Effect of Weeds in Yield Loss of Beans

Abstract

Weeds are unwanted plants growing in agricultural lands, gardens, road sides and mainly disturbed areas where they do not depend on human intervention for their reproduction and survival. Depending upon density, types, duration of competition, management practices and weather conditions, weeds may cause a reduction in crop yield. To determine the effect of weeds on the yield of beans, an experiment was carried out in University of Eldoret research farm in 2017 for two seasons. The area is located in Uasin Gishu county, Kenya and lies at an altitude of 2133 m above sea level. Geographically, the area is at 35o 18’ E longitude and 0o 30’N latitude. The experiment was laid out as a factorial in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three bean varieties and three treatments. The treatments were weed free plots, weedy plot and plots with single weeding. The data obtained were subjected to ANOVA using Genstat version 14 and means separated by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results indicated that weeds significantly reduced the yield of all the three bean varieties from between 12-27%. From the results, it was deduced that all the bean varieties tested were susceptible to yield loss due to weeds. The study recommends for proper weed control in beans so as to realize good yields.