Indexing
All Issues
Submission
Author Guidelines
Reviewers
Editorial Members
Publication Fee
Vol.5 , No. 2, Publication Date: Mar. 7, 2018, Page: 19-27
 and KK8 (22%) being the most popular. The purity of seeds was about 76% which is below the recommended purity standard of 95%. However, the seeds met the minimum germination standard of 80% although 12% of the seeds were discolored and shriveled. Seed samples from farmers participating in up-scaling technologies had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower contamination with <i>Pseudomonas savastanoi</i> p.v. <i>phaseolicola</i> at 747 CFU/seed compared to 1241 CFU/seed for samples from non-participating farmers. <i>Fusarium solani</i> was the most common fungal pathogen contaminating almost all the seed samples. However, there were no significant differences in the level of seed infection with fungal pathogens. The results indicated that recycling of bean seeds from previous cropping seasons contributes to reduced physical, physiological and health quality of the seeds. This has a direct effect in terms of reduced crop establishment, high incidence of diseases and low productivity in the subsequent season. Therefore, there is need to create awareness among farmers on good agronomic practices and on use of disease-free seeds.&picture=http://www.aascit.org/aascit/decorators/img/journal/892.jpg)
| [1] | Pacifica Bosibori Ochichi, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya. |
| [2] | James Wanjohi Muthomi, Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya. |
| [3] | John Maina Wagacha, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya. |
Farmers often recycle farm saved bean seeds from previous harvest for planting in subsequent cropping seasons resulting in reduced quality and buildup of seed borne diseases. This study investigated the quality of bean seeds in western Kenya. Bean seeds saved by farmers for planting were collected from 110 farmers. The seed samples were subjected to quality analysis including physical purity, germination and contamination with seed borne pathogens. The bean seeds collected comprised of 13 different varieties with Rose coco (23%) and KK8 (22%) being the most popular. The purity of seeds was about 76% which is below the recommended purity standard of 95%. However, the seeds met the minimum germination standard of 80% although 12% of the seeds were discolored and shriveled. Seed samples from farmers participating in up-scaling technologies had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower contamination with Pseudomonas savastanoi p.v. phaseolicola at 747 CFU/seed compared to 1241 CFU/seed for samples from non-participating farmers. Fusarium solani was the most common fungal pathogen contaminating almost all the seed samples. However, there were no significant differences in the level of seed infection with fungal pathogens. The results indicated that recycling of bean seeds from previous cropping seasons contributes to reduced physical, physiological and health quality of the seeds. This has a direct effect in terms of reduced crop establishment, high incidence of diseases and low productivity in the subsequent season. Therefore, there is need to create awareness among farmers on good agronomic practices and on use of disease-free seeds.
Keywords
Farm Saved Seed, Phaseolus vulgaris, Seed Quality, Seed Borne Diseases
Reference
| [01] | Wagara, I. N. and Kimani P. M. 2007. Resistance of nutrient rich bean varieties to major constraints in Kenya, African Crop Science Conference Proceedings 8: 2057-2090. |
| [02] | Gicharu, G. K., Gitonga N. M., Boga H., Cheruiyot R. C. and Maingi J. M. 2013. Effects of inoculating selected climbing bean cultivars with different rhizobia strains on nitrogen fixation, Online International Journal of Microbiology Research 1 (2): 25-31. |
| [03] | Ojiem, J. O., de Ridder, N., Vanlauwe, B. and Giller, K. E. 2006. Socio-ecological niche: A conceptual framework for integration of legumes in smallholder farming systems, International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 4 (1): 79-93. |
