International Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science

Vol. 7(3), pp. 909-921, October, 2020. © www.premierpublishers.org, ISSN: 2167-0449

Research Article
Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars
to Nitrogen Fertilizer Application at Nedjo, Western Ethiopia
Askalu Dessalegn
College of Agriculture, School of Graduate Studies, Haramaya University, Ethiopia
Email: askaledessalegn@gmail.com

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) is one of the most important pulse crops grown in Ethiopia.
However, low soil fertility and poor soil fertility management constrains the productivity of the
crop. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the response of the crop to
nitrogen (N) fertilizer at the research field of Nedjo ATVET College during the main cropping
season of 2011. The treatments comprised four levels of nitrogen (0, 23, 46 and 69 kg N ha -1) and
three bean cultivars (Dimtu, Beshbesh and Local Washkate). The experiment was laid out as a
randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement. The result of the study revealed
that the main effects of N had significant (P < 0.05) influence on days to flowering, days to
maturity, plant height, and hundred seed weight. Nitrogen and cultivar interaction significantly
influenced most of the agronomic traits. Increasing the rates of nitrogen from 0 to 69 kg N ha -1
delayed days to flowering and days to maturity. The highest grain yield (4.58 t ha-1) was recorded
for the Beshbesh cultivar at the rate of 69 kg N ha-1 with the yield advantage of 75% over the local
cultivar. Grain yield (r = 0.50) was positively and highly significantly correlated with hundred seed
weight. Thus, it could be concluded that applying 69 kg N ha-1 and cultivating the Beshbesh and
Dimtu cultivar resulted in the highest grain yield of the crop. If Beshbesh is not available Dimtu
should be used.

Keyword: nodule, grain yield, Phaseolus vulgaris L, fertilizer acidic soil Nedjo

INTRODUCTION

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the most
important food legumes in Latin America and Africa
(Francis, 2006; Hernandez et al., 2007). It is high in
protein, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B1, fiber, and is free of
cholesterol. Common bean is an attractive crop for farmers
because of its adaptability to different cropping systems
and short growing cycle. In some parts of the country it is
used as a cash crop for farm families to buy farm inputs,
household necessities, and pay school expenses for
children.Common bean is probably native to the tropical
parts of South America (Onwueme and Sinha, 1991), from
where it was perhaps introduced to Africa and other
continents (Baudoin et al., 2001). After its dissemination, it
is grown extensively in five major continental areas: Africa,
North and Central America, South America, Eastern Asia
and Western and South Eastern Europe (Adams et al.,
1985). Moreover, common bean is a non-centric crop, with
multiple domestication sites throughout the distribution
range. Even though the exact time of its introduction to
Ethiopia is controversial, it is generally believed that
common bean was probably brought to Ethiopia in the 16th
century (Gepts, 1990).
Currently, common bean is among the most important food
legumes grown in the tropics and subtropics (Dursum,
2007). The area covered with the crop in production has
been increasing due to its role in low input agricultural
systems since it contains a high percentage of protein as
compared to maize, rice and cassava (Mwale et al., 2008)
and is a nutritious food crop for the poor and an important
export commodity crop (Frei et al., 2005).Common bean is
also one of the most important pulse crops grown in
central, southern, eastern and western lowland and mid
altitudes of Ethiopia. In addition to its use as a readily
available source of protein for farmers, it is also an
important cash crop and export commodity that generates

Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars to Nitrogen Fertilizer Application at Nedjo, Western Ethiopia

