Narrow row planting increases yield and suppresses weeds in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in a semi-arid agro-ecology of Nyagatare, Rwanda

Narrow row planting has potential to increase crop growth and yield by increasing radiation interception (RI) and minimizing intra-specific competition in the crop. It reduces weed growth and competitiveness, making resources that are normally taken up by weeds available for crop uptake. The objecti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Crop protection 2014-10, Vol.64, p.13-18
Main Authors: Dusabumuremyi, P., Niyibigira, C., Mashingaidze, A.B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bean growth
Bean yield
Row spacing
Weed biomass
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Summary:Narrow row planting has potential to increase crop growth and yield by increasing radiation interception (RI) and minimizing intra-specific competition in the crop. It reduces weed growth and competitiveness, making resources that are normally taken up by weeds available for crop uptake. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of row spacing on weed biomass, bean growth and yield in a semi arid agro-ecology at Nyagatare, Rwanda. The study was set up as a randomized complete block design in October–December 2009 and repeated in 2011. Planting patterns at a constant bean population density of 111 000 plants ha−1 random planting (normal practice), narrow row planting (30 cm × 30 cm), medium row planting (45 cm × 20 cm) and wide row planting (60 cm × 15 cm) were treatments tested in this study. The narrow row square planting pattern significantly (P 
ISSN:0261-2194
1873-6904
DOI:10.1016/j.cropro.2014.05.021