Abstract:
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sowing
date and plant population on growth, yield and quality of snap
bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cv. Star 2052. The experiment was
executed at the vegetable farm, Department of Horticultural
Science, College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of
Science and Technology (Shambat), in the winter season of
2011/2012. The effects of two sowing dates (7th and 26th of
November) and six plant populations (10, 15, and 20cm plant
spacing x 2 and 3 plants/hole), to give 120000, 180000, 90000,
135000, 60000 and 90000 plants/fed, respectively, were
studied. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four
replications were used. The results showed that the early
sowing date had positive effect on some growth parameters.
Increasing plant spacing had positive effect on all growth
parameters (Plant height, number of branches/plant, main root
16
length, number of secondary roots, leaves number and leaf
area, shoot and root fresh and dry weights and days to 10% and
50% flowering), with the highest value being obtained at the
15cm
spacing.
The
same
was
reflected
on
pod
yield
components except yield/fed and on pod quality spatially on
pod length and pod fresh weight. Decreasing number of
plants/hole had positive effect on all growth parameters except
plant height and leaf area. It had also positive effects on all
yield components, whereas it had no effect on pod quality.
Generally, it can be concluded that early sowing date (7th
November), narrow plant spacing (10cm) and higher planting
density
(3plants/hole)
i.e.
a
plant population
of
180000
plants/fed gave the highest pod yield and quality of beans. For
optimum yield of beans early sowing in November at 10cm
plant spacing and 3plants/hole could be recommended at
Shambat and areas of similar condition. However, these results
should be confirmed by further trial.