| [04] | Mwang’ombe, A. W., Wagara T. N., Kimenju J. W. and Buruchara R. A. 2007. Occurrence and severity of Angular leaf spot of common bean in Kenya as influenced by geographical location, altitude and agroecological zones, Plant Pathology Journal 3: 235-241. |
| [05] | Mhango, W. G., Snapp, S. S., and Phiri G. Y. K. 2013. Opportunities and constraints to legume diversification for sustainable maize production on smallholder farms in Malawi, Renewable Agriculture and Food systems, 28: 234-244. |
| [06] | Katungi, E., Farrow A, Chianu J., Sperling L. and Beebe S. 2009. Common bean in Eastern and Southern Africa. A situation and outlook analysis, CIAT, Cali, Colombia. |
| [07] | Tsubo, M., Mukhala E., Ogindo H. O. and Walker S. 2003. Productivity of maize-bean intercropping in a semi-arid region of South Africa, Water SA, 29: 381–388. |
| [08] | Mwaniki, A. W. 2002. Assessments of bean production constraint and seed quality and health of improved common bean seeds. M. Sc. Thesis, University of Nairobi, 133 pp. |
| [09] | Korir, M. K., Odhiambo M. O., Iruri D. M., Kipsat M. J. and Serem A. K. 2005. Bean Varietal preference in East African markets and its implications to breeding. African Crop Science Conference proceedings, 7: 803-805. |
| [10] | Spilsbury, J., Kagwe J. and Wanda K. 2004. Evaluating the marketing opportunities for beans and its products in the principle beans growing countries of ASARECA, IITA –Foodnet, pp. 12-14. |
| [11] | Opole, R. A., Mathenge P. W., Auma E. O., Van Rheenen H. A. and Almekinder C. J. 2003. On-farm seed production practices of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). African Crop Science Conference Proceedings 6: 722-725. |
| [12] | Icishahayo, D., Sibiya J., Dimbi S., Madakadze I., Manyangarrwa and Chipindu B. 2009. Assessment of quality and health of field bean seeds home saved by smallholder farmers, Africa Crop Science Journal, 9: 609- 615. |
| [13] | Makelo M. N. 2010. Assessment of seed-borne pathogens for some important crops in western Kenya. 12th KARI scientific conference proceedings, 8-12th Nov., doc 747. Nairobi, Kenya. |
| [14] | Katungi, E., Farrow A., Mutuoki T., Gebeyehu S., Karanja D., Alemayehu F., Sperling L., Beebe S., Rubyogo J. and Buruchara R. 2010. Improving common bean productivity: An analysis social-economic factors in Ethiopia and Eastern Kenya, baseline report, Tropical legume II, CIAT, Cali, Columbia. |
| [15] | Maredia, M., Howard J., Boughton D., Naseen A., Wanzala M. and Kajisa K. 1999. Increasing seed system efficiency in Africa: Concepts, strategies and issues. Michigan State University International Development Working Paper, Department of Agricultural Economics- MSU East Lansing Michigan. |
| [16] | Scott, J., Kambewa R., Chirwa R and Aggarwal V. 2003. Local seed systems for beans in Malawi. Network on bean research in Africa, Occasional Publication Series No. 40. CIAT, Kampala, Uganda. |
| [17] | Karavina, C., Tigere T. A. and Chihiya J. 2008. The contribution of soil and crop debris inocula to the outbreak of bacterial common blight in field beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under Zimbabwean conditions, Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 10 (3): 221-233. |
| [18] | Buruchara R. A. 1990. Preliminary information on seed borne fungi of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Kenya. In Proceedings of the second workshop on bean research in East Africa. CIAT Africa workshop series No. 7, Nairobi, Kenya. Pp. 257-269. |
| [19] | Rubyogo, J. C., Sperling L. and Assefa T. 2007. A new Approach for facilitating farmers’ access to bean seed, LEISA Magazine, 23 (2): 27-29. |
| [20] | Giller K. E., P. Tittonell, M. C. Rufino, M. T. van Wijk, S. Zingore, P. Mapfumo, S. Adjei-Nsiah, M. Herrero, R. Chikowo, M. Corbeels, E. C. Rowe, F. Baijukya, A. Mwijage, J. Smith, E. Yeboah, W. J. van der Burg, O. M. Sanogo, M. Misiko, N. de Ridder, S. Karanja, C. Kaizzi, J. K’ungu, M. Mwale, D. Nwaga, C. Pacini, B. Vanlauwe. 2011. Communicating complexity: Integrated assessment of trade-offs concerning soil fertility management within African farming systems to support innovation and development, Agricultural Systems, 104: 191-203. |
