Effect of Different Mulching Materials on Residual Moisture Content Conservation and Yield of Brown Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Minna, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the impact of mulching on the growth, yield, and moisture content of Brown Beans during the 2021 growing season at Diamond Global Academy school farm in Minna, Niger State. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments included no mulching, Dry maize straw mulch, black polythene mulch, and white polythene mulch. Blocking was used to prevent fertility and slope variations among treatments. The total seasonal water requirement was estimated at 258.48 mm. The results showed that white plastic mulch resulted in the highest average fresh pod yield of 3753.1 g/m2, while the control plot had a minimum yield of 2844.4 g/m2. The marketable yield was significantly affected by mulch application. The highest quality was observed in white plastic mulch (3528 g/m2), while dry maize straw mulches did not show any significant difference. The study concluded that polythene may be a preferable mulch for increasing quality and brown bean production by conserving soil profile moisture.