foreign exchange earnings for the country. It is
predominantly grown for cash in the central rift valley, but
in other parts it is a major staple food supplementing the
protein source for the poor farmers, who cannot afford
meat (CACC, 2002). The estimated national production of
common bean in Ethiopia is estimated at 244, 012.88
hectares; with a total production of 362890.3 tonnes and
average productivity of 1.4 tonnes per hectare (CSA,
2010).
It is among the most important food legumes produced in
the country, which has been cultivated as a field crop for a
very long time (Amare, 1989). Moreover, it has been an
export crop for more than 40 years (Teshome and Kirkby,
1990). Common bean stands first among the pulses and is
also known as “the poor man’s meat” due to its high protein
content, which compensates for the deficiency that could
have occurred in a population with low income. Different
types of common beans are grown in Ethiopia. These
include white beans, grown in the central Ethiopia (Shoa)
as a cash crop, coloured beans grown in the southern part
of Ethiopia for local consumption and climbing beans
grown in the North West (Metekel) and Western Ethiopia
(Wollega). Climbers are planted along fences and on the
borders of maize fields (Zelalem, 2002).However, common
bean suffers from several biotic and abiotic production
constraints. The major abiotic constraints include nitrogen
and phosphorus deficiency, low pH complex and drought.
Bean productivity is limited by soil fertility especially
phosphorus and nitrogen (Kumar and Puri, 2002; Graham
et al., 2003).
Although common bean has the capacity to fix
atmospheric nitrogen, low soil fertility has been repeatedly
reported as one of the major factors affecting its production
in Ethiopia. Lack of response to inoculation with rhizobium
bacteria has been attributed to ineffective common-bean
rhizobia in soil that leads to inefficient nitrogen fixation
consequently causing yield reductions (Ramos and
Boddey, 1987; Hardarson and Danso, 1993; Graham and
Vance, 2000). Peoples and Herridge (2000) reported that
nodulated roots of common bean can fix only between 30
to 50% of the total nitrogen requirements of the crop.
Unlike other pulses, common bean is inefficient in
symbiotic nitrogen fixation (Ali and Lal, 1992) as it has
limited number of nodulation due to the absence of NOD
gene regulator (Kushwaha, 1994) even with native
Rhizobia and commercially produced cultivars. Hence, the
nitrogen requirement of common bean is different from
other pulse crops and application of nitrogen through
fertilizers is imperative for exploiting its yield potential.
Bliss (1993b) observed that common bean can fix a
maximum of 50 kg ha-1 and 40-50% of its N requirements
from fixation in adapted cultivars. However, other grain
legumes, such as peanuts, cowpeas, soybeans and faba
beans are good nitrogen fixers and will fix all of their
nitrogen needs other than that absorbed from the soil.
Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars to Nitrogen Fertilizer Application at Nedjo, Western Ethiopia
Int. J. Plant. Breed Crop Sci. 910
These legumes may fix up to 280 kg/ha of nitrogenand are
not usually fertilized. In fact, pulses usually do not respond
to nitrogen fertilizer as long as they are capable of fixing
nitrogen. However, for common bean, nitrogen fertilizer
application is usually required because it can fix only a part
of the nitrogen it needs (Bills, 1993b). There is usually a
positive yield response when N is applied to common bean
plants grown on N-poor soil (Allen et al., 1996)
Generally, the most critical factors for the low yield of
common bean in most areas of Ethiopia including the
western part of the country are poor soil fertility (Kidane,
1987; Asnakew, 1991). About three decades ago, several
experiments were conducted (Tadele and Geremew,
1977) to determine the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus
application on bean production. A tentative
recommendation of the results (Alelign, 1990 and Kidane,
1987) indicated 40 to 70 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 20 to 30 kg N
ha-1 to be optimum for production of the crop. However, the
soils at the trial sites were not pre-analyzed for availability
of nutrients and the results might have underestimated or
overestimated the N and P requirements of the crop due
to high residual effects of N as well as high loss of the
nutrient from the soil due to leaching, volatilization,
denitrification etc.
Previously, fertile soils were avoided for common bean
cultivation in Ethiopia to minimize lodging and weed
infestation (Tilahun and Teshome, 1987). However, a
survey by Alelign, (1990) indicated that fertilizer use on
common bean was increasing. However, most farmers
producing common bean do not apply fertilizers to the crop
since they may believe that the plant does not require
nitrogen due to fixation or because of the escalating prices
of fertilizer. Therefore, the crop is seldom fertilized and
specific rhizobium strain inoculation is not practiced in the
western part of the country. On top of this, no N fertilizer
recommendation is available for the crop and now farmers
produce the crop with least or no fertilizer application in the
area for all cultivars, be it local or improved ones. As a
result, the crop often suffers from obvious or hidden
deficiency of N, and yields are often constrained.
Even though common bean production in Nedjo area has
been practiced for a long period of time, low yield of the
crop per unit area of land has become a bottleneck to
attaining household food security in the area. Application
of little fertilizer and lack of knowledge on the rate of
nitrogen application are the major causes for low yield. In
addition, Nedjo area receives high precipitation which may
lead to high nitrate leaching and deficiency of available
nitrogen in the soil. This, coupled with poor fixation of
nitrogen by the crop plant, may lead to the deficiency of
the nutrient limiting productivity and dwarfing the yield of
the crop in the area. Thus, this study was conducted the
objective to determine the effect of nitrogen application on
the yield and yield components of common bean.
Dessalegn A. 911
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Description of the Study Site
A field experiment was carried out at Nedjo District, on a
site owned by Nedjo ATVET College, West Wollega zone
of the Oromia National Regional State, Western Ethiopia
during the dry season of 2011 with supplemental irrigation
from October to December. The site is located at an
altitude of about 1735 metres above sea level in a sub-
humid agro ecological zone. It is a mid-altitude area with
an annual rainfall of 1200-1600 mm having a unimodal
pattern increasing from April to October with the peak rainy
season in July and August. The soil of the area is
characteristically reddish brown dominated by oxisols,
which is acidic. The high concentration of oxides and
hydroxides of iron and aluminum also gives these soils a
capacity to bind too tightly with the little available
phosphorous present (Gauchan et al., 1998).
Treatment and Experimental Design
The treatments consisted of four rates of nitrogen (0, 23,
46, and 69 kg N ha-1) and three bean cultivars (Dimtu,
Beshbesh, and Local Washkate). The experiment was laid
out as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a
factorial arrangement and replicated three times. The total
area of the experimental plots used for the study amounted
to 520.8 m2. The accommodation of a total 210 plants per
plot. Data were collected from plants in the central rows
leaving aside plants in the border rows as well as the ones
at both ends of each row to avoid edge effects.
Experimental Procedures
Soil sampling and analysis
Representative soil samples were randomly taken using
an auger at the depth of 0-30 cm from the experimental
field just before planting to make one composite sample.
The soil samples were air dried on plastic trays, ground
and sieved to pass through a 2 mm sieve.Soil pH was
determined from the filtered suspension of 1:2.5 soils to
water ratio using a glass electrode attached to a digital pH
meter (Page, 1982). Texture of the soil was determined by
sedimentation method. Organic matter in the soil was
determined by the Walkley-Black method. Total N in the
soil was determined by the Kjeldahl method (Bremner and
mulvanes, 1982), CEC was determined by ammonium
acetate method (Chapman, 1965), exchangeable Ca2+
and Mg2+was determined by Atomic Absorption
Spectroscopy (AAS), k + by flame photometry and pH was
measured potentiometrically in the supernatant
suspension of 1:2.5 soil water suspensions using a pH
meter (Van Reeuwijk, 1992).
Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars to Nitrogen Fertilizer Application at Nedjo, Western Ethiopia
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Days to 50% emergence
No significant differences were observed on days to 50%
emergence due to the main effects of cultivar as well as
nitrogen application. Similarly, the two factors did not
interact to influence this parameter (Appendix Table 3).
Absence of significant effect on days to emergence due to
nitrogen and cultivar may be attributed to the fact the days
to emergence is affected neither be external fertilizer
application nor cultivar. Emergence is a characteristic of
the food reserve in the seed and influences most by soil
temperature, soil moisture, and other conditions such as
external supply of nutrients and other factors. This
suggestion is consistent with that of Jan et al (2002) that
embryo grows at the expense of stored food materials and
did not require any external nutrition.
Days to 50% flowering
Significant statistical differences (P < 0.05) were observed
on days to flowering due to the main effects of nitrogen.
However, neither the main effect of cultivar nor the
interaction of nitrogen and cultivar had significant effect on
days to flowering (Appendix Table 3).Absence of
significant effect on days to flower due to interaction of
nitrogen and cultivar and the main genotypes may be
attributed to the fact days to flowering is affected neither
be external fertilizer application nor cultivar
Increasing the rate of nitrogen from nil to 23, and 46 kg N
ha-1, did not affect days to flowering. However, when the
rate of nitrogen was increased further to 69 kg N ha-1, the
number of days to flowering was delayed by about 9.0%.
However, the days to flowering required by plants in the
treatment with 46 kg N ha-1 and those grown in the
treatment with 69 kg N ha-1 were in statistical parity (Table
1).When the rate of nitrogen was increased further to 69
kg N ha-1 days to flowering also increased two times. One
of the positive roles of nitrogen is promoting vegetative
growths of the crop. This is in line with the finding of
Veeresh (2003) who reported that common bean crop
supplied with higher dose of N delayed to flower. Similarly,
the result is supported by the findings of Singh and Singh,
(2000) who revealed that the number of days required to
reach 50 percent flowering were 66, 67, 68 and 69 DAS
with nitrogen fertilization of zero, 40, 80 and 120 kg Nha-1,
respectively. However, the absence of significant
difference due to the main effect of cultivars due to the
inheritance characteristics of varieties or genetic makeup
of the crop. No significant difference was observed
(P<0.05) at the application rate of 0 N kg ha-1and 23N
kgha-1in terms of days to flowering. This finding is also
supported by results from previous studies that revealed
stimulatory effect of low levels of nitrogen formation and
development has also been reported for field grown
chickpea. (Singh and singh, 2000)

