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MIP — Agronomy Research Programme

Current Research Projects

🌿 5 active projects
📍 Ambohitrony · Mangamila · Ambohidray · Tsarasaotra · Ambalamahasoa
🌿 Bean · Leek · Courgette · Carrot
PROJECT TABS
1

Green Bean — Planting Density

01
Phaseolus vulgaris

Comparative evaluation of different planting densities on the productivity and agronomic performance of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

General ObjectiveDetermine the optimal planting density for green bean that improves yield, pod quality and space-use efficiency under local conditions.

Specific Objectives

SO 1

Compare the effect of different planting distances on vegetative growth (height, leaf count, stem diameter, biomass).

SO 2

Evaluate the impact of densities on yield components (pods per plant, pod weight, total yield).

SO 3

Analyse the influence of density on plant health status and inter-plant competition.

Treatments

T1 — Control
  • Farmers’ current practice
  • Reference for comparison
T2 — Moderate Density 1
  • 20 cm between plants × 40 cm between rows
  • Relatively high density
T3 — Moderate Density 2
  • 5 cm between plants × 50 cm between rows
  • Intermediate density
T4 — Low Density
  • 30 cm between plants × 60 cm between rows
  • More widely spaced plants

Experimental Design

  • Completely Randomised Blocks (CRB)
  • 4 treatments × 4 blocks = 16 plots
  • Plot size: 4 m² (2 m × 2 m)
  • Alleyways between plots: 1 m
  • Direct sowing, depth 3–4 cm
  • Identical fertilisation and management for all treatments

Experimental Calendar

D−30D0D+7 to D+10D+15 to D+45D+45 to D+75D+60 to D+75
Soil preparation
Tillage 15–20 cm, manure (10 t/ha), levelling		 Sowing
Set spacings, simultaneous sowing		 Emergence
Check germination, replace missing plants		 Vegetative growth
Weekly observations		 Flowering & fruiting
Yield and health monitoring		 Harvest
According to maturity

Parameters to Monitor

A. Vegetative Growth (D+21, D+35, D+50)
  • Plant height (cm)
  • Number of leaves per plant
  • Stem diameter at collar (mm)
  • Aerial biomass (fresh and dry)
B. Yield Components (harvest)
  • Number of pods per plant
  • Average pod length (cm)
  • Average pod weight (g)
  • Yield per plot (kg)
  • Extrapolated yield (kg/ha)
C. Phytosanitary Parameters
  • Disease incidence (%)
  • Disease severity (scale 0–5)
  • Pest presence
  • Plant mortality rate (%)
2

Leek — Leaf Desiccation

02
Allium porrum

Comparative evaluation of three limiting factors (water, nutritional, phytosanitary) responsible for leaf desiccation in leek — Ambalamahasoa, Mahazina rural commune, Amoron’ny Mania

General ObjectiveIdentify and rank the main causes of leaf desiccation observed on leek crops in the Amoron’ny Mania region and propose improved technical pathways adapted to the local context.

Specific Objectives

SO 1

Evaluate the effect of optimised water management on reducing desiccation and improving yield compared to current practices.

SO 2

Determine the impact of balanced organic fertilisation on leaf desiccation incidence and agronomic performance.

SO 3

Evaluate the effectiveness of biological plant protection (B-NIMO) against pests and diseases responsible for desiccation.

Treatments

T1 — Control (Farmer Practice)
  • Irrigation as per local habits
  • Usual fertilisation
  • No phytosanitary protection
T2 — Optimised Water Management
  • Rational irrigation (70–80% field capacity)
  • Irrigation 3 times/week
  • Test the effect of water stress
T3 — Balanced Fertilisation
  • Well-decomposed cattle manure
  • Dose: 24 t/ha (2.4 kg/m² → 10 kg/4 m²)
  • Test for nutritional deficiencies
T4 — Phytosanitary Protection
  • Foliar B-NIMO application
  • Treatment: 6h–9h or 16h–18h
  • No treatment during rain

Experimental Design

  • Completely Randomised Blocks (CRB)
  • 4 treatments × 4 blocks = 16 plots
  • Plot size: 4 m² (2 m × 2 m)
  • Alleyways between plots: 1 m
  • Row spacing: 25 cm (8 rows)
  • In-row spacing: 15 cm (20 plants/row)
  • Total per plot: 160 plants

Experimental Calendar

Before plantingD015 days after plantingDuring the cropWeekly
Soil preparation 1st fertiliser fraction for T2 Start of phytosanitary treatments T3 Irrigation and fertilisation monitoring by treatment Symptom scoring on all treatments

