Search

Bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production is undermined by soil degradation and low biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) capacity. This study evaluated the effect of black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF) on bush bean growth, yield, nutrient uptake, BNF, and profitability, in comparison with commercial organic fertilizer (Phymyx, Phytomedia International Ltd., Kiambu, Kenya), synthetic fertilizer (NPK), and rhizobia inoculant (Biofix, MEA Fertilizers, Nairobi, Kenya). The organic fertilizers were applied at rates of 0, 15, 30, and 45 kg N ha-1 while the NPK was applied at 40 kg N ha-1, 46 kg P ha-1, and 60 kg K ha-1. The fertilizers were applied singly and in combination with rhizobia inoculant to determine the interactive effects on bush bean production. Results showed that beans grown using BSFFF were the tallest, with the broadest leaves, and the highest chlorophyll content. Plots treated with 45 kg N ha-1 BSFFF produced beans with more flowers (7 - 8%), pods (4 - 9%), and seeds (9 - 11%) compared to Phymyx and NPK treatments. The same treatment also produced beans with 6, 8, and 18% higher 100-seed weight, compared to NPK, Phymyx, and control treatments, respectively. Beans grown in soil amended with 30 kg N ha-1 of BSFFF had 3-14-fold higher effective root nodules, fixed 48%, 31%, and 91% more N compared to Phymyx, NPK, and rhizobia, respectively, and boosted N uptake (19 - 39%) compared to Phymyx and NPK treatments. Application of 45 kg N ha-1 of BSFFF increased bean seed yield by 43%, 72%, and 67% compared to the control, NPK and equivalent rate of Phymyx, respectively. The net income and gross margin achieved using BSFFF treatments were 73 - 239% and 118 - 184% higher than the values obtained under Phymyx treatments. Our findings demonstrate the high efficacy of BSFFF as a novel soil input and sustainable alternative for boosting BNF and improving bush bean productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common bean research program of Ethiopia aimed at development of demanded variety for enhanced adoption, improve food and nutrition security as well as to boost income of smallholder farmers thereby enhancing foreign earnings of the country. To achieve these aim, the breeding program use different strategies. These incudes, importing demanded variety and fast-track testing release, introducing bean germplasm and release stable variety and participatory variety selection for incorporating growers traits on variety selection. Accordingly, bean improvement program selected six major bean products that includes, small/large white beans, speckled bean, small/large reds and mottled beans. During variety selection stakeholders’ choice and trait of preference has been incorporated during interactive consultative forums of the value chain actor at bean innovation multi-stakeholder platform. Apart from bean variety development, integrated crop management technologies has been developed to implement good agricultural practice. To facilitate common variety adoption, bean seed system have been enhanced through integration of early generation seed production with formal and informal seed production of public and private seed producers. These efforts has enhanced transformed productivity from 0.7 to 1.5 t/ha and area expanded from 150,000 ha to 520,121 ha and total production up to 568,243 t. Due to this fact bean export has been increased up to 100–150 million USD per annum. Generally, the demand led breeding and value chain approach, synergetic and innovative technology generation and promotion has transformed bean productivity, area produced and market; consecutively livelihood of growers and income of the country has been enhanced.