Table 1. The main effect of nitrogen and cultivar on days
to emergence and flowering of grown common bean at
Nedjo during the 2011 cropping season
Treatments Days to emergence Days to flowering
N rates kg/ha
0 9.0 30.33b
23 8.7 31.33b
46 9.4 32.89ab
69 9.1 33.00a
LSD 0.05 NS 0.55
Cultivars
Beshbesh 8.83 30.50
Lcalwashkate 9.16 30.75
Dimtu 9.25 30.66
LSD 0.05 NS NS
CV% 8.516 8.155
Days to physiological maturity
Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in days to
maturity of the genotypes in response to the application of
nitrogen. Due to the main effects of nitrogen level there
was significant difference (P < 0.05) on days to maturity.
Similarly, significant variation (P < 0.05) was observed on
this parameter due to the interaction between nitrogen and
cultivar. However there was no significant difference due
to the cultivars (Appendix Table 3).Not significant
differences were observed on days to physiological
maturity when the rate of nitrogen increased from 0 kg N
ha-1 to 23 kg N ha-1with different cultivars. However, when
the rate of the nutrient was raised from 46to 69 kg N ha -
1with different cultivar interaction, days to physiological
maturity increased significantly by about 4 and 5 days
respectively. The results indicated that days to maturity
were delayed in response to increased rate of nitrogen with
different cultivar interactions. The highest number of days
of physiological maturity was recorded for Beshbesh in
response to the application of 69kg N ha-1(93.00) followed
by the local washkate in response to the application of
69kg N ha-1(92.67).This observed difference regarding
days to maturity to the inherent character or genetic
makeup of the cultivars or the response of cultivar to N
fertilizer. This revealed that some bean cultivars
responded to applied nitrogen (Duqueat et.al, 1985)
The prolonged days to maturity with increased application
of nitrogen may be attributed to the role that nitrogen plays
in promoting vegetative growth. This is in line with the
report of Escalante et al. (1999) who signified that nitrogen
promoted the number of days to reach physiological
maturity due to increasing N fertilization from 0 to 80 kg N
ha-1. This shows that the nutrients taken up by plant roots
from the soil will be used for increased cell division and
synthesis of carbohydrate. This is in agreement with the
results of Veeresh (2003) who reported that the number of
days to reach physiological maturity increased significantly
due to increased N application from 40 to 80 kg ha-1
Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars to Nitrogen Fertilizer Application at Nedjo, Western Ethiopia
Int. J. Plant. Breed Crop Sci. 912
In general, increasing the rate of nitrogen fertilizer further
than 69 kg N ha-1, prompted the three genotypes to attain
different numbers of days to reach physiological maturity
ranging between 92 and 93days (Table 2).The three
genotypes had different responses to the nitrogen level.
Those cultivars that flowered early were also found to be
early in maturity while those that flowered late were also
late in maturity. In contrast, 0 kg Nha-1with local Washkate,
0 N kgha-1with Beshbesh and Dimtu with23 N kgha-1were
the earliest while the latest were 69kg Nha-1with
Beshbesh, Dimtu with 46 N kg N ha-1 and local Washkate
with 69kg N ha-1. This finding is also supported by results
from previous studies, which revealed that some bean
cultivars responded to applied N (Duqueet.al., 1985).
Table 1. Two way table showing the effects of nitrogen rate
and cultivars on days to maturity of common bean at Nedjo
during the 2011 main cropping season
N rate (kg ha-1) Days to Maturity
Beshbesh Washkate Dimtu
0 90.33e 90.33e 91.00cd
cd
23 91.00 91.33abc 91.00cd
46 91.33 abc 91.00cd 92.00abc
a
69 93.00 92.67ab 90.33e
Mean 91.4 91.3 91.0
LSD (5%) 0.95
CV(%) 0.6
Plant height at 50% flowering
Significant statistical differences (P < 0.05) were found in
plant height due to the main effect of nitrogen. However,
significant variation was not observed on this parameter
due to the main effect of cultivar. Similarly, there was no
significant interaction of nitrogen and cultivar in increasing
plant height (Appendix Table3).When nitrogen was
increased from nil to 23 kg N ha-1, plant height increased
significantly by about 20%. When the rate of nitrogen was
further raised from nil to 46 and 69 kg N ha-1, plant height
increased significantly by about 27 and 40%, in the order
mentioned here. However, plant heights recorded for the
rates of 46 and 69 kg N ha-1 were in statistical parity. The
lack of response of plant height to 23 and 46 kg N ha-1 may
be attributed to the fact that the two levels of the nutrient
were still sub-optimal for the bean plants to increase in
height. That plant height increased significantly in
response to increasing the rate of nitrogen might be
ascribed to the responses of the plant root in taking up
nitrogen from the soil, which may have sufficiently
enhanced vegetative growth through increasing cell
division and elongation. This is in line with the finding of
Rajesh Singh et al. (2006) who reported that the plant
height of French bean increased significantly up to N
fertilization of 180 kg N ha-1 on a sandy clay loam soil. This
finding is also similar with that of Thapa and Maity (2004)
who reported that plant height increased in response to
increasing nitrogen doses.
Dessalegn A. 913

