are the most important and widespread species of polyphagous stink bugs in the tropical and subtropical regions of Latin America, which affect the quality and yield of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The use of synthetic chemical insecticides is the major control strategy to manage stink bugs in common beans and alternatives are needed. In this study, mortality and median Lethal Time (LT50) of two Cuban isolates of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (18 S-O-R and 96 P-O-E), as well as one commercial Cuban isolate (Bb-18), at a concentration of 1 × 108 conidia/ml were evaluated. These evaluations were conducted against both stink bug species using Petri dish bioassays and a semi-field experiment in common beans.ResultsIn Petri dish bioassays, the isolates 18 S-O-R and 96 P-O-E caused 100% mortality of both N. viridula and P. guildinii. This was significantly higher than for isolate Bb-18, which caused 86.3% N. viridula and 81.3% P. guildinii mortality. In the semi-field experiment, when pooling both stink bug species, total mortality after 14 days was 91.3% for 18 S-O-R, 80.0% for 96 P-O-E and 73.8% for Bb-18 isolates. LT50 value for isolate 18 S-O-R tested under laboratory conditions was 6.04 ± 0.18 days for N. viridula and 5.32 ± 0.14 days for P. guildinii at the same concentration of 1 × 108 conidia/ml. LT50 value for isolate 18 S-O-R in semi field was 6.79 ± 0.37 days for N. viridula and 7.71 ± 0.32 days for P. guildinii at 1 × 108 conidia/ml.ConclusionThe study highlights the potential of B. bassiana 18 S-O-R as a promising candidate for control of stink bugs in common bean under tropical conditions as an alternative to conventional chemical insecticides in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Moving forward, further research should focus on validating the efficacy under diverse field conditions and integrating application methods into practical IPM approaches. Future use of B. bassiana will enhance sustainability and reduce environmental impacts associated with pesticide use.

Short-term service crops affect the spatial organization of soil aggregates, microbial C[sbnd]N biomass, and microbial activities in a degraded monoculture system

Service crops are grown to provide ecosystem services, such as the ability to increase soil organic matter and fertility. Also, they reduce erosion processes, weed control, disease regulation, water purification, soil biodiversity, and physical restoration. The physical arrangement of elemental particles in soil aggregates controls many ecosystem functions such as soil stability and carbon sequestration. This study aimed to analyze the short-term effect of including different service crops on the soil aggregate dynamics in a degraded common bean monoculture system and how it influences the rhizospheric microbial activity, carbon, and nitrogen microbial biomass. Here, we measured soil water-stable aggregates, particulate and associated organic carbon, soil microbial biomass, microbial activity, service crop aerial biomass, and cash crop yield in bulk soils during the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 agricultural cycles. Soil samples from depths of 0–10 cm from five management treatments (annual service crop/common bean) were analyzed under no-tillage: 1) Oat (O) = Avena sativa/common bean; 2) Wheat (W) = Triticale/common bean; 3) Vetch (V) = Vicia villosa/common bean; 4) Melilotus (Me) = Melilotus alba/common bean; 5) common bean monoculture (M) = common bean without service crop. Additionally, two controls were analyzed: 6) Brachiaria perennial (BP) = Brachiaria brizantha perennial; 7) Native vegetation (NV). Service crops significantly increased aggregate stability, mean weight diameter, particulate matter and associated organic carbon, promoting the formation of large macroaggregates (0.25–2 mm and > 2 mm). This led to an increase in carbon stocks. Microbial activity expressed as hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate and acid phosphatase activity, increased in the largest fraction for all service crops. Vicia improved surface residues; on average all service crops increased the common bean yield by 107.25 %. In summary, Vicia represents the best alternative as a service crop to improve the quality and health of degraded monoculture soils.

Weed control efficacy and dry bean response to preemergence herbicide incorporation timing

AbstractField experiments were conducted in 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the effect of irrigation timing on S‐ethyl‐N,N‐dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTC), flumioxazin, pyroxasulfone, and flumioxazin + pyroxasulfone weed control efficacy and safety in dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Treatments consisted of EPTC (3430 g ai ha−1), flumioxazin (53.6 g ai ha−1), pyroxasulfone (119 g ai ha−1), and flumioxazin + pyroxasulfone (70.4 + 89.3 g ai ha−1) incorporated with overhead irrigation at 1, 4, and 8 days after herbicide treatment (DAT). A nontreated and hand‐weeded check were included for comparison. Delaying irrigation until 8 DAT resulted in 11% and 19% injury in the pyroxasulfone and flumioxazin + pyroxasulfone treatments, respectively, but the crop recovered within 5 weeks after treatment. Delaying irrigation until 8 DAT increased total weed dry weight by 52%. Generally, flumioxazin + pyroxasulfone provided better weed control compared to flumioxazin or pyroxasulfone applied alone. Irrigation timing did not influence dry bean yield. Seed yield was 160 kg ha−1 in the nontreated check and 2521 kg ha−1 in the hand‐weeded check. Seed yield in the flumioxazin + pyroxasulfone treatment (2425 kg ha−1) was similar to the hand‐weeded check. Flumioxazin + pyroxasulfone provided very good weed control with acceptable crop safety. While irrigation timing may play a role in flumioxazin or pyroxasulfone injury, other soil and environmental factors may influence dry bean response to these herbicides.

Genetic dissection of green pod yield in dolichos bean, an orphan vegetable legume, using new molecular markers.

In the era of genomic-assisted breeding for crop improvement, developing new molecular markers and validating them for use in breeding programs are the prelude. Dolichos bean is one of the most important vegetable legume crops owing to its nutrient-rich green pods used as vegetables. Limitations in genomic resources, including molecular markers, restrict the accelerated improvement of the crop. In the present investigation, a set of 430 new simple sequence repeat markers was developed from sequence information of a reference variety. These markers included di- and tri-nucleotide repeats. The markers were assayed on an association panel, which was evaluated for green pod yield over 5years. A multi-locus model, FarmCPU, was used to assess the marker-trait association analysis. A total of 106 marker-trait associations were identified using an efficient mixed-model approach. Tri-nucleotide repeats were more informative and predominantly associated with trait. Among these markers, 17 were associated with a high level of significance. Markers LP-D-68 and LP-D-14 were identified with a high level of significance in 5-year pooled data and explained 12.70% and 12% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. These markers associated with a high level of confidence have significant scope for use in marker-assisted selection programmes. Other associated markers may be utilized for improving parents through marker-assisted recurrent selection or genomic selection programs.

Ozone pollution contributes to the yield gap for beans in Uganda, East Africa, and is co-located with other agricultural stresses

Air quality negatively impacts agriculture, reducing the yield of staple food crops. While measured data on African ground-level ozone levels are scarce, experimental studies demonstrate the damaging impact of ozone on crops. Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), an ozone-sensitive crop, are widely grown in Uganda. Using modelled ozone flux, agricultural surveys, and a flux-effect relationship, this study estimates yield and production losses due to ozone for Ugandan beans in 2015. Analysis at this scale allows the use of localised data, and results can be presented at a sub-regional level. Soil nutrient stress, drought, flood risk, temperature and deprivation were also mapped to investigate where stresses may coincide. Average bean yield losses due to ozone were 17% and 14% (first and second growing season respectively), equating to 184 thousand tonnes production loss. However, for some sub-regions, losses were up to 27.5% and other crop stresses also coincided in these areas. This methodology could be applied widely, allowing estimates of ozone impact for countries lacking air quality and/or experimental data. As crop productivity is below its potential in many areas of the world, changing agricultural practices to mitigate against losses due to ozone could help to reduce the crop yield gap.