Working Document Series Open Access 2010 RUF-34570

Strategy for improving bush bean production on a phosphorus fixing Andosol with aquic moisture regime

A. Cyamweshi RusanganwaJ.S. Tenywa

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Abstract

142 words

In Uganda, bean is a food security and income sourcing crop, particularly for the rural poor. The highlands of southwestern Uganda are major producers and consumers of the crop. The arable soils in the highlands bordering Rwanda and DR Congo are mostly volcanic ash based, typically known to fix phosphorus but the extent to which this occurs (sorption-desorption phenomena) remains unknown. Moreover, the soils are increasingly affected by waterlogging to levels that impair bean growth and yield. Therefore, the study objectives were to identify farmer coping mechanisms for bush bean production under waterlogging conditions, and determine the optimum application rates of phosphorus for bush bean production on an acid Andosol. Preliminary results indicate that due to water logging effects of P on bean growth was not apparent. Because of water logging, growing bush beans is being abandoned in favour of climbing beans.

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