Shoot dry biomass yield Due to the interaction effect of cultivar and nitrogen the
maximum nodule number was observed at the application
Shoot dry biomass yield was significantly influenced by the of 23 kg N ha-1 with Dimtu followed by applications of 46kg
main effect of N (P < 0.05) rates. However, no significant Nha-1 with Beshbesh as compared to the control treatment.
variation was observed on this parameter due to the The interaction of N and cultivar Dimtu, nodule number per
cultivars effect. Similarly, the two factors did not interact to plant increased by about more than 75% compared with
influence this parameter (Appendix Table 1). High shoot the nodule number per plant recorded in the control
dry biomass was relatively obtained from 23 kg Nha-1and treatment (Table 4).This result could be ascribed to the
followed by 46 kg Nha-1(Table 3). This is in line with the phenomenon that the lowest rate of nitrogen might
finding of Forbes and Watson (1992) who reported that, stimulate nodule formation thereby increasing nodule
fertilizer application improved shoot dry biomass in the number. This conforms to observations made by Dadson
long rain corroborating the fact that adequate supply of and Acquaah, (1984) who reported in soil with N
nitrogen is associated with vigorous vegetative growth. deficiency, small starter doses of applied N may stimulate
Similarly, Yan and Wallace (1995) reported that shoot dry nodule formation and enhance the grain yield of legumes.
biomass indicates the relative importance of the vegetative The lowest nodule number per plant was recorded from
biomass for the potential yield capacity and the proportion the interaction of 0 kg N ha-1with Local washkate. On the
of this biomass that is subsequently remobilized to the other hand, when the rate of nitrogen increased to further
reproductive organs. 69 kg Nha-1 decreased total nodule number by about 45%
when compared with that of 23 kg Nha-1with cultivar Dimtu
No significant difference was observed when nitrogen and 46 kg Nha-1withBeshbesh. This result could be
application was raised to 69 kg Nha-1. This conforms to the ascribed to sufficient level of nitrogen present in the soil
observations made by Saxena and Sheldrake (1980) who nodulation is inhibited (Gentili and Huss-danell, 2003). In
found that large amounts of nitrogen such as 100 kg N ha- addition Gentili et al. (2006) reported that high N levels
1 did not benefit yield. The shoot dry biomass yield also
inhibited early cell divisions in the cortex of Alnus incana
tended to increase with increasing N rates (Appendix there by inhibiting nodulation.
Table 3).These results are in agreement with those of
Ravinandan and Prasad (1998), who found that At the highest rate of nitrogen, nodule number was
application of nitrogen fertilization from zero to120 kg N ha- reduced. This is also in agreement with the findings of
1increased significantly the shoot dry biomass production
Chuniet al (1985) who reported that higher rate of nitrogen
in French bean. The response of increase in shoot dry fertilizer application caused significantly high nodule
biomass with increasing levels of N and selection of number degradation on French beans relative to the
cultivar could be attributed to the enhancing effect of N on control. Considering that the soil nitrogen was not limiting
vegetative growth attributes. the application of nitrogen fertilizer probably raised the N
Table 2. Effects of nitrogen rate and cultivars on plant in the soil to levels that caused nodule degeneration.
height (cm) and Shoot dry biomass (g) of common bean at However, the reduction in nodule number in response to
Nedjo during the 2011 cropping season. increased rates of nitrogen may be attributed to the
negative effect of N- fertilizer on nodule formation and
Treatments Plant height (cm) Shoot dry biomass (g)
growth at maximum rates. This suggestion is in line with
N rates (kg/ha)
that of Laws and Graves (2005) who reported high rate of
0 47.66c 11.11c
b
nitrogen has impact negatively on nodulation resulted in
23 57.33 29.44a reduction of nodule number in French bean. These result
46 60.66 ab 23.11b
a
indicate the symbiotic relation of nodulation and infection
69 66.77 9.0c is very weak. This suggestion is in line with that of George
LSD 0.05 3.71 3.92 and Singleton (1992) who reported that the amount of N
Cultivars gained from fixation is influenced strongly by the N level in
Beshbesh 58.58 17.33 the soil. They observed that nodule number, nodule size
washkate 56.50 17.00 and nodule weight, were inversely related to increase in
Dimtu 59.25 20.16 fertilizer N.
LSD 0.05 NS NS
CV (%) 6.54 22.08 Number of effective nodule per plant

Number of total nodules Significant statistical differences (P < 0.05) were found in
number of effective nodule due to the main effects of
Significant statistical difference (P < 0.05) was observed in nitrogen and cultivar. (Similarly, the two factors of nitrogen
total number of nodule due to the main effects of nitrogen and cultivar interacted to influence this parameter
levels and cultivar. Similarly, significant variation was (Appendix Tabel3). The maximum number of effective
observed on the number of nodules per plant due to the nodule (85% per plant) was recorded at the application of
two factors interaction of nitrogen and cultivar to influence 23 kg N ha-1interactingwith Beshbesh followed by 46kg N
this parameter (Appendix Table 3). ha-1interacting with Beshbesh (50%) (Table 4). However,
Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars to Nitrogen Fertilizer Application at Nedjo, Western Ethiopia

