Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important cash crop and protein source for farmers in many parts of Ethiopia. However, its production is limited by phosphorus fertilizer. Therefore, field experiment was conducted at the Arba Minch farm field the main rain season of 2011 to investigate the responses of common bean to different levels of phosphorus fertilizer and its effect on growth, dry matter yield and yield component of the crop. Five phosphorus rates (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40kg ha -1 ) were used as treatments. Red Wolaita common bean variety was used as planting material. Recommended rate of N (60 kg/ha) was applied to all treatments. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The effect of phosphorus was significantly increased dry matter yield, yield components and growth parameters such as leaf area and number of branches per plant, whereas its effect was not significant on plant height. Based on result obtained, application of 20P kgha -1 is recommended for better production of common bean at Arba Minch and similar areas which have the same soil property.

Bean anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Sacc. & Magn.) is one of the most important seed borne disease of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the world. The disease is prevalent in areas that experience cool and wet weather conditions, causing up to 100% yield loss. Besides infecting Phaseolus vulgaris, Colletotrichum lindemuthianum also attacks other legumes like mung bean (P. aureus), cowpea (Vigna sinensis), and broad bean (Vicia faba). The disease causes symptoms to appear on leaves, stems, pods and seeds. The pathogen can survive in seeds for up to five years, and is also known to overwinter in crop debris. Seed infection is the primary means by which the pathogen spreads. Therefore, the production and the use of certified seeds is one control measure that is effective in dealing with the disease. Fungicidal seed treatment and foliar application as well as cultural and biological methods are very important for bean anthracnose management. Further information on biology and survival of C. lindemuthianum is needed to devise more effective management strategies. In this review attention were given to the biology and management options, with an emphasis on the future research priorities.

Common bean production (Phaseolus vulgaris) is severely infested by weeds inEthiopia. Field experiments were conducted in 2012 and 2013 at Ambo University, Ethiopia, to determine the effect of pre-emergence herbicide s-metalachlor on weed dynamics and yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in completely randomized block design with three replications. The field experiments were comprised of 5 treatments including s-metolachlor (dual gold) 1.00, 1.50 and 2.00 kg ha -1 , weed free and weedy check were used. The common bean in both years were infested with Amarathus hybridus L., Datura stramorium, Erucastrum arabicum Fisch and May, Galinsoga parviflora cav., Ipomea ariocarpa, Nicandra spps, Oxalis corniculate L., Oxalis latifolia L. and Polygonum nepalense Meisn. Among the treatments, hand weeding standard check and s-metolachlor at 2.00 kg ha -1 significantly reduced density and dry weight of weeds during 2012 and 2013 years. Moreover, hand weeding and s-metolachlor at 2.00 kg ha -1 significantly increased the plant height, number of pods per plant, and seeds per pod as compared to other treatments. The highest grain yield was recorded on hand weeding plot followed by s-metolachlor at the rate of 2.00 kgha -1 . However, no significant difference was observed between them, whereas, the lowest grain yield was recorded on untreated plot (weedy check). Weed infestation resulted in a caused-a-yield reduction of 72.5% and 63.5% in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Preemergence application of s -metolachlor at the rate of 2 kg ha -1 was found to be more effective in controlling weeds and increased the c yield in common bean.

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