Suitability of different materials and methods of staking climbing beans in Western Kenya

Abstract (not complete though) Climbing beans are increasingly becoming popular among farmers in the highlands of East and Central. However, farmers are repeatedly mentioning lack of staking materials as a constraint to production of climbing beans. Different materials to support climbing beans are available in different forms and at different costs. Moreover, available support materials can be used in different ways, which has influence on the final yields of beans. Available staking materials in Kenya include: i) sticks (of different plants), the choice of which to use depend on the availability and quality. Sticks can be used in different ways: the tripod (three sticks joined together with each stick supporting 1-3 plants (see Figure 1); one stick supporting one, two or more plants, etc (Figure 2). Other materials used to support climbing beans include wires and ropes supported by strong poles (Figure 3), hence referred to as string and pole method. Results of experiments conducted in 2010 short rain season indicated that tripod, one stick per two plant and the string and pole method gave high yield compared to one stick supporting one, three or more plants. The string and pole method is recommended for use KEPHIS (by planting beans at a spacing of 75 cm between rows and 30 cm within rows, 2 plants per hill). The tripod method is preferred because it provides strong support to beans. The one stick per two plants is also preferred by farmer because of easy to apply, weed and any materials can be used. The tripod method if used as recommended (by Paul woomer), end with less plant population per unit area (e.g. 360 plants per 270 m2) compared to 560 plants per 270 m2 when one stake per two plants method is used (at a spacing of 75 cm x 20 cm). The string and pole method as recommended by KEHPIS also appear to have a room for improvement by increasing the plant population per unit area by reducing the spacing between lines with less plant canopy to 50 cm to maximize light capture by the plants. Identification of suitable support materials and best methods of their use is important in recommending the technology to smallholder farmers.