Determining Optimal Dose of Chemical Fertilizer on Biofortified Bean in Sud-Kivu Highlands

Rational application of chemical fertilizer increases crop yield of biofortified bean. This study aimed at determining the optimal dose of chemical fertilizer to apply on two biofortified bean varieties used in the community in order to maximize their yield. Following a split-plot design, a field experiment was carried out on CODMLB001 and HM21-7 varieties, in Kashusha (Kabare territory) in Sud-Kivu Highlands, after a strategic application of increasing doses of chemical fertilizer NPK 17-17-17 (D₀: Control; D₁: 50 kg ha^-1; D₂: 75 kg ha^-1; D₃: 100 kg ha^-1; D₄: 125 kg ha^-1 and D₅: 150 kg ha^-1). The said doses were applied on the sowing day in a parallel gutter at 5cm from the sowing line. The germination rate, the number of days at both the flowering stage and the stage of physiological maturity, as well as the number of harvested crops and beans per plant, number of beans per pod, weight per 1000 grains and yield were observed. Positive and negative interaction between different increasing doses of chemical fertilizers regarding the two varieties were observed. This strategic application allows increased performance according to considered varieties and doses. For instance, the HM21-7 variety gave the best performance with the D₅ dose, while the CODMLB001 variety did better under D₂.