Effect of daily mean air temperature on yield of beans

Abstract

This work deals with the study of daily mean air temperature effect on yield of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The yield was linearly correlated to daily mean air temperature for different periods in the crop cycle. The general correlation equation found was: Y = m (T - 21.7) + 1.213, where: Y = yield of grain (kg/ha), T = daily mean air temperature (°C) for a given period of a crop cycle, m = characteristic coefficient for she period. The best periods for yield forecasting were located between the 10^th and the 40^th day of the crop cycle. The daily mean rates of bean yield increase per 1°C elevation in daily mean air temperature, varied through the crop cycle, the higher values occuring in a 30-40 days period. The thermal threshold of yield has been 20°C daily mean air temperature for the first 50 days of cycle and 19°C for the whole cycle.