Antoine Kanyenga Lubobo, Emery Kasongo L.M, Roger Kizungu V, Gustave Nachigera M, and Adrien Kalonji M.
A series of trials on planting dates on bean has been carried out for three years (2009, 2010 and 2011) in 4 locations of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in prone drought zones production ; Kipopo , Mulungu, Luvungi and Kibututu . Four genotypes were planted at six different dates in a Split Plots Design in which bean genotypes were considered as primary factor and planting dates as secondary factor. The aim of this study was to determine the optimum date for planting and assess the yield performance and micronutrients content of bean. Results revealed significant differences between planting dates, genotypes, sites and years and their interaction. Across locations and years, CodMLB001 planted on 22nd January, 29th January and 5th February; increased yield respectively up to 2.7 %, 15.8 % and 13.4 % above the yield of bean planted on 15th January. The genotype RWK 10 planted on 22nd January, increased the yield up to 6.3 % above the same genotype planted on 15th January. However, Hm 21-7 and the local check; were the most stable at different planting dates across locations and years. In general, the postponement of planting by delaying the early planting for one or two weeks and by bringing forward the late planting allows an increase on yield but this situation vary with the rainfall and soil properties in each site .This describe a better adaptation and plasticity of these bean genotypes to the variation of the planting dates and as well as other environmental conditions.
Share this article