Parameters to Monitor

Weekly Monitoring
  • % plants with leaf desiccation
  • Average number of desiccated leaves/plant
  • Desiccation intensity (scale 0–5)
  • Average plant height
  • Overall vigour
At Harvest — Stem
  • White stem length (target >15–20 cm)
  • Stem diameter (target 2–4 cm)
  • Average stem weight (g)
  • Total yield (kg/plot or t/ha)
Final Evaluation
  • Comparison of treatments by ANOVA
  • % reduction in desiccation vs control
  • Cost-benefit analysis per treatment
3

Bean — Cropping Practices (Rainy Season)

03
MIP Sites

Evaluation of integrated cropping practices to improve bean production in the rainy season — Ambohitrony Andriampamaky, Mangamila, Ambohidray, Tsarasaotra

General ObjectiveImprove bean productivity in the rainy season by testing practices adapted to water management and disease prevention.

Specific Objectives

SO 1

Evaluate the effect of raised-bed drainage on yield.

SO 2

Evaluate the effectiveness of different fertiliser applications on growth and yield.

SO 3

Identify practices that reduce disease incidence.

Treatments

T1 — Control (Farmer Practice)
  • Flat sowing
  • No fertiliser
T2 — Raised Bed Only
  • 20 cm raised bed
  • No fertiliser
T3 — Manure Only
  • Flat sowing
  • + Manure (100 g/pocket)
T4 — Raised Bed + Manure
  • Raised bed + manure (100 g/pocket)
  • Combination treatment

Experimental Design

  • Complete randomised blocks — 4 treatments × 4 replicates = 16 plots
  • Plot size: 2 m × 3 m = 6 m²
  • Alleyways: 1 m between plots, 1 m between blocks
  • Variety: CLA 98 (Vangamena)
  • Spacing: 50 cm between rows, 20 cm between pockets
  • Density: 2–3 seeds per pocket
  • Manure: 100 g/pocket, depth 10–15 cm
  • Irrigation: 2–3 L/m² every 2–3 days if necessary

Experimental Calendar

Before plantingD015 days after sowingD+21–25WeeklyD+35–40Flowering
Clearing, block marking, soil analysis, raised bed installation T2/T4, manure application Simultaneous sowing all plots Emergence countWeeding and hoeing Disease and pest scoringPlant height measurementFlower count

Parameters to Monitor

Vegetative Growth
  • Emergence rate (%) at 15 days after sowing
  • Plant height (cm) at 35 days and at flowering
Phytosanitary Parameters
  • Diseases: anthracnose, rust, mosaic
  • Pests: aphid, bean weevil, caterpillar
  • Incidence (% diseased plants)
  • Severity (scale 0–4)
Yield
  • Pods per plant (10 plants)
  • Seeds per pod (20 pods)
  • 100-seed weight (g)
  • Grain yield (kg/ha)
Economic Parameters
  • Input costs
  • Gross revenue
  • Net margin
  • Benefit/cost ratio
  • Break-even threshold
Key Points to Watch
  • Check raised-bed effectiveness after heavy rains; note waterlogging areas
  • Use healthy seeds; avoid excess moisture
  • If pest attack occurs: note and photograph symptoms
  • Involve local farmers from the outset; organise weekly field visits
  • Collect local observations and indigenous knowledge
Disease Severity Scale (0–4)
0
No symptoms
1
Mild (<25%)
2
Moderate (25–50%)
3
Severe (50–75%)
4
Very severe (>75%)
4

Courgette — Rice Straw Mulching Depth

04
Study area: Ambohitrony

Determine the optimal depth of organic rice straw mulch on courgette under local pedoclimatic conditions — triple benefit: irrigation, temperature, weed control

General ObjectiveEvaluate the effect of different rice straw mulching depths on soil moisture conservation and courgette growth.

Specific Objectives

SO 1

Analyse the influence of treatments on vegetative growth and fruit yield.

SO 2

Determine the optimal mulching depth for soil moisture conservation.

SO 3

Evaluate the effect on weed control.

