Yield Potential Of Different Certified Common Bean Varieties Under Different Tillage Methods In Kenya A Case Of Laikipia County

Common bean Phaseolus vulgaris L. is the most important food legume for direct consumption with a higher per capita consumption in Africa estimated at 31.4 kgyear. Bean production is constrained by poor soil fertility insufficient soil moisture low yielding varieties and changes in weather. In order to improve yields an integrated approach is required to address the limiting factors. The main objective of the study was to determine the yield potential of different common bean varieties under different tillage methods. Three tillage methods zero minimum and conventional tillage and three bean varieties Mwitemania KAT b9 and Mwezi moja were tested in a randomized completed block design with three replicates. All yield parameters for the three bean varieties number of grains per pod weight of 100 gains biomass above ground weight per plot and harvest index were significant p 0.05. KAT B9 and Mwezi moja were found to have higher yield potential and are recommended for production in Laikipia.