Production of common bean under saturated soil culture

Abstract

Saturated soil culture (SSC), where crops are grown in soil continuously irrigated to maintain a high moisture content, has resulted in large increases in soybean seed yield. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is considered sensitive to flooding and has a shorter growth cycle than soybean. Thus, it was anticipated that an evaluation of response of common bean to SSC might provide an instructive contrast. Four field trials were conducted at Palmira, Colombia to evaluate the response of different bean lines to SSC which resulted in up to 20% yield increase. However, effectiveness of SSC varied with trial and bean line. In a comparison of ten lines previously characterized for adaptation to water deficit, nine lines suggested a strong negative association between relative yields under SSC and yield under water deficit (r = −0.84, P < 0.01) and relative yield under SSC and root length density under water deficit (r = −0.79, P< 0.01). The tenth showed high yields under both SSC and water deficit. Physiological maturity was delayed by SSC, and canopy dry weight increased while seed yield was improved. Effects on harvest index were variable with trial and line. Mean leaf conductance was higher and leaf temperature lower in SSC, suggesting that SSC improves crop water status. Although positive effects on seed yield were detected, response to SSC was less favorable than reported for soybean.