Effect of moisture regime and fertility level on growth, yield, nutrient turnover and moisture use by french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of moisture regime and fertility level on growth, yield, nutrient uptake and moisture use by 'HUR 15' french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Treatments comprised 4 moisture regimes (1W : CPE ratios 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00) in main plots and 4 fertility levels [control (N0P0K0), low (N40P12.9K16.6), medium (N80P25.80K33.2) and high (N120P38.7K49.8)] in subplots, in split-plot design during winter season of 1988-89 and 1989-90. Irrigation regimes significantly increased the dry-matter production, leaf-area index, relative growth rate, pods/plant (61.3%), seeds/plant (21.9%), 100-secd weight (22.8%). grain yield (32.4%), protein harvest (38.9%) and NPK uptake up to 0.75 IW : CPE ratio compared with 0.25 IW : CPE ratio. An increase in moisture regime increased the consumptive water use. However, higher water-use efficiency (33.3%) was associated with lower moisture regime (IW : CPE ratio 0.25). Dry-matter accumulation/plant, leaf-area index, relative growth rate, pods/plant, seeds/pod, 1000-seed weight, grain yield, protein recovery by grain and straw and the NPK uptake increased significantly with corresponding increase in fertility level. Higher fertility level (N120P38.7K49.8) led to 8.8% higher moisture use and 115.6% moisture-use efficiency than the control.