The effect of density of planting on the growth of two Phaseolus vulgaris varieties in England

Abstract

The growth and development of two varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris (Purley King and Limelight) were compared in two experiments in 1973 and 1974 at a range of planting density from 20 to 100 seeds/m 2 . Within this range, the relationship between seed yield and density in Purley King was asymptotic, although there was a suggestion that if even higher densities had been tested, a downward trend in yield might have occurred. The optimum density of planting for Purley King in Expt 1 was 50 seeds/m 2 while that for Limelight was 40 seeds/m 2 . The corresponding densities in Expt 2 were 75 and 50 seeds/m 2 respectively. Although number of branches per plant generally decreased with increasing density, there was no significant density effect on the number of nodes per plant. Thus stabilization of seed yield occurred even at quite low densities. Although in the low-density treatments, less vegetative tissue was produced, the peak of dry-matter yield occurred later after flowering and the slower subsequent senescence ensured the presence of active photosynthetic tissue throughout the pod-fill stage. Less pod retention occurred at high density which, combined with the ability of widely spaced plants to produce pods over a longer period, resulted in a similar number of pods per unit area over a wide range of density.Although the variety Purley King produced more than double the number of mature pods from its extra nodes and branches, it was outyielded by Limelight by 35 % from the combined effect of more seeds per pod and a higher mean seed weight. Limelight also produced this high yield with less vegetative tissue. In both varieties it appeared that pod photosynthesis could take place, in Purley King because the pods were borne on higher nodes above the canopy and in Limelight due to the earlier senescence of its smaller leaf area. However, in spite of the apparent physiological advantages of Limelight, the pods are not borne high enough on this plant to enable satisfactory mechanical harvesting.

Effect of shelter, irrigation, and plant population on yield and yield components of navy beans (Phaseolus vulgarisL.)

“…Higher bean plant populations may cause taller plants (Lucas & Milbourn 1976). At the highest plant populations in 1984/85, height oflowest point on the pod was twice that at the lowest population.…”

“…While seed should be at about 15% moisture for good storage, it can be harvested mechanically at up to 20% moisture. Overseas work has also found problems with delayed maturity (Lucas & Milbourn 1976).…”

“…Lucas & Milbourn (1976) observed that navy bean plants at high populations were taller than plants at lower populations. Additionally Goulden (1976) found that seed yield of Sanilac navy beans at 104 plants/m 2 and 20 em row spacing was 57% higher than the yield at the lowest population of 25 plants/m 2 at 40 em row spacing.…”

“…However, cost of establishment would be higher as well as a result of high seed cost. There is a clear indication that further study of population is needed as overseas work has shown seed yield to have an asymptotic relationship with population (Lucas & Milbourn 1976).…”

Propagação in vitro de Limonium latifolium Kuntze (Plumbaginaceae)

“…O incremento à população de plantas aumenta também o índice de área foliar do feijão. Porém, nessas condições, observa-se um declínio mais acentuado devido à antecipação da senescência das folhas (LUCAS & MILBOURN, 1976). Para STONE & PEREIRA (1994), quando se reduz a população, as plantas do feijão apresentam, individualmente, valores mais elevados de área foliar.…”