NJOKA E.M., MURAYA M.M., OKUMU M.
Abstract
A plant density experiment for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was carried out at Egerton University, Njoro, over 2 years. Two bean cultivars, GLP2 and GLP24, were established at various spacing treatments. The objectives of the study were (i) to investigate the combined effects of common bean cultivars and plant spacing on grain yield and yield components and (ii) to determine the most suitable plant spacing and/or population density for bean production. A randomised complete block design with three replication was used. There was significant difference (p< 0.05) on grain yield among various densities. Seed weight, number of pods/plant and number of seeds/pod decreased with increase in plant density while plant mortality rate increased with increase in plant population. GLP24 was higher yielding (p< 0.05) in all plant spacing and/or plant population densities than GLP2. There was a high negative correlation (p< 0.01) between plant mortality and yield components. There was high positive correlation (p< 0.01) between grain yield and yield components. The study indicated that plant spacing influences grain yield and yield components.
Key words:
Phaseolus vulgaris; plant spacing; plant population density; grain yield; yields components