| dc.description.abstract | The garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important vegetable crop in the high
potential areas of Kenya. However, yields realised locally are typically lower than those
reported from other pea growing areas in the world. This situation is attributable to among
others, varietal, edaphic and management factors. This study was therefore carried out to
determine the effect of genotype and Rhizobium inoculation on growth and yield performance
of garden pea in two soils of contrasting pH.
A Rhizobium strain, Rhizobium leguminosarum bv viciae was assayed on four pea
cultivars namely Greenfeast (certified seed) and local landraces-Kiriitho, Kagoci, and Kigogrown
in soil of either low (pH 4.0) or moderate (pH 6.5) levels of soil acidity. These were
I contrasted with calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN 26% N) topdressed plants and non-applied
treatments in a randomized complete block design experiment with four replications. There
were significant main factor interactions for parameters such as yield and yield components,
N content, and growth factors such as root length and shoot dry matter. No interactions were
observed for parameters such as final plant height, nodule number, date of maturity and
flowering. content.
Similarly, statistical evidence adduced showed positive and significant co-rrelation
(P_<0.05) between Rhizobium inoculation, yield and yield components such as number of
branches, number of pods and the 100 seed weight in all varieties tested. There were strong
linear links between the main yield components and seed yield components and seed yield
components and seed yield; such branches per plant 100 seed mass and pods per plant. Fixed
or availed N increased the number of branches, pods per plant, 100 seed weight and grain
yield by about 8, 6 and 30% respectively over the N deficient control treatment. A yield
advantage of at least 70%- 100% was obtained by the high yielding Greenfeast over the
yielding ~ Kagocj, and Kiriitho varieties.
Inoculated plants invariably gave higher grain yields than applied N and control (nonapplied)
treatments. For the applied treatments number of branches, pods and the 100 seed
weights were intermediate between those for control and inoculated treatments. The
certified variety Greenfeast significantly out yielded local landraces, such as Kiriitho,Kigo,
and Kagoci.
Evidence adduced showed that inoculation, along with certified varieties was a yield
enhancing, sustainable, economical, and ecologically friendly management strategy that
ensured higher cash returns on investments. | en |
