The effects of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizer level on nodulation, growth and dinitrogen fixation of three bean cultivars

Abstract

Application of P (150 kg P/ha) increased nodulation, dry matter yield, P uptake, tissue N yield, dinitrogen fixation and seed yield of the three bean cultivars (Rose Coco, Canadian Wonder and Mwezi moja) at both N levels (10 and 100 kg N/ha). A high dose of N severely reduced nodulation only where P was not applied but severely reduced dinitrogen fixation at both P levels. Where P was applied cultivars fixed comparable quantities of dinitrogen. At no P + 10 kg N/ha cultivar Rose Coco nodulated well early in the growth stages and fixed substantial dinitrogen