Effects of Nitrogen Application on Growth and Yield of Snowpeas (Pisum sativum)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at Kabete field station, University of Nairobi between March and July 2000 (season I) and between June and September 2000 (season II) to determine the effect of different rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application on growth and yield of snowpea. Snowpea variety “Oregon sugar pod II” was used. The experiment was laid out in a complete randomized block design with three replicates. Four N levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha-1) were split applied in equal halves as CAN (26% N) at 29 and 58 days after planting (DAP). Plant height, leaf area index, above ground dry mass, number of pods and pod dry weight were determined overtime. All the growth and yield parameters studied did not substantially benefit from N fertilizer application. It was therefore recommended that less N be applied for growth and yield of snowpeas.