Effectiveness of a foliar biofertilizer on the cultivation of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), Bluefields, RAAS

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of different doses of a foliar biofertilizer on crop production of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) throughout season time in the community of El Cañal, Kukra River, Bluefields, during the production cycle 2008-2009. A random design was used, four treatments with two replications, each replication consisted of 63 bean plants (n=126). The treatments were: T1 (baton), T2: 0.25 liters of biofertilizer, T3: 0.37 lt. and T4: 0.5 lt.  In all the treatments, including the baton, weeding was done, and in all except the baton, biofertilizer was applied dissolved in 10 liters of water. Three measurements were made (21, 36 and 51 days) after planting.

The results indicate no significant differences between treatments in the height of the plants, but it does in the percentage of affectation by herbivores, as well as in the number of pods per plant and grains per pod. The T4 treatment had the lowest attack by herbivores, the highest production by the number of pods per plant, grains per pod and weight of grains of beans; while the baton registered the lowest production on all these variables. The use of the foliar biofertilizer increased the production of bean crop in all dosages.

Keywords: organic fertilizer; production; humid tropics; Nicaragua.

CIENCIA E INTERCULTURALIDAD Volumen 8, año 4 No. 1 Erero - Julio 2011 pp.128-140