Fertilizer and Plant Density Effects on Yield Performance and Leaf Nutrient Concentration of Bush Snap Beans

Abstract

There were no significant fertilizer x plant-density interactions affecting yields or leaf nutrient concentrations of snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in 5 field experiments. Higher rates of fertilizer application produced significantly higher yields of pods than did lower rates in 2 experiments. At higher plant densities (15.2- to 30.5-cm rows, 43 to 65 plants/m2) yields were 20% to 38% higher than at lower plant densities (91.4-cm rows, 22 to 29 plants/m2). Average yield increase at higher densities was 29%. Crop economic values followed similar trends. At higher plant densities, average N, K, Ca, and Mg concentrations in leaves at early bloom were lower than at lower densities. Higher fertilizer rates tended to increase N concentration in leaves but had no consistent effects on P, K, Ca, and Mg.