Planting Date and Genotype Effects on Tepary Bean Productivity

Abstract

Our objective was to evaluate production potential of eight tepary bean ( Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray) genotypes and three planting dates. Significant variation ( P < 0.05) existed among eight genotypes and three planting dates in 1997 and 1998. The genotype ×planting date interaction was nonsignificant ( P > 0.05) for seed yield and harvest index. Seed yields of eight genotypes, when averaged over three planting dates and 2 years, varied from 1618 to 1988 with a mean of 1816 kg·ha -1 , indicating that tepary bean is adapted to Virginia's agro-climatic conditions. The harvest index (ratio between seed and total plant weight, expressed as percentage) ranged from 38% to 47%. Seed weight varied from 12.6 to 18.8 g with a mean of 14.5 g. Genotypes with tan-colored seeds had significantly larger seed than those with black or white seeds. Planting dates significantly affected seed yield, seed weight, and harvest index. The highest seed yield (2239 kg·ha -1 ) and harvest index were obtained from the late May plantings.