Study area
Four MIP (Malagasy Institute for Plant Research) research sites: Ambohitrony Andriampamaky, Mangamila, Ambohidray, and Tsarasaotra, Madagascar.
Objectives
To improve bean productivity during the rainy season by testing water management and disease prevention practices.
Specific objectives: (1) evaluate the effect of raised beds (billons) for drainage on yield; (2) assess the efficacy of different organic fertilizer applications on growth and yield; (3) identify crop management practices that reduce disease incidence.
Methodology
Completely Randomized Block Design; 4 treatments × 4 replications = 16 plots of 6 m² (2 m × 3 m).
T1: flat planting without fertilizer (control);
T2: raised beds (20 cm high) without fertilizer
T3: flat planting + cattle manure
T4: raised beds + cattle manure. Variety CLA 98 (vangamena), spacing 50 cm × 20 cm, 2–3 seeds/hill, manure at 100 g/hill.
Monitored parameters
Growth: seedling emergence rate at 15 DAS, plant height at 35 DAS and at flowering.
Plant health: disease incidence and severity (anthracnose, rust, mosaic – 0–4 scale); pest identification (aphids Aphis fabae, bean weevil Apoderus humeralis, bollworm Helicoverpa armigera).
Yield: pods per plant, seeds per pod, weight of 100 seeds, grain yield (kg/ha).
Economic analysis: input costs, gross revenue, net margin, benefit-cost ratio, break-even point.
Four MIP (Malagasy Institute for Plant Research) research sites: Ambohitrony Andriampamaky, Mangamila, Ambohidray, and Tsarasaotra, Madagascar.
Objectives
To improve bean productivity during the rainy season by testing water management and disease prevention practices.
Specific objectives: (1) evaluate the effect of raised beds (billons) for drainage on yield; (2) assess the efficacy of different organic fertilizer applications on growth and yield; (3) identify crop management practices that reduce disease incidence.
Methodology
Completely Randomized Block Design; 4 treatments × 4 replications = 16 plots of 6 m² (2 m × 3 m).
T1: flat planting without fertilizer (control);
T2: raised beds (20 cm high) without fertilizer
T3: flat planting + cattle manure
T4: raised beds + cattle manure. Variety CLA 98 (vangamena), spacing 50 cm × 20 cm, 2–3 seeds/hill, manure at 100 g/hill.
Monitored parameters
Growth: seedling emergence rate at 15 DAS, plant height at 35 DAS and at flowering.
Plant health: disease incidence and severity (anthracnose, rust, mosaic – 0–4 scale); pest identification (aphids Aphis fabae, bean weevil Apoderus humeralis, bollworm Helicoverpa armigera).
Yield: pods per plant, seeds per pod, weight of 100 seeds, grain yield (kg/ha).
Economic analysis: input costs, gross revenue, net margin, benefit-cost ratio, break-even point.