The Effects of Hydro Priming Intervals on the Germination and Yield of Kidney Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the Humid Forest Zone of Cameroon

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the appropriate hydro-priming interval on germination, growth and yield of kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Block Design, with five treatments, replicated thrice. This study was conducted at the agricultural research farm of Pan African Institute for Development – West Africa (PAID-WA), Buea from August to October 2017. The Five treatments were: T1 (Unprimed or control), T2 (Hydro-primed for 6 hours), T3 (Hydro-primed for 12 hours), T4 (Hydro-primed for 18 hours), and T5 (Hydro-primed for 24 hours). Data were collected on percentage germination, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, number of pods, pod weight and grain yield. The result revealed there was a significant increase in days (P < 0.05) in the germination percentage of some primed seeds and unprimed seeds across the treatment. There was not any significant difference (P > 0.05) in plant height, number of leaves, plant girth from T1 to T5. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the number of pots among the primed treatments. Yield of beans also showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) with unprimed and primed plants. Seeds of T2, T3, T4, T5 produced the following yields 11.1 kg/ha, 22.3 kg/ha, 172.3 kg/ha, 277.8 kg/ha more than unprimed seeds (control) respectively. This study showed that hydro primed seeds for 6 hours produced the best growth and development aspect as well as the yield, despite the low germination percentage as compared to the unprimed and the other primed seeds.