Abstract

Performance of six released bean varieties was assessed under salt-affected soils at Nkhate and Masenjere irrigation schemes in Chikwawa and Nsanje districts, respectively in Malawi. The six varieties, Chimbamba, Napilira, Kalima, BCMV-B1, BCMV-B3 and Maluwa, were grown during the 2014/2015 growing season, employing a randomized complete block design. There were five replicates at each site, arranged in the upper, middle and lower sections which represented three blocks per site. In each replicate, six bean varieties were grown. Concentration of boron in the upper portions (leaves) served as an indicator of salt stress and possible tolerance mechanism to boron and chlorides. Yield was significantly reduced at one site (P<0.001) where salinity was the highest. There was a significant increase in soil and water salinity during the growing period.

Key words: Salinity, salinisation, Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), electrical conductivity.