Flooding Influences on Growth and Development of Bush Bean Under Greenhouse Conditions

Abstract

Abstract Crop production in humid climates is often limited by severe thunderstorms that may leave soil flooded or waterlogged for several days. In 2001, a greenhouse study was initiated to determine the tolerance of bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to flooding of various durations and at different growth stages. Plants were subjected to eleven flooding treatments lasting from one to eleven days. Flood treatments were initiated when plants reached either early vegetative growth stage (second true leaf open), early reproductive stage (first flower open on the main stem) or late reproductive stage (green seeds fills 1/2 of the pod cavity). In Study 1 flooding during the early vegetative growth stage for one, two and five days resulted in both the number of pods produced and pod fresh weight being statistically similar to that of the non-flooded control. The remaining flood treatments resulted in pod fresh weights 73% or less than the control weight. The number of surviving plants had more influence on the...