FOLIAR FERTILIZATION AND PLANT DENSITY ON DRY BEANS SEED YIELD AND QUALITY

Abstract

The effect of some agronomical factors in yield and seed quality in dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was studied. In the spring-summer of 1993 in Tecamac, México, 25 advanced bean families (F₅) with indeterminate growth habit tipe III were planted under two plant densities (62,500 and 125,000 plants ha^-1); two levels of foliar fertilization (with and without) were used in the flowering (R6) and pod filling (R8) stages. The nitrogen source was Nitrofoska brand in doses of 2 L ha^-1 each. In the harvested seed, analysis of physical, pathological and physiological quality were done. There was not a significant effect with the foliar fertilization to yield and seed quality, but it was observed that there was a reduction in pods/plant and seeds/pod. As population density increased, yield increased 200 kg ha^-1, and in the analysis of seed purity inert material increased too; but the 1000 seed weight decreased lightly; however, volumetric weight, pathological and physiological quality was not affected. Finally, the genetic component (families) performance was important for yield, yield components, and for physical, pathological, and physiological quality of seeds.