Bean plant cv. Goiano precoce development under different irrigation regimes

Abstract

The influence of water on growth and development of fruits of bean plants Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv, Goiano Precoce was studied. The effect of water availability on the pre-flowering,flowering and fruiting stages received special attention. Plants under a twice a week irrigation regime showed the most rapid vegetative (relative growth rate = 0.1910 g/g/day and net assimilation rate = 0.243 mg/cm²/ day). Abscission of flower buds was associated with changes in water stress: 31.7%, 7.2% and 0% in stressed plants that had been under irrigation every day, once a week and twice a week, respectively. Flowers and fruit set ware also strongly affected by water availability; under water stress a higher percentage of abscission was observed in all the irrigation regimes studied (36% - 50%).