Treatments

T0 — Control
  • 0 cm — bare soil
  • Universal baseline reference
T1 — 5 cm Mulch
  • Rice straw – 5 cm
  • Ref: Priya L. et al., 2011
T2 — 10 cm Mulch
  • Rice straw – 10 cm
  • Ref: Hélène VEDIE et al., 2020
T3 — 15 cm Mulch
  • Rice straw – 15 cm
  • Not yet scientifically tested

Experimental Design

  • Completely randomised block design
  • Elementary plots: 1.5 m² (1 m × 1.5 m)
  • Plant spacing: 80 cm × 100 cm
  • 4 plants/plot (2 seeds/pocket, depth 2 cm)
  • Alleyways between blocks: 1 m — between plots: 0.5 m
  • Local variety — source: SOC
  • Zebu manure: 3 kg/plot, incorporated 15–20 cm
  • Dry untreated straw, hand-applied after emergence

Experimental Calendar

Wk 1–2D0 (Wk 3)WeedingWk 7–14Wk 10–14Wk 15–16Wk 17–20
Soil preparation Manure incorporation + simultaneous sowing (2 seeds/pocket) Simultaneous all plots (every 2 weeks) Weekly monitoring (growth, moisture, weeds) Successive harvests and weighing Final data collection and dismantling Statistical analysis, report writing

Parameters to Monitor

Measured VariableFrequencyInstrument / Method
Soil moisture (%)2×/weekProbe (3 depths: 0–10, 10–20, 20–30 cm)
Emergence and plant vigourWeeklyVisual observation + scoring
Plant height (cm)WeeklyGraduated ruler
Number of leavesWeeklyManual count
Weed cover rate (%)2×/weekVisual observation + estimation
Number of fruits per plantAt harvestDirect count
Fresh fruit weight (kg)At harvestPrecision scale
5

Carrot — Irrigation Frequencies

05
Daucus carota L.

What is the influence of different irrigation frequencies, with a fixed water dose, on the growth and yield of carrot grown with compost as the sole fertiliser?

General ObjectiveEvaluate the effect of irrigation frequency (fixed dose: 5 L/m²) on the vegetative growth and yield of carrot (Daucus carota L.) grown exclusively with compost.

Specific Objectives

SO 1

Compare three irrigation frequencies (1 day, 2 days, 3 days) on vegetative development (emergence rate, height, leaf count).

SO 2

Evaluate the impact of these frequencies on harvest yield (weight, length, root calibre).

SO 3

Provide accessible technical references applicable by local farmers.

Treatments

T0 — Daily
  • Every day
  • 5 L/m²/irrigation
  • Compost only
T1 — Every 2 Days
  • Every 2 days
  • 5 L/m²/irrigation
  • Compost only
T2 — Every 3 Days
  • Every 3 days
  • 5 L/m²/irrigation
  • Compost only

ℹ Same unit dose (5 L/m²) — total water applied over the period varies according to frequency.

Experimental Design

  • Design: Complete Randomised Block (CRB)
  • 3 treatments × 3 replicates = 9 plots
  • Plot area: 10 m²
  • Total area (excluding alleyways): 90 m²
  • Alleyways between plots: 0.5 m
  • Compost: 10 t/ha (1 kg/m²) — 90 kg total
  • Seeds: 2 g/m², depth 1–2 cm
  • Thinning at 10–15 DAS, 1 plant/5–7 cm

Experimental Calendar

Soil preparationCompost applicationSowingThinningWeeding
Ploughing and harrowing to 20 cm depth Homogeneous incorporation 7 days before sowing Same date, density and depth for all plots Uniformly at 10–15 DAS, 1 plant/5–7 cm Simultaneous every 2 weeks

Parameters to Monitor

ParameterMeasurement MethodPeriodFrequency
Emergence rate (%)Emerged / sown × 10010–15 DASOnce
Plant height (cm)Collar to apex of tallest leafEmergence → harvestWeekly
Number of leavesCount of expanded leavesEmergence → harvestWeekly
Root length (cm)Collar to apex of main rootHarvestOnce
Root diameter (mm)Calliper at mid-lengthHarvestOnce
Fresh root weight (g)Weighing after harvest and cleaningHarvestOnce
Yield (kg/10 m² or t/ha)Total weight of marketable rootsHarvestOnce
Defective root rate (%)Forked, cracked, malformed rootsHarvestOnce
Irrigation Protocol
  • Application at a fixed time (late afternoon to limit evaporation)
  • Graduated watering can: exactly 5 L/m² per application
  • Keep an irrigation log (date, time, volume)
  • If rainfall >5 mm: adjust the irrigation schedule accordingly
  • 12 monitored plants per plot on the central row, border plants excluded
  • Harvest planned at 90 DAS — manual pulling, immediate cleaning and weighing
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