Effect of Plant Density on Flowering Date, Yield and Quality Attribute of Bush Beans (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) under Center Pivot Irrigation System

Abstract

This research evaluates six different planting densities (10∗30, 20∗30, 30∗30, 40∗30, 50∗30, 60∗30) of bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.), Bronco variety and their impacts on yield, earliness and quality attributes using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) under central pivot irrigation system in the southern part of Jordan during 2007 growing season. Although, the highest planting density (10∗30 cm) gave the highest percent of early yield (93%) in comparison to the total yield it was among the lowest yielding ability and tended to give pods with lower N,P,K and protein contents. The highest yields were obtained by 20∗30 and 30∗30 cm planting densities with 73 and 71% respectively of early yield related to the total yield. Stem diameter, pod dry weight as well as protein and mineral contents tended to be higher under the lower planting densities. The issue of this research seems to give clear perspectives to obtain high early yield with good enough quality under 20∗30 cm bush bean under central pivot irrigation system in the desert of southern part of Jordan.