at the application rate of0 N kg ha-1 and 69 N kg ha-1the
amount of effective nodule number reduced by about
20%.Thefailure to establish effective nodulation is often
considered to be the main reason for poor N 2 fixation by
common bean in the field, but the species may be
genetically predisposed to poor fixation because of
ineffective symbiosis and the short vegetative fixation
period (Piha and Munns, 1987).Similarly, Laws and
Graves (2005) reported that, when sufficient level of
nitrogen is present in the soil, nodulation is inhibited.
Similarly, Dadson and Acquaah, (1984) reported that,
under deficiency in soil N, small starter doses of applied N
Table 3. Interaction effect of applied Nitrogen and cultivars on nodule number plant -1 and effective nodule plant-1 of
common bean at Nedjo during the 2011 cropping season
N Rate Nodule number per plant
(kg /ha) Beshbesh Washkate Dimtu
0 3.83fg 2.72g 7.28efg
23 13.26 e 11.62 cd 52.47 a
46 31.16 a 7.04ef 11.33 ef
69 14.85 bc 26.16 a 22.76 ab
Mean 15.7 11.8 23.4
LSD 0.05 4.55
CV (%) 15.79
Number of pods per plant
The analysis of variance showed significant (P< 0.05)
differences on the number of pods per plant due to the
main effects of nitrogen and cultivar, respectively.
Similarly, the two factors interacted to influence this
parameter (Appendix Table 4).
Due to the interaction of N and cultivar, the maximum
number of pods plant-1 was recorded at the rate of 46kg N
ha-1with Beshbesh followed by69 kg N ha-1with Beshbesh.
At this combined rate, the number of pods per plant
increased by about 75% compared to the control
treatment. This conforms to observations made by Halesh
et al.(2000)who reported that the highest number of pod
per plant was obtained from the higher nitrogen doses(60
kg N ha-1). However, the number of pods produced at this
interaction of Beshbesh with69 kg N ha-1 was in statistical
parity with the number of pods per plant produced in
response to the interaction of 69 kg N ha-1 with Dimtu. At
the combined application of 23 kg Nha-1 with Local
washkate, lower number of pods per plant was recorded
((Table 5).
Generally, the results of this study revealed that nitrogen
play the greatest role in the promotion of growth and
development through enhancing photosynthesis, cell
division, and ultimately partitioning of photo assimilates to
pods as stated by Brady and Weil (2002) who described
that nitrogen fertilizer enhance cell division, leaf expansion
leaf growth, photosynthesis and partition of assimilates to
reproductive organs of plants. In the same way, Duque
et.al. (1985) observed in previous studies that some bean
cultivars respond to applied nitrogen.
Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars to Nitrogen Fertilizer Application at Nedjo, Western Ethiopia
Int. J. Plant. Breed Crop Sci. 914
may stimulate nodule formation and enhance the grain
yield of legumes.
The probable reduction of effective nodule number at
maximum rate of N is a result of fertilization reducing the
number of nodules on the roots (Cheminig’wa et al
2004).This is in line with the finding of Sweeter (1988) who
reported that high levels of soil N reduces nitrogenase
activity. Thus, decline in enzyme activity may decrease
sink strength of nodules.The reduction in effective nodule
in response to high rate of nitrogen is also in agreement
with the findings of Chuniet al (1985) who reported higher
rate of nitrogen fertilization degrades root nodules.
Effective nodule number
Beshbesh Washkate Dimtu
2.79d 1.42d 2.76d
96.70 a 23.33 c 31.00b
65.04 a 10.16 c 48.41a
45.04 a 15.00 c 33.51b
52.4 12.4 28.9
3.52
6.66
Number of seed per pod
The analysis of variance showed significant (P < 0.05)
differences on the number of seed per pod due to the main
effects of nitrogen and cultivar, respectively (Table 5).
Similarly, the two factors interacted to influence the
number of seed per pod (Appendix Tabale.4). Higher
number of seed per pod was s recorded at the interaction
of 46kg N ha-1with Beshbesh cultivar. At this interaction,
the number of seed pod-1 increased by about 78%
compared to the number of seed pod-1 produced in the
control treatment. However, the number of seed per pod
produced at this interaction level of N with Beshbesh was
in statistical parity with the number of seed per pod
produced at the interaction level of 69 kg N ha-1 with Dimtu.
This is in line with the finding of Dhanjal et al. (2001) who
reported that the indicated that number of grains per pod
in French bean increased with increase in nitrogen level
up to 120 kg ha-1. Similar results were reported by Data et
al. (2005) who reported that the number of seeds in pod of
fenugreek increased with increasing nitrogen level.
The lowest number of seed per pod was recorded at the
interaction of 23 kg Nha-1 with Local washkate
(AppendixTable. 4). Hedge and Srinivas (1989), reported
that the highest green pod yield of French bean was
obtained in response to the application of the highest
nitrogen rate, indicating the positive effect of fertilizer
nutrient uptake. Schiltz et al. (2005) who reported that the
contribution of N remobilization for seed N demand varies
from 84 % in common bean. Similarly, seed is the major
sink for N when applied at vegetative and reproductive
stages (Westermann et al., 1985). This conforms to the
observations made by Ireri (2001). The interaction
Dessalegn A. 915
between legume species and N sources on the number of
pods per plant, number of seed per pod, and grain yield
was not significant. This may be due to the fact that
Table 4: Interaction effects of applied Nitrogen and cultivars on number of pod plant -1 and number of seed -1pod of common
bean at Nedjo during the 2011 cropping season.
Rate((kg ha-1) Number of pod plant-1
Beshbesh Washkate Dimtu
0 9.33 6.00 10.00
23 27.66 11.33 15.33
46 28.33 10.00 25.0
69 20.0 8.00 23.66
Mean 21.3 8.8. 18.5
LSD(0.05) 3.45
CV(%) 12.58
Hundred Seed weight
Significant statistical differences (P < 0.05) were observed
on hundred seed weight due to the main effects of
nitrogen. However, neither the main effect of cultivar nor
the interaction effect of nitrogen and cultivar had significant
influence on hundred seed weight (Figure1). Absence of
significant effect on hundred seed weight due to nitrogen
and cultivar may be attributed to the fact hundred seed
weight is affected neither be external fertilizer application
nor cultivar or environmental factors this is in line with the
result of Rana and Singh (1998).
Not significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed at the
rate of nitrogen application from nil to 23 and 46 kg N ha-1.
The absence of response of hundred seed weight to 23
and 46 kg N ha-1 may be attributed to the fact that the two
levels of the fertilizers were still sub-optimal for the bean
plants to increase hundred seed weight. On the other
hand, when the rate of the nutrient was raised to 69kg N
ha-1 hundred seed weight increased significantly by about
50% (Figure 1). Similarly, that hundred seed weight was
significantly increased in response to increasing the rate of
nitrogen further than 69 kg N ha-1 might be attributed to
possible improvement in the availability of N in the soil for
uptake by plant roots. This finding is in line with that of
Sushant et al (1999) who reported that thousand seed
weight increased with increasing levels of N up to 100 kg
ha-1 on a siltyloam soil. This may be attributed to the
phenomenon that increasing nitrogen rate helps to
increase the number and size of grains and their rates of
growth as reported by Haynes (1986).
Increasing threat of nitrogen from 0 to 69 kg Nha -
1hundredseed weight was significantly increased by about
20%. The present study is in line with that of Veeresh
(2003)who reported that significant improvement was
observed in test weight of common bean increasing by 40,
80 and 120 kg N ha-1.Inthe same way, Tewari and Singh,
(2000) reported that hundred seed weight of common
bean increased significantly up to 120 kg N ha -1.The
minimum hundred seed weight was recorded at nil to 23
kg and 46 kg N ha-1level of nitrogen and maximum
Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars to Nitrogen Fertilizer Application at Nedjo, Western Ethiopia
adequate amount of N was present in the experimental
soil, and, hence external nitrogen input did not have
significant impact on these yield parameters.
Number of seed pod-1
Beshbesh Washkate Dimtu
3.66 3.33 4.66
6.33 4.00 5.00
9.00 5.00 8.00
6.33 5.00 5.33
6.3 4.3 5.7
0.71
7.74
hundred seed weight was recorded from 69 kg N ha-1rate
of nitrogen. This is in line with the result of Rana and Singh
(1998) who reported that increasing the rate of nitrogen to
80kg N ha-1application from 40 kg N ha significantly
improved the test weight of common bean-1.
Figure 1: Effects of nitrogen rate and cultivars on hundred
seed weight (g) of common bean grown at Nedjo during
the 2011 cropping season
Stand count at harvest
Stand count at harvest was not significantly affected by the
main effects of nitrogen application level (.However,
significant (P<0.05) difference was observed due to the
interaction effect of nitrogen and cultivar on this parameter.
Similarly, there was significant effect of cultivars on stand
count at harvest (Appendix Table 4). Absence of
significant effect on stand count due to the main effect of
nitrogen may be attributed to the fact that externally
applied nitrogen may not influence germination. This result
is in line with that of George and Singleton, (1992) who
reported that plants require external supply of N for early
vegetative and later reproductive phases of growth, and
not for germination and seedling establishment.
The highest stand count was obtained at different rate of
46 kg N ha-1with same cultivar Beshbesh (120,588
plants/ha) followed by 69kg N ha-1 with Beshbesh
(119,117plant/ha) respectively. There was no significant
difference at the rate of 23Nkg ha-1with Dimtu, 69 N kg ha-
1 with Dimtu, 46kg N ha-1with Dimtu and 23kg Nha-1 with
Beshbesh. While the lowest (42,647 plants/ha) was
obtained from Washkate. For all three cultivars, the stand

