Effect of varying phosphorus concentrations on the root growth of phaseolus vulgaris(l) varieties.

Abstract

Beans are one of the most important crops grown in the tropics and are estimated to meet more than 50% of the dietary protein requirements of households, however, their yields are low due to rainfall, diseases, low soil fertility, soil mineral deficiency particularly phosphorus. Phosphorus fertilizers are expensive and many local farmers cannot afford to apply it. This experiment was conducted at the Makerere herbarium located at latitude 0.3376° and longitude 32.5772 to investigate the effect of varying phosphorus concentration on the root growth of various common bean varieties (white kidney bean, light speckled long shape bean and purple speckled long shape bean variety.) Four replicates were used for each variety and four different phosphorus concentrations were used (0,10,50, and 100 µM) and the experiment was carried out in potted plants in the screen house. The effect of phosphorus showed decreased root length with increase in phosphorus concentration in addition to a slight increase in root biomass with increase in phosphorus concentration.