Effect of liming and triple superphosphate fertilizer application on growth and root nodulation of common bean (phaseolus vulgaris) in soils of old tea lands

Abstract

ffect of liming and application of phosphatic fertilizer on growth and root nodulation of common bean in an old tea land was investigated. A field trial was conducted where tea had been uprooted after 70 years of monoculture under high inorganic fertilizer input. Lime was applied at 0, 4, 8 and 12 tonnes ha-1 and triple superphosphate at 0, 5, 10 and 15 g per planting hole. The treatments were combined in a factorial design and investigated for effects on the soil pH, nodule formation, and some plant growth parameters. Lime application raised the soil pH and also significantly (P= 0.05) increased dry matter production and nodule quantity. Phosphorus also increased dry matter production and nodule quantity significantly (P = 0.05). These observations are discussed in regard to ways of enabling bean crop grow on old tea lands.