Botswana Journal of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
https://hdl.handle.net/13049/1
2024-03-28T09:05:57ZEffects of plant density on growth parameters and yield of sugar bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Swaziland
https://hdl.handle.net/13049/660
Effects of plant density on growth parameters and yield of sugar bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Swaziland
Zwane, S. T.; Ossom, E. M.
Field bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) consumed in Swaziland is mostly imported. Small-
scale farmers can grow this crop in the country and obtain good yields if the correct
planting density is identified. A field study was conducted during the growing season of
2004/2005 to determine the influence of different planting densities on growth
parameters and yield of field bean. The experiment consisted of a randomised complete
block design, with four replications. There were five planting densities (400,000;
200,000; 133,333; 100,000 and 66,667 plants/ha studied for 11 weeks. Results showed
that Absolute Growth Rate (AGR) was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the lower
populations. The lowest population had AGR of 7.0 g/week whereas the highest plant
population had AGR of 2.4 g/wk between 7 and 10 weeks after planting (WAP). At 7
WAP, the highest plant population had a significantly (P <0.01) higher leaf area index,
LAI, of 4.6 while the lowest plant population had LAI of 0.7. At 400,000 density of
plants/ha, though the seed yield (695.8 kg/ha) was low, however, it was 56% higher than
the yield (445.5 kg/ha) of the recommended plant population. Planting density of 400,000
plants/ha is suggested.
2005-01-01T00:00:00ZPost-flowering photoperiodic and temperature effects on phonological development and yield in field-grown bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) landraces in a sub-tropical environment.
https://hdl.handle.net/13049/659
Post-flowering photoperiodic and temperature effects on phonological development and yield in field-grown bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) landraces in a sub-tropical environment.
Sesay, A.
The post-flowering phonological development of two local bambara groundnut (K/gna
subterranea) landraces was studied at Luyengo, Swaziland using six sowing dates
between mid-October 1999 and late January, 2000. The objective was to examine the
influence of variation in post-flowering photoperiod and temperature on the phonological
development and pod yield of the crop. While the rate of progress from sowing to
podding was influenced by both temperature and photoperiod, the rate of progress from
flowering to podding (1/ (p-f), with (p-f) being the number of days from 50% flowering
to 50% podding) was influenced only by photoperiod between flowering and podding (r
= 0.86, p < 0.01). Pod yield was strongly and positively related to the duration of the pod
filling period (r2 = 0.96, p < 0.01), while the duration of the pod-filling period was
strongly related to thermal time accumulated during the reproductive period. Photopcriod
during the reproductive period influenced pod yield indirectly, through its influence on
the onset of podding. The study confirms the photosensitivity of the onset of podding in
bambara groundnut, and it was concluded that in bambara groundnut, unlike in other
leguminous crops, the duration of the reproductive or pod-filling period, and therefore
yield, are largely influenced by environmental factors prevailing at and subsequent to the
onset of flowering.
2005-01-01T00:00:00ZImproved crop-management techniques for better groundnut (Arachis liypogaea L.) production in Western Kenya
https://hdl.handle.net/13049/658
Improved crop-management techniques for better groundnut (Arachis liypogaea L.) production in Western Kenya
Okiror, M.A.; Okalelio, J.R.; Ipomai, S.O
Poor agronomic and husbandry practices are largely responsible for the low yields of
groundnuts in Western Kenya. This study was undertaken to develop agronomic practices
for increasing groundnut yields by small-hold farmers of Busia, Teso and Siaya districts
of Western Kenya. Four experiments-to test sowing time and weed control, to develop a
suitable seedbed for groundnut production, to screen available germplasm for high
yielding lines, and to test various fertilizer types for use in groundnut production, were
set up. These experiments were laid in farmers’ fields. It was observed that an early and
finely prepared seedbed increased pod yields significantly (p «; 0.05) above the traditional
practice. Such a fine seedbed slowed weed emergence and buildup thereby increasing the
weed-free duration for the crop. There were no significant benefits of two weeding
operations over the traditional single weeding largely as a result of the seedbed used.
Consequently, by investing on a good seedbed, a farmer could save on weeding expenses.
Sowing groundnut in the first week of the rains led to a significantly (p s 0.05) higher
yield over subsequent dates. Groundnuts responded to fertilizer types differently.
(Diammonium phosphate (DAP) and NPK mixed fertilizer applications increased dry pod
yields by 22-50% ha'1 over the control. The organic fertilizers, compost and Rhizobiuin
inoculant, were not effective in this study. At the rate of 10 t /ha, compost increased pod
yield by only 2% over the control. Inoculant application to groundnuts did not lead to
significant increases in pod yields. Since no root examination was made for nodules it is
not ascertained if the operational factors were extraneous to the isolate or not. Among the
entries tested, ICGVSM 90904 and 93535 from 1CRISAT. Malawi consistently Out
performed the traditional variety, Red Valencia, across locations and over seasons. It is
proposed that the seed of the two lines be multiplied and distributed to a nucleus of
farmers for further evaluation and multiplication. Due to difficulties in acquiring larger
volumes of compost in the farms and the high cost of inorganic fertilizers, a study on
combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers to come up with affordable but
effective rates is also proposed.
2006-01-01T00:00:00ZAssessment of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes for drought tolerance in Botswana
https://hdl.handle.net/13049/657
Assessment of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes for drought tolerance in Botswana
Sesay, A.; Khonga, E. B.; Balole, T. V.; Mashungwa, G.
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production in Botswana is adversely affected by erratic
and unpredictable rainfall resulting in various periods of drought. As part of a programme
aimed at developing drought-tolerant cultivars, two field trials were conducted in the
2004-05 cropping season to evaluate 10 groundnut cultivars and 7 breeding lines from the
University of Georgia, USA, together with two local varieties, for drought tolerance,
using yield under stress and drought-susceptibility indices as selection indices. The trials
were conducted under rain-fed and supplementary irrigation conditions at the Botswana
College of Agriculture Farm, Notwane. There was a significant reduction in pod yield (P
< 0.01), crop growth rate (P < 0.01) and partitioning coefficient (P < 0.01) due to drought
stress. Pod yield across cultivars was reduced by an average of 2.3 t ha1 (79.3 %) and 3.5
t ha'1 (88.0 %), from the irrigated to the rain-fed treatment, for the cultivars and the
breeding lines, respectively. Drought susceptibility indices for pod yield (Sy), crop
growth rate (Sc) and partitioning to reproductive sinks (Sp), used together, identified three
cultivars (GAG, 522 and 232) and two breeding lines (C24-124 and C209-6-49) as
specifically tolerant to moisture stress. The control cultivars, Nakwana and Peolwane,
had the lowest specific leaf area (SLA), 135.9 and 125.8 enrg’1, respectively, indicating
high water-use efficiency (WUE) capacity. This variation in drought-tolerance traits
could be exploited in a groundnut improvement programme.
2006-01-01T00:00:00Z