count was greater than their respective control treatments,
though the difference was not statistically significant
(Table 6). The results revealed that 46kg N ha-1 improved
the establishment of Beshbesh, Dimtu and Washkate
respectively. The highest stand count was obtained from
nitrogen rate of 46kg N ha-1 with Beshbesh (97619
plants/ha) while the lowest (34,524 plants/ha) was
obtained from control treatment. This variation in stand
count was observed perhaps due to cultivars probably
difference in inherent characteristics or varieties. This
finding is also supported by results from previous studies
which revealed that some bean cultivars may respond to
applied N (Duque et.al., 1985). Similarly Amos.et al (2001)
found that nitrogen fertilizer only increased the seed
number per plant but not stand count after emergence, pod
number per plant and grain yield of common bean.
Above ground biomass
Above ground dry biomass was significantly affected by
the main effects of nitrogen application level and the
genotype respectively (P< 0.05). Similarly, significant
difference was observed due to (P<0.05) the two factors
interaction of nitrogen and cultivar influence above ground
biomass. Significant difference (P<0.05) was observed at
the interaction of 69 kg N ha-1with Beshbesh (11.71t/ha)
following by 46 N kg ha-1 with Beshbesh (10.71t/ha was
recorded. Although there was not significant variation was
observed among the interaction of69 kg N ha-1with Local
washkate, 46 kgNha-1with Dimtu and 23 kg N ha-1with
Dimtu. This observation tells us at different rate of nitrogen
there was no significant difference among cultivar either
due to genetic makeup of the cultivars or environmental
factor. Under high dose of nitrogen supply Maximum
above ground dry biomass yield was obtained. However,
the lowest above ground dry biomass was recorded from
control treatment. Increasing nitrogen application may be
ascribed to the phenomenon that sufficient supply of
nitrogen is associated with increased canopy and leaf
vegetative that may lead to high dry matter accumulation.
Prajapati et al. (2003) reported that total dry matter
production per plant increased significantly due to
increased N application of 120 kg N ha-1. This result is
consistent with that of Rajesh et al. (2006) who reported
that application of 180 kg N ha-1 significantly increased the
dry weight per plant in French bean during winter season.
Similarly, linear increase in dry matter per plant from 17.3
to 20.7g (1989-1990) and 17.1 to 21.6g (1990-1991) was
observed due to nitrogen fertilization from zero to120 kg N
ha-1 (Saxena and Verma, 1995). High N requirement of
bean seed induces N remobilization from vegetative
tissues, anda concomitant degradation of leaf proteins
inducing leaf senescence that results in declined canopy.
This is in line with the finding of (Lynch & White, 1992).
Grain yield
Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in grain yield
due to the main effects of nitrogen and cultivar (Table 6).
Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars to Nitrogen Fertilizer Application at Nedjo, Western Ethiopia
Int. J. Plant. Breed Crop Sci. 916
Similarly, significant (P < 0.05) difference was observed in
this parameter due to due to the interaction effect of
nitrogen and cultivar (Appendix Table 4).The interactions
of 69 kg N ha-1 with Beshbesh followed by the interaction
of 69 kg N ha-1 with Dimtu resulted in the highest grain yield
of 4.58t/ha and 4.40t/ha, respectively, compared to the
yield obtained for plants grown in the control treatment.
This result reveals a positive relation between the length
of the pod filling period that could provide larger amounts
of photosynthesis for growing seeds and grain yield of
common bean. This is in line with the finding of Ranalli &
Cubero (1997) who reported that extended leaf area
duration would be required for high yielding bean cultivars.
Interaction of 69 kg Nha-1with cultivar Beshbesh and Dimtu
showed better performance at the highest rate of nitrogen
application which may be due to the highest response of
the cultivar to N and use efficiency than Washkate. This is
in line with the finding of Duque et.al. (1985) who reported
from previous studies that revealed some bean cultivars
responded to applied N. The findings of the present study
are in agreement with that of Koli and Akashe (1994) who
reported that seed yield of common bean showed
significant and positive increase in response to increased
nitrogen levels up to 60kgN ha-1. Similarly, the results of
this study is in line with that of Dadson and Acquaah,
(1984) who reported that deficiency in soil N, small starter
doses of applied N may stimulate nodule formation and
enhance the grain yield of legumes.
Grain yield was increased with increasing application of
nitrogen fertilizer. This is in line with finding of Sushant et
al. (1999) who observed that application of 100 kg N ha-1
produced more than 3 double higher yields over no N
fertilization. Regarding this parameter there is also low
yield under non-fertilized plot. The average yield recorded
from the control treatments (1.59 t ha-1) in the current study
was somewhat higher than the average common bean
grain yield from local and non-fertilized farmers’ fields
0.14-0.77t/ha (kapkiyai et.al., 1998) and is also higher than
the national average yield 0.50 t ha-1by about 100% (Ssali,
1998). Due to common ideas of farmers, common bean
can fix nitrogen like chickpea, faba bean, etc. But common
bean can fix only a part of the nitrogen it needs (Bills,
1993b).There is low national yield of common bean in
Ethiopia due to rising costs of fertilizers and scarcity of
genotypes. In this trial, the use of improved cultivars of
Beshbesh and Dimtu, row planting, and better
management practices of the trial area might have
contributed to the high yield of the crop in the control
treatments compared to the national yield. This may make
clear the higher grain yield obtained from the control
treatments compared to the yield often obtained from
farmers’ field that are cultivated traditionally with no
application of any fertilizers and selection of cultivars.That
the yield of the crop increased in response to the increased
nitrogen fertilizer may confirm the suggestion of Graham
and Vance (2000) who stated thatlack of response to
inoculation with rhizobium bacteria has been attributed to
ineffective common-bean rhizobia in soil that led to
Dessalegn A. 917

inefficient nitrogen fixation consequently causing yield common bean as a result of which it requires more external
reductions. This argument agrees with that of by Ssali and nitrogen and phosphorus application for root development,
Keya (1986) who suggested that nodulation is poor in nodulation and better plant growth and production.

