Frequency and levels of irrigation in dry beans during winter season

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of frequency and levels of irrigation on yield and agronomical characteristics of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar CNF-0010. The study was done at CNPAF-EMBRAPA, Goiânia, GO, under field conditions, using a moveable "rainshelter", during the winter season of 1982. The irrigation treatments were 2, 4, and 6 mm/day at 1, 4, 7 and 10 day intervals. Multiple regression equations were developed among the irrigation treatments, grain production and root density. Grain production was affected more by the levels of irrigation (R² = 85.33%) than by the frequency (R² = 5.86%). Higher grain yields were obtained with increased irrigation levels. Grain production decreased linearly with increase in irrigation intervals only when 4 and 6 mm/day of water were applied. At the level of 4 mm/day the highest root density was obtained. The amount of water used, on an average, was 173, 295 and 411 mm for the 2, 4 and 6 mm/day treatments, respectively.