Green beans (Phaseolus vulgariscv. Gallatin 50): Effects of plant population density on yield and quality

Abstract

Abstract The yield and quality of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Gallatin 50) was determined after sowing the crop at 150, 300, 380, and 450 mm between-row distances and within-row distances of 70 or 140 mm. Total pod yield and the yield of processable pods ( > 50 mm in length) showed significant quadratic responses to increasing plant population density. A plant population density > 40 plants m-2 produced a total pod yield in excess of 3.0 kg m-2. Plant population density was a more important determinant of yield than planting arrangement. There was no significant difference in pod size distribution between treatments, with at least 92.5% of total fresh weight being processable pods. Similarly, the distance between the soil and the first pod was not influenced by plant population. Pod colour, as determined by chlorophyll measurements, was not affected by population density but some pod bleaching occurred at all but the 150 mm between-row treatments.