Yield components of haricot beans ( <i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> L.) grown at different plant densities

Abstract

Abstract At Lincoln eight haricot bean cultivars were grown at 2 in. and 4 in. spacing in 18 in. rows in 1969‐70. The cultivars Small White Commercial, White Navy, Sanilac, and Seaway were superior in yield and seed size for processing. On average, plots with 2 in. spacing yielded 9.8% more than plots with 4 in. Cultivars did not differ significantly in their yield response to different plant spacings. The cultivars differed in flowering date, growth habit, pod clearance from the ground, and seed size. The plot‐to‐plot correlation of yield with number of pods per plant was positive and significant at the wider spacing. Yield was not associated with number of seeds per pod, and showed a significant negative correlation with l00‐seed weight. Inverse relationships among components of yield were observed, but number of pods per plant and 100‐seed weight were not significantly correlated. Standardised partial regression coefficient analysis indicated that number of pods was the main component determining yield. Selection for high yield can be based on number of pods per plant when grown at wider plant spacing. Heritability estimates for components of yield were very high.