Drought and phosphorus deficiency in the soil are the major production limitations of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Sub-Saharan Africa.This study measured the yield responses of low phosphorus-tolerant common beans to drought stress.A field experiment was conducted under two drought conditions codenamed, non-drought-stress (NDS) and drought-stress (DS).The former was located at Mukono Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MUZARDI) in Mukono District, characterised by rainfall of more than 400 mm season−1.
The latter was situated at Wabinyonyi in Nakasongola District, characterised by less than 300 mm season−1; Delta Vape both in central Uganda.Treatments included the two study conditions (NDS and DS); and four test bean genotypes, AFR703-1, AFR 708, JESCA, and MCM 2001, against a local check, K131.A water deficit of 156 mm season−1 was observed in the DS site causing a drought intensity index (DII) of 40%.That pattern contrasted Llantrisant considerably in the NDS site where the actual rainfall did not significantly (p > 0.05) vary from the required water by the bean plant.
Whereas genotypes AFR703-1 and AFR708 out-yielded the local check in NDS by 213 and 681 kg ha−1, respectively; their grain yield harvested was comparable to the control yield in DS.When grown under DS, low P-tolerant beans, especially the AFR703-1 and AFR708, survived drought stress through faster development by reducing the number of days to flower, reach physiological maturity and develop seeds.AFR703-1 and AFR708 sufficiently withstand drought stress, and are therefore recommended for inclusion in cropping systems that are characteristically constrained by the combined soils’ P deficiency and/or drought.