Growth, Yield and Nodulation Response of Green Beans (phaseolus vulgaris l.) to Different Indigenous Microorganism Fertilizer Concentrations in Bambili, Cameroon

Abstract

Abstract Green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a leguminous plant consumed worldwide with the capacity of fixing atmospheric nitrogen by forming a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen fixing bacteria (Rhizobia) in their root nodules. This study was carried out to determine the optimal concentration of indigenous microorganism (IMO) fertilizer for maximum productivity and its effect on formation of root nodules in Bambili village. An experimental farm was set up, laid out in a complete randomized design using four treatments (0g being the control, 5g, 10g and 15g of IMO) with four replications. Fertilizers were applied 5 days before planting and repeated every 2 weeks up to 8 weeks after planting (WAP). Growth parameters were measured every 2 weeks. The data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Duncan’s multiple range test was used to determine specific differences between group pairs. Plants grown with IMO did better in terms of growth and yield as compared to the control. Plants with 15 g of IMO produced the best results which were significantly different at P ≤ 0.05 for number of leaves (47.31 ± 4.347), number of branches (14.25 ± 2.145), plant height (90.719 ± 0148.154), number of pods (29,81±12.608) weight of pods (0.903±0.303) and number of root nodules (79.18±15.633). These results suggest that 15 g of IMO per plant is suitable for green bean cultivation. Farmers should prioritize the use of IMO to grow crops as it can substitute for chemical fertilizers which are not environmentally friendly. More research should be carried out using higher doses of IMO to know the optimal concentration of IMO that can be used for the cultivation of green beans and other crops. Keywords: Green beans, IMO, fertilizer, Yield, Nodulation