Response of micro-dense bean varieties to
fertility and water harvesting technologies in
the semi-arid areas of eastern Kenya
S.N. Nguluu, D.R. Karanja, D. Macharia, J. Karanja, J. Kavoi, , Mwangi Gatheru
First Bio-Innovate Regional Scientific Conference
United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC-ECA)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 25-27 February 2013

Justification
• Moisture stress is major constraint within and
among seasons
• Integrated soil fertility research not done on
micro-dense genotypes (Knowledge gap)
• Bean yields on farm 90-150 kg/ha in SR 2011
and LR 2012.
• Hence trial conducted in short rains 2011 and
long rains 2012

Objective of the experiment
To determine the effect of water harvesting
techniques and organic amendments on grain
yield and Fe and Zn concentration of three
market preferred bean genotypes; namely:
Katumani bean 1, NUA 1 and NUA 4.

Reason for the experiment
• Harvest the water to increase yields and
provide solution for food insecurity and low
incomes
• Reduce soil degradation by increasing
nutrient depletion

Treatments
 Open furrows
 tied ridges
 flat ground
 cattle manure
at 0 and 5 tons/ha

Results-overall effect of water
harvesting and manure on
grain yields
T=tied rigdes,TM=tied with manure=open furrow,
OM=open with manure, F=flat, FM=flat with manure

Results cont.
• Water harvesting and manure In SR rains
increased grain yields by 34-47 %
• Water harvesting and manure in the LR
2012 increased bean grain yields by 39-
68%

Results cont.
Effect of water harvesting and manure on
bean genotypes in short rains 2011.

• Water harvesting and manure increased
KAT B 1, NUA 1, and NUA 4 in SR 2011
grain yields by 41%, 61%, and 34%
respectively.

Effect of water harvesting and manure on bean
genotypes in the long rains season 2012

Results cont.
• In LR 2012, bean grain yields for KAT B
1, NUA 1, and NUA 4 increased by 26%,
64% and 44% respectively.

Effect of water harvesting and manure on
three bean genotypes in short and long
rains 2011 and 2012.

Leaf Zn

Fe leaf analysis

Acknowledgements
• Bioinnovate-Sida for financing the project
• Director KARI for supporting us to carry
out the work
• NCPD-CLUSA NGO for farmer
mobilization when disseminating the
technologies
• Provincial Administration for farmers
mobilisation to visit trials
• Technical assistants KARI-Katumani

Way forward
• Recommendations
• Grain Fe and Zn analysis

END
THANKS FOR
LISTENING