Comparative yield analysis of two varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris L. in Rhizobium inoculated post-solarized soil

To exploit the maximum benefits of an agronomical technique, it is imperative to ascertain with some degree of certainty how varieties of plant will respond to its application. Consequently, the influence of Rhizobium inoculation on the yield of two varieties of P.vulgaris (white and brown) in post-solarized soil were investigated by subjecting soil to these treatments: unsolarized uninoculated (control), unsolarized inoculated, solarized uninoculated and solarized inoculated with Rhizobium. Thereafter planting of viable seeds of P. vulgaris commenced 2 weeks after treatments and observed for a period of 4 months to determine the effect of treatments on germination, plant heights, root lengths, fresh weights, nodule and pod numbers as well as pod lengths in both varieties. Solarization temperature ranged between 29.0 and 53.0 0C. Treatments had no significant effects on plant germination in the two varieties. However, Fresh weights, nodule and pod numbers differ significantly with treatment: solarized inoculated unsolarized inoculated unsolarized uninoculated solarized uninoculated in both varieties (P 0.05). The longest pod lengths (11.5 and 11.0 cm) and plant heights (142.5 and 141.7cm) were recorded in solarized inoculated, while the shortest pod lengths (8.0 and 7.5 cm) and heights (124.0 and 123.3 cm) in solarized uninoculated soils for white and brown varieties respectively. Solarized uninoculated soils also recorded the shortest root lengths. While response of the two varieties of P. vulgaris to each of the treatments did not differ significantly (P 0.05), their yield were enhanced by Rhizobium inoculation in the post-solarized soil.