Optimizing French Bean Growth with Organic Manures in Agroforestry and Open Systems

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during the Rabi seasons of 2022–23 and 2023–24 to evaluate the impact of organic manure on the growth performance of French bean cultivated organically within a poplar-based agroforestry system. The study aimed to assess how organic nutrient inputs influence plant development in this integrated land-use approach, emphasizing sustainability and resource efficiency. The trial was carried out in organic experimental block of Forest Nursery and Research Centre (College of Forestry) of Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences Prayagraj. The trial included levels of organic manure nutrient supply treatments. In Both the Shade and Open conditions the treatment T9 (FYM 50 %, Vermicompost 50 %, Poultry Manure 100) recommended dose of through organics produced the highest plant height, Number of branches and Number of leaves. Plant growth parameters such as plant height during shade (36.84 cm) and open (50.24cm). Number of Branches during shade (25.47) and open (26.20). No of Leaves during shade (24.40) and open (25.05) was recorded maximum. Application of recommended dose of FYM 50 %, Vermicompost 50 %, Poultry Manure 100 % recorded higher values for growth parameters like number of leaves, number of branches, and Plant height as compared to the treatment which received recommended dose of control only.