Author(s):
Common beans are one of the most important economic crops grown in Ethiopia. However, its yield is still very low. Improper use of NPS fertilizer level and the use of low-yielding local varieties are among the low production barriers for common beans. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at Rifent kebele in Haro Limu District, East Wellega Zone of Oromia National Regional State during the 2020 rainy season to evaluate influence of variable rates of NPS fertilizer on performance of common bean varieties. The trial consisted of 15 treatments as a factorial combination of three haricot bean varieties (Dandessu, SER-119 and SER-125) and five levels of combined NPS fertilizers (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1) arranged with RCBD using three replication. The research result indicate that up to 50% of flowering days, up to 90% days of ripening, plant length, base branch number, total nodules, number of active nodules, seed per pod, and seed yield of bean varieties were strongly influenced by varieties, NPS fertilizer levels and their interactions. The highest values for days to 50% flowering, plant height, total nodules on each plant, total pods per plant was recorded from interaction of variety SER-119 and 200 kg ha-1NPS application while the lowest values noted from combination of variety Dandessu with nil application of NPS fertilizer rates. Similarly, the maximum primary branch per plant (2.86), seeds per pod (7.40) and seed yield (2712 kg ha-1) was achieved from interaction of variety SER-119 with 150 kg ha-1 whereas the lowest values for primary branch per plant (1.63), seeds per pod (74.83) and seed yield (1183.63 kg ha-1 were recorded from combination of Dandessu variety and zero NPS application rates. Therefore, based on the yield performance, variety SER-119 with the combination of 150 kg ha-1 of NPS fertilizer application rates could be advised for the farmers in Rifent kebele and other areas having similar agro ecology with the study area. But the research is conducted at the same time of planting in the same area; hence the repetition of the study at different times of the year should be needed for conclusive recommendation.
