Agronomic performance of common bean accessions in a typic ustifluvent low fertility soil in Honduras

Abstract

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important staple crop in the diet of the Central American population, produced mainly in low-fertility soils with limited use of synthetic fertilizers and organic amendments. Traditional varieties are relatively well adapted to these conditions, but most lack resistance to diseases and pests, so there is still a wide gap to be filled in order to increase yields of this crop using more tolerant varieties and sustainable practices to improve its productivity. The objective of the study was to evaluate the agronomic adaptation of bean accessions in low-fertility soil to identify accessions with high productive efficiency and tolerance to limiting factors. The evaluations were conducted from 2014 to 2016, using treatments with and without fertilization in a split-plot arrangement with four replicates. The average yields in the BASE 2014, BASE 2015, and ERBAF 2016 trials under fertilization treatment were 1,456, 1,467, and 2,378 kg ha-1, respectively, and without fertilization, 902, 827, and 1,063 kg ha-1, respectively. Common bean accessions tolerant to low fertility with good agronomic adaptation, seed yield, and resistance to limiting biotic and abiotic factors were identified, including, among others, SIN 526, BFS 101, SER 125, SEQ 342-89, BFS 87, SEF 16, and SJC 730-79. The experimental procedures of the study facilitated the identification of superior accessions that are recommended for validation with producers and organizations to facilitate access and greater dissemination in producing areas. The results of this study are considered to be currently relevant because the COVID-19 epidemic and the reduction of funds from donor organizations limited access to and use of promising accessions in the Central American region.