Improving consistency of yields and quality of large-scale and small-holder bean production in Kenya by precision management of soil, water and pathogens

提供稳定的高质量生鲜农产品供应对肯尼亚的生鲜来说是一个巨大的挑战。种植者。豆类产量从5吨/公顷到50吨/公顷不等，由于灌溉不力和土传疾病，高达40%的产品质量不佳。平均产量增加12%，废物减少20%，第一类产量将增加978吨/年；这将产生额外的320万GB/年，增加粮食安全和改善土壤管理实践。我们将：1)开发灌溉调度工具，以提高作物种植的一致性；2)确定生防剂对土壤病原体和土壤微生物群的影响；3)确定土壤水分供应对土壤病原菌的发病率和严重程度的影响；4)制定综合控制措施，以提高第一类产量、质量和货架期；5)在车间/农场示范推广精准灌溉和生物防治的效益；6)评估产量的社会和经济影响，并实施可持续性改进计划。

Delivering consistent supplies of high quality fresh produce is a significant challenge for Kenya’s freshveg. growers. Yields of beans range from 5 to 50T/ha and up to 40% of produce is of poor quality, due toineffective irrigation and soil-borne diseases. A 12% increase in average yield and a 20% reduction inwaste would raise Class 1 yields by 978T/year; this would generate an extra £3.2M/year, increase foodsecurity and improve soil management practices. We will: 1) Develop irrigation scheduling tools toimprove consistency of cropping; 2) Identify effects of biocontrol agents on soil pathogens and soilmicrobiome 3) Determine effects of soil water availability on incidence and severity soil pathogens andefficacy of biocontrol agents; 4) Develop integrated control measures to improve Class 1 yields, qualityand shelf-life; 5) Promote benefits of precision irrigation and biocontrol at workshops/on-farm demos;6) Assess social and economic impacts of outputs and implement sustainability improvement plans.