Assessing the effects of NPK fertilizer and cow dung on yield and yield component of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris )

Abstract

Agriculture is the economic growth engine for most developing countries like Uganda. However, increasing population has created scarcity for land for settlement and farming to support the ever-increasing population. Depletion of soil fertility is the main problem in sustaining agricultural production and productivity in many low-income countries like Uganda. The application of organic or inorganic fertilizers alone has both positive and negative effects on plant growth, nutrient availability and the soil. Organic fertilizers improve physical and biological activities of soil but they are comparatively low in nutrient content and hence large quantities are required for plant growth. An experiment, laid out in a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with three replicates and seven treatments was carried out to assess the effects of NPK fertilizer and manure on the yield and yield components of the common bean. The buckets used had a capacity of 5kg of soil. The treatments were as follows; T1-control (just soil), T2-0.204g of NPK - 25Kg of N/ha, T3-0.408g of NPK - 50 kg of N/ha, T4-0.612g of NPK - 75kg of N/ha, T5- 0.204g of NPK +1.74g of manure, T6 - 0.204g of NPK+3.48g of manure (25kg of N/ha and 50kg of N/ha) and T7 - 0.816gof NPK 100kg of N/ha). NPK 17:17:17 was used to compare the organic and inorganic fertilizers at the same nitrogen level. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 95% confidence level. Results showed no significant difference in the growth parameters (P>0.05) with exceptions occurring in weeks 7 of leaves and height.