| [21] | Mangeni, B. C., Abang M. M., Awale H., Omuse C. N., Leitich R., Arinaitwe W., Mukoye B., Kelly J. D. and Were H. K. 2014. Distribution and pathogenic characterization of bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV) in western Kenya. Journal of Agri-Food and Applied Sciences, 2 (10): 308-316. |
| [22] | Mukoye, B., Mangeni B. C., Leitich R. K., Wosula D. W., Omayio D. O., Nyamwamu P. A., Arinaitwe W., Winter S., Abang M. M. and Were H. K. 2015. First report and biological characterization of cowpea mild mottle virus (CPMMV) infecting groundnuts in western Kenya. Journal of Agri-Food and Applied Sciences, 3 (1): 1-5. |
| [23] | Jaetzold, R., Schmidt H., Hornetz B. and Shisanya C. 2006. Natural Conditions and Farm Management Information, 2nd Edition, Farm Management Handbook of Kenya Vol. II Nairobi, Kenya. |
| [24] | International Seed Testing Association (ISTA). 2010. International Rules for Seed Testing, Edition 2010/1,, Seed Science and Technology, International Seed Testing Association, Basserdorf, Switzerland. |
| [25] | International Seed Testing Association (ISTA). 2007. International Rules for Seed Testing. Seed Science and Technology, International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland, Version 1.0. |
| [26] | Remeeus, P. M. and Sheppard J. W. 2006. Proposal for a new method for detecting Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli on beans seeds. ISTA method validation reports supplementary, 3: 1-11. |
| [27] | Falleiro, B. A. S., Almeida P. B. A., Coutinho W. M., Suassuna N. D. and Leimi K. L. 2010. Use of osmotic solutions for inhibition of sunflower seed germination in blotter test, Tropical Plant Pathology 35 (6): 343-350. |
| [28] | Bhale, M. S., Khare D., Raut N. D. and Singh D. 2001. Seed borne diseases objectionable in seed production and their management. pp. 2-182. Scientific Publishers, India, Jodhpur. |
| [29] | Gomez, K. A. and Gomez A. A. 1984. Statistical procedures for agricultural research, Second edition. International Rice Research Institute. John Wile and Sons Inc., pp. 304-308. |
| [30] | International Seed Testing Association (ISTA). 1999. International Rules for Seed Testing. Seed Science and Technology, International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland, 27: 155-199. |
| [31] | Oshone, K., Gebeyehu S. and Tesfaye K. 2014. Assessment of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed quality produced under different cropping systems by smallholder farmers in Eastern Ethiopia, African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development 14 (1): 8566-8584. |
| [32] | Allen, D. J., Buruchara R. A. and Smithson J. B. 1998. Diseases of common bean. In: Allen, D. J., J. M. Lenne´ (eds), The Pathology of Food and Pasture Legumes. pp. 179–235. CABI, Wallingford, UK. |
| [33] | Broughton, W. J., Hern´andez G., Blair M., Beebe S., Gepts P. and Vanderleyden J. 2003. Beans (Phaseolus spp.) - model food legumes, Plant and Soil 252, 55–128. |
| [34] | Gichangi, A., Maobe S. N., Karanja D., Getabu A., Macharia C. N., Ogecha J. O., Nyang`au M. K., Basweti E. and Kitonga L. 2012. Assessment of production and marketing of climbing beans by smallholders farmers in Nyanza region, Kenya, World Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 8 (3): 293-302. |
| [35] | Saettler, A. W.: Common bacterial blight in Schwartz and Pastor-Corales M. P. (eds). 1989. Bean production problems in the tropics, CIAT, Cali, Colombia, pp. 29-32. |
| [36] | Gilbertson, R. L. and Maxwell D. P. 1992. Common bacterial blight of bean. In: Chaube HS, Kumar J, Mukhopadhyay AN, Singh US, editors. Plant diseases of international importance,, Vol: 2 pp. 18-39. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. |
| [37] | Narayan, M. G. and Ayodhya D. K. 2013. Study of seed borne fungi of different legumes. Trends in life sciences 2 (1): 32-35. |
