Studies on yield and yield component responses of Mucuna flagellipes to lime and phosphorus applications under field culture in a tropical ultisol.

Mucuna flagellipes was subjected to field scale culture over 1999 and 2000 growth seasons. Yield and yield component responses were evaluated using 4 x 3 factorial treatment combinations of phosphorus at 0, 20, 40, and 60kg P ha -1 and lime at 0, 1 and 2 t CaCO3 ha -1 . The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design and there were three replications. Liming and P-fertiliser, whether individually or in combination, significantly shortened the period to anthesis and to pod-set, increased the number of inflorescences, flowers and pods produced, and consequently increased seed yield. Percentage pod-set was improved by lime or P treatment but was still considered low at 43-45% on average. Combined application of 2 t ha-1 of CaCO3 and 40kg P ha -1 proved most satisfactory for use. Agro-Science Vol. 7 (1) 2008: pp. 58-65