EFFECTS OF PLANTING DEPTH AND BIO-FERTILIZER RATES ON YIELD COMPONENTS AND YIELD OF FABA BEAN (Vicia fabae L.) IN MALKA BELO DISTRICT, EASTHARARGHE,ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Miss-use of bio-fertilizer rates and poor management practices including use of in appropriate planting depth are among the major constraints limiting the productivity of Faba bean In Ethiopia in general and in the study area in particular A plot experiment in a complete ran domized block design (CRBD) with three replications having five planting depths ( 5, 7, 10 ,12 and 15 cm) and bio fertilizer (0 pockets,3 pockets,4 pockets) in a factorial combination were evaluated during augest-november 2021. The objective was to evaluate the effects of different planting depth on Yield components and Yield of Faba bean. The results showed that all char acters of the Faba bean were significantly affected (P<0.01) by depth and biofertilizer. How ever, the two main factors interaction affect only number of plant height, total above ground biomass, grain and straw yield. The highest (126.00cm) plant height, (8122kg/ha) total above ground biomass, (38.28) number of seeds per plant and the highest (3136 kg ha-1 ) grain yield were obtained from plots received 4 pockets ha-1 . Similarly, the highest (0.4011) harvest in dex was obtained from 4 pockets ha-1 bio-fertilizer. Whereas, mean square of the highest (11.23) pods per plant was recorded from 12cm, However, the highest (116.9 cm) plant height from 7cm. (29.89) number of seeds per plant from 10cm and (0.3711) harvest index from 7cm depth and (2661 kg ha-1 )grain yield were recorded on depth of 10cm. The partial analysis shows as to increase plant performance planting of with the depth 10 cm and the application of bio-fertilizer at a rate of 3 pockets ha-1 . Based on the result of this study, it can be conclud ed that the application of 3 pockets ha-1 and the growing of 10cm depth could be better choice of the farmers of the study area to obtain high yield with higher rate of return. However, since the experiment was conducted for one season at one location, it is suggested that the experi ment has to be repeated over seasons and locations using this and other improved manage ment practice in order to give a comprehensive recommendation.