Black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production in Haiti is hindered by poor soil and agronomic management, improper balance of soil nutrients, and limited fertilizer applications. Phosphorus (P) is a major limitation for black bean production in both lowland and upland areas of Haiti. P plays a crucial role in plant reproduction and grain production, and its deficiency can impact plant growth and enhance micronutrient deficiencies, affecting physiological maturity.
Haiti’s agricultural system is based on small-scale farming, with approximately 0.54 ha per capita. This has left farmers without the financial capacity to invest in agricultural research to address soil fertility. The country is dominated by calcareous soils, where high pH leads to nutrient deficiencies, especially phosphorus. Soil degradation and soil loss are further exacerbated by Haiti’s topography, with upland areas representing 63% of the country’s land surface with a slope greater than 20%.
Phosphorus is the second most important essential nutrient for sustainable agricultural production in the world. When soil does not have enough P available, it impacts plant growth and enhances micronutrient deficiencies, which will affect the physiological maturity. In a recent study on 1,047 soil samples collected from five different areas in Haiti, researchers determined that approximately 74% of soils were insufficient in P based on the Mehlich-3 (M-3) extraction method.
A pot study was conducted in two different soils (Cabaret, alkaline and Kenscoff, acidic) in Haiti to evaluate black bean growth and yield. The study used a completely randomized block design with four replications and four P rates (0, 44, 55, and 66 kg/ha). Black bean in the alkaline soil achieved its highest yield when 55 kg/ha of P was applied, and the acidic soil reached its optimum yield with the application of 44 kg/ha. High amounts of fertilizer are needed to meet the crop requirements, particularly when soil test P is low.
The study found that the application of P at 55 kg/ha resulted in the highest yield of black bean in the alkaline soil, while the application of P at 44 kg/ha resulted in the highest yield in the acidic soil. The study also found that the application of P at 66 kg/ha resulted in a significant increase in yield compared to the control treatment. The results of this study contribute to the first step in optimizing black bean production through better interpretation and nutrient recommendation of soil tests for Haitian soils.
The study used a range of P rates to evaluate the effects of P management on black bean growth and yield. The results of this study can be used to develop fertilizer recommendations for black bean production in Haiti. The study also highlights the importance of P management in improving black bean production in Haiti. The results of this study can be used to inform agricultural extension agents and farmers in Haiti about the importance of P management in improving black bean production.
The study used a completely randomized block design with four replications and four P rates (0, 44, 55, and 66 kg/ha). The study found that the application of P at 55 kg/ha resulted in the highest yield of black bean in the alkaline soil, while the application of P at 44 kg/ha resulted in the highest yield in the acidic soil. The study also found that the application of P at 66 kg/ha resulted in a significant increase in yield compared to the control treatment.