Table 5. Interaction effects of applied nitrogen and cultivars biomass (t ha -1) and grain yield (t ha-1) of common bean at
Nedjo during the 2011 cropping season.
N Rate Stand count Above GroundBiomass Yield(t ha-1) Grain yield (t ha-1)
Kg /ha Beshbesh Washkate Dimtu Beshbesh Washkate Dimtu Beshbesh Washkate Dimtu
0 50.0bc 29.0c 45.0bc 3.57c 1.58gh 4.76efg 1.59fg 1.55fg 1.53fg
23 62.3 ab 31.0c 68.7 ab 7.14bc 3.57c 5.55 ef 1.96def 1.61 fg 2.52bc
46 82.0 a 53.7bc 62.7 ab 10.71 a 4.76efg 6.34 ef 3.19b 1.23 g 2.28cd
69 81.7 a 44.7bc 65.0 ab 11.11 a 6.74ef 10.31 ab 4.58a 3.27 b 4.41a
Mean 69.0 39.6 60.3 8.3 4.1 6.7 2.8 1.9 2.6
LSD 0.05 13.5 1.78 0.26
CV (%) 13.8 16.65 10.86

Harvest index Table 6. Interaction effects of applied Nitrogen and

cultivars harvest index of common bean at
No significant differences (P<0.05) were observed on Nedjo during the 2011 cropping season.
harvest index due to the main effects of cultivar as well as N rate/ha Cultivars harvest index
nitrogen application.However, the two factors interacted to 0 Beshbesh 0.47
influence this parameter (P<0.05). Absence of significant Washkate 1.05
effect on harvest index due to nitrogen and cultivar may be Dimtu 0.32
attributed to the fact harvest index is affected neither be 23 Beshbesh 0.28
external fertilizer application nor cultivar. Washkate 0.45
Dimtu 0.46
The interaction of nitrogen and cultivar significantly 46 Beshbesh 0.30
reduced harvest index as compared to the control. Washkate 0.26
However, there were no significant differences between 46 Dimtu 0.36
N kg ha-1and 69 kg N ha-1 rate of treatments. The
69 Beshbesh 0.43
maximum harvest index was obtained in response to the
Washkate 0.49
application of 0 kg N ha-1with Local washkate (1.05).The
Dimtu 0.42
lowest harvest index was obtained at 46Nkg ha-1with
Beshbesh (0.26). Due to the nitrogen level of 69, 46 and LSD0.05 0.18
23 N kgha-1harvest index was relatively reduced to the CV (%) 24.60
control (12.5%), (6.5%) and (4.5%) respectively.
According to this experiment harvest index of washkate
The current result of increments of harvest index with the (1.05) as the level of N increase harvest index is minimum
increase in nitrogen rates is in line with the finding of but at zero level harvest index is maximum. This is indicate
Srinivas and Naik (1988) who reported that nitrogen the variety of Washkate has less response to N
application did not affect any significant increase in the application than no N or zero application.
harvest index of French bean cultivar, with increasing
levels of N viz., zero, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha-1 which Correlation among Yield and Yield Components
recorded 0.68, 0.70, 0.73, 0.68 and 0.72harvest index
values, respectively. Significant improvement in harvest The summarized results of the correlation analysis are
index was recorded due to nitrogen application up to 50 kg presented in (Appendix Table 2). The data indicated that,
ha-1 (Singh and Singh, 2000), while, Dhanjal et al. (2001) the parameters such as, days to maturity, plant height,
reported improvement in harvest index values (31.60, number of pod per plant, number of seed per pod, hundred
31.99 and 33.86 %) due to increasing N level (zero to 60 seed weight nodule number per plant, number of effective
and120 kg ha-1 respectively) which was significant up to nodule per plant and grain yield were positively and
highest level. Similarly harvest index may rise when yield significantly correlated to each other. The consequences
has risen while shoot weight either did not increase or of the linear correlation coefficient analysis indicated that
increased proportionally less, or because yield did not plant height was highly significant (P<0.01) and positively
increase but shoot weight is fell (Kebede, 2000). associated with grain yield (=0.71**), above ground dry
biomass (r = 0.70**), number of pod per plant (0.62**) and

Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars to Nitrogen Fertilizer Application at Nedjo, Western Ethiopia

