Performance of improved bean varieties in Kasulu and Kibondo districts of Kigoma Region, Tanzania

A project aimed at improving bean production in Kigoma Region was carried out from 2008/09 to 2010/11 in Kasulu and Kibondo districts. Soils at trial sites varied from sandy clay loams to clay, mostly acidic with pH water varying from 4.5 to 6.3 (mean 5.5 ± 0.5) with low to medium (1.86% [+ or -] 0.57%) organic carbon (OC), low (0.15 ± 0.05) total nitrogen (N), and low to medium (5.27 ± 5.4 mg/kg) available phosphorus (P). Five improved cultivars, Jesca, Lyamungo 90, Selian 97, Uyole Njano and Uyole 98 were evaluated for yield in farmers' fields, and assessed for farmer acceptability through a questionnaire. The varieties were compared to Kigoma Yellow, a local variety known also as Mburamutwe. The experimental design was Randomized Complete Block with farmers as replicates. Plot size was 10 m by 10 m and spacing was 50 cm by 20 cm. Yield data were analyzed using MS X-Cel and GenStat Discovery edition. Farmers' assessment data were analyzed by SPSS (V 11.5). There were positive significant (p Key words: Bean varieties, yields, farmers' assessment
INTRODUCTION Beans are a warm season crop that does not require an excessive amount of moisture. Depending on the soil and climatic factors, the requirement is met with 300-600 mm [...]