Agronomic assessment of snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in a warm-temperate semi-arid environment

Abstract

SUMMARYThe production of green beans was studied in sowings made from December to February, September to February, and from October to February in three seasons, and over six oonsecutive seasons for a mid-season sowing.With September-October sowing the rate of emergence was slow, and establishment sometimes poor. Possible virus disease, and the lack of continuity of setting pods resulting from cool weather, were problems. Good yields were obtained from midseason sowings (31 October-18 December), up to 19·6 t/ha, with good yields for late sowings up to 13·9 t/ha in ^he first three seasons. In another three seasons mid-season sowings (late November-early December) resulted in poor yield due to periods of hot weather (> 35 °C max.) prior to and during flowering.There was a relationship between quality and yield. The greatest yield and best quality green pods were obtained when conditions favoured rapid growth and rapid setting of pods, and when there was a high rate of pod maturation.For yield of dry seed the early sowings were best, 3·6 and 2·8 t/ha in two seasons. A total of 460 mm of water was required for the first six sowings, but fell to 360 mm for the mid-February sowing (rainfall plus irrigation).Although it was possible to grow beans over a 9-month period the January and early February sowings appeared to be the least risk prone with the present cultivars.