significantly (P<0.05) correlated with number of seed per
pod (0.58*). Positive and significant correlation of plant
height with grain yield, number of pod per plant and above
ground dry biomass indicates that factors improving the
plant height may lead to improve grain yield, number of
pod per plant and above ground dry biomass.
Furthermore, days to flowering was highly significant
(P<0.01) and positively associated with days to maturity (r
= 0.092**). The observed positive and significant
correlation values between days to flowering and days to
maturity indicates the presence of a close relationship
among these parameters and factors affecting the days to
maturity may also affects days to flowering (Brady and
Weil, 2002). In the same way, effective nodule number was
observed to be significantly (P<0.05) and positively
correlated with grain yield (r = 0.32*), and with above
ground biomass (r = 0.57*). The positive and significant
correlation observed between effective nodule number
and grain yield shows that factors improving the effective
nodule number may lead to improved yield (Dadson and
Acquaah, (1984)).
Number of pod per plant was highly significant (P<0.01)
and positively correlated with number of seed per pod (r =
0.81**), and stand count (r = 0.78**) as well as, positively
and significantly (P<0.05) correlated with nodule number
per plant (r = 0.32*). Similarly, number of pod per plant was
significantly (P<0.05) and positively correlated with
effective nodule number per plant (r = 0.72**). Karmakar
and Bhatanagar (1996) observed a significantly positive
correlation of number of seed per pod with seed yield in
soya bean indicates that Bean pods and seeds were major
sinks for N when applied at vegetative and reproductive
stages, respectively. Similarly (Lynch & White, 1992)
observed that N allocation to seeds dominates the
reproductive N budget of common bean. Positive and
significant correlation of number of pods per plant with
number of seed per pod as well as, stand count with
nodule number per plant indicates that the presence of a
close relationship among these parameters (Smith,
1982).The association of above ground biomass was
positively and highly significant (P<0.01) correlated with
grain yield (r = 0.82**). It was also positively correlated with
hundred seed weight (r = 0.56*). Hundred seed weight also
positively and significantly (P<0.05) correlated with grain
yield (r = 0.64*). In the same way stand count was
significantly (P<0.05) and positively correlated with
number of nodule per plant (r = 0.0.43*), effective nodule
number (r=0.59*), above ground biomass(r=0.77*) and
grain yield(r=0.60*) Positive and significant (P<0.05)
correlation of stand count with grain yield my caused by
increase in grain yield my resulted in the entire of plants.
Nodule number per plant was non-significantly associated
with almost all of the parameters considered in the current
investigation in the same way Harvest index was
negatively correlated with all parameters. In addition day
to emergence was also negatively correlated with almost
all parameters (Appendix table 2). The negative correlation
Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars to Nitrogen Fertilizer Application at Nedjo, Western Ethiopia
Int. J. Plant. Breed Crop Sci. 918
between biomass production and harvest index (Villareal
et al., 1992) suggests that increased above ground dry
biomass may lead to reduce the percentage of harvest
index.
CONCLUSON
The experiment was laid out in October 20011 at Nedjo
ATVET collage, which is located at an altitude of 1735
meter above sea level. Thus, information on soil fertility
and crop response to different soil fertility management
is very important to come up with profitable and
sustainable crop production. In line with this, research
was undertaken to investigate the effect of N application
on yield and yield component of three common bean
(Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties. A factorial treatment
combinations of four levels of nitrogen (0, 23,46 and 69 kg
N ha-1) and three levels of cultivars (Beshbesh, Local
washkate ,and Dimtu ) was laid out as a Randomized
Complete Block Design with three replications using urea
(46% N) as sources of nitrogen and Cultivars, respectively.
The soil of the experimental site has a pH of 5.00, total
nitrogen 0.039%, organic carbon 1.74%, CEC of 44.4 meq
kg-1 of soil.
The main effect of nitrogen application significantly (P <
0.05) affect phenological data such as days to maturity,
days to flowering, plant height and hundred seed weight of
common bean. Increasing nitrogen rate from 0 to 69 kg N
ha-1 extended days to flowering from 30.33 to 33.00 days.
Similarly it delayed days to maturity from 90.55 to 92.77
days. In contrast, cultivars are non-significant days to
maturity, flowering and plant height. Growth parameters
such as plant height and shoot dry biomass were
significantly affected by main effect of nitrogen fertilizer
application. It was also noted in this study that, Nodule
parameters such as nodule number and effective nodule
were also significantly affected by main effect of nitrogen
fertilizer application and cultivars and their interactions.
Hundred seed weight was also significantly affected by
nitrogen fertilizers. How ever there was no significant
interaction effect of cultivars on this parameter of the plant.
But, the mean maximum and minimum hundred seed
weight was obtained from 69 kg N ha-1 and 46kg N ha-1
respectively. Increment in nitrogen rates from 0 to 69 kg N
ha-1 increased hundred seed weight of common bean by
95%.The main effect of nitrogen interaction and cultivars
significantly affect yield and yield components such as
pods per plant, seed per pod, stand count, above ground
biomass, grain yield and harvest index. Application of 69
kg Nha-1with Beshbesh gave the highest grain yield (4.58
t ha-1). The lowest yield of common bean was obtained
from the control treatment. Aboveground dry biomass was
significantly affected by the interaction of nitrogen
fertilization and cultivars. The maximum above ground dry
biomass was obtained at the 69 kg N ha-1 with Beshbesh
cultivars (11.11t ha-1). In addition, pods per plant and
number of seed per pod were also significantly affected by
Dessalegn A. 919
the main effects of nitrogen fertilization and cultivar. Thus,
the highest number of pods per plant (28.33) and seed per
pod (9.00) was obtained from the combined application of
46 kg N ha-1 with Beshbesh. Appositive and significant
(P<0.01) association was found among days to maturity
and days to flowering; number of pods per plant with seed
per pod, aboveground biomass, and plant height; plant
height with number of pod per Therefore, based on the
results of this experiment and taking the current rising
prices of fertilizers into consideration, cultivating the
Beshbesh cultivar with the application of 69 kg N ha-1could
be recommended as profitable production system of
common bean in the study area, which will also enhance
income, food security, and human nutrition in the region.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
It is my great pleasure to express my sincere appreciation
and special gratitude to my major advisor, Dr. Nigussie
Dechassa and Co-advisor, Dr. Negash Geleta for their
valuable advice, sustained and educated guidance,
enthusiastic collaboration, and for critically reviewing the
research proposal as well as the thesis manuscript. Their
constructive comments and professional involvement
immensely contributed to the accomplishment of the
research work and write-up of this thesis.
I am grateful to Wollega University for providing me with
the financial support I required for conducting the research
and writing up the thesis. I am also highly indebted to all
staff members of Nedjo ATVET College for providing me
with a stimulating environment for research. I am
especially grateful to Professor Fikadu Beyene the
president of Wollega University, Mr Hirpa Legesse Dr. Eba
Mijana, Mr Amanti Gemachu, Mr Duguma Megarsa, Mr
Diriba Bakale, and Mr Ahmed Mohammed for their
dedicated help in mobilizing and organizing the necessary
resources and gadgets that enabled me to complete the
research work successfully.Finally, I am indebted to my
family as a whole and especially to my mother Alamitu
Gurmesa; my father Dessalegn Hangarasa and my
husband Girma Namara for their encouragement, loving
support and patience. I earnestly appreciate my sisters
and brothers Lomitu Dessalegn, Demisew Dessalegn and
Shimelis Dessalegn and my friends Aberash Mosisa,
Kumeshi Lelisa, Jemal Furo, Atomsa Besha, Kana
Kelbesa, Belay Beyene, Misgana Belay, Diriba Chali,
Tamasgen Roro, Iyob Tarfa, Alemu Beyene, Yetderesu
Mamuye, Brihanu Hayile, Mulusew Yadata, Kasahun
Hayile, Fayisa Fikadu, and all agronomy students who
provided me with various supports and advice during my
research work. Above all, I would like to praise and glorify
the Almighty God, who gave me life and health that I
required to complete this research and fulfil all aspirations
of my life.
Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars to Nitrogen Fertilizer Application at Nedjo, Western Ethiopia
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Accepted 1 November 2019
Citation: Dessalegn A (2020). Response of Common
Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars to Nitrogen
Fertilizer Application at Nedjo, Western Ethiopia.
International Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science,
7(3): 909-921.
Copyright: © 2020: Dessalegn A. This is an open-access
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