Effect of combined foliar application of humuson and D.I Grow on the growth performance of soybeans under Sub humid conditions in Zimbabwe
- Author
- Tambe, Shalom
- Title
- Effect of combined foliar application of humuson and D.I Grow on the growth performance of soybeans under Sub humid conditions in Zimbabwe
- Abstract
- Soybean (Glycine max) is a vital legume crop valued for its high protein content and economic significance. However, in Zimbabwe, smallholder farmers face challenges in accessing and affording recommended rates of inorganic fertilizers, leading to sub-optimal soybean yields. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of combined foliar application of Humuson and DI Grow on selected growth parameters of soybean under sub-humid conditions. The experiment was carried out at New Retreat Farm in Beatrice, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six treatments replicated three times. Treatments included various combinations of Humuson and DI Grow, along with positive (100% Humuson and 100% DI Grow) and negative (no fertilizer) controls. Foliar applications were conducted at the V4 (vegetative) and R1 (flowering) stages. Data on plant height, leaf area index, and number of leaves were collected 30 days after crop emergence from five randomly selected plants per plot. Results from the analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences (p<0.05) among treatments for all measured parameters. Treatments combining Humuson and DI Grow, particularly T1 (50% Humuson + 50% DI Grow) and T2 (75% Humuson + 25% DI Grow), demonstrated superior performance in promoting plant growth compared to the control and single-product applications. The findings suggest that the combined foliar application of Humuson and DI Grow enhances soybean vegetative growth and offers a viable, cost-effective alternative to conventional fertilizers for smallholder farmers. This practice could contribute to improved yields, income generation, and food security in Zimbabwe.
- Date
- June 2025
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Soybean
- Smallholder farmers
- Inorganic fertilizers
- Supervisor
- Mr. J. Chitamba
- Item sets
- Department of Crop Sciences
- Media
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Tambe - Crop.pdf