Yield and Fiscal Benefits of Rhizobium Inoculation Supplemented with Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) in Climbing Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Grown in Northern Tanzania

George W. Mmbaga, Kelvin M. Mtei, Patrick A. Ndakidemi

School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania.

DOI: 10.4236/as.2015.68076                

Abstract

Both field and green house experiments were intended to investigate and evaluate the outcome of rhizobial inoculation supplemented with P and K on climbing beans production in northern Tanzania. The results obtained indicated that, inoculation using Rhizobium inoculants supplemented with fertilizers significantly (p ≤ 0.001) improved both vegetative and yield parameters of climbing beans varieties compared with control treatment. The economic analysis in rhizobium alone revealed a profit of US$ 2350 compared with control treatment with US$ 1558 profit, which was finally reflected in higher percentage increase over control and higher marginal rate of return (MRR). Thus, the use of Rhizobium inoculants supplemented with P and K increased climbing beans yield and the economic analysis performed based on total revenue and variable costs reflected an improvement in economic well being of a small hold farmer of northern Tanzania.

Keywords

Variable Cost, Total Revenue, Biological Nitrogen Fixation, Nodulation, Marginal Rate of Return (MRR) and Marginal Net Return (MNR)

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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