Experimental plot border effect on yield and plant height of common bean

Abstract

In order to study the border effect on inter and intracultivar competition in experimental plots of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) field trials were conducted at the Embrapa-Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Arroz e Feijão (CNPAF), in Santo Antônio de Goiás, GO. Three cultivars were used: Novo Jalo (Type I), Xamego (Type II) and Aporé (Type IIIa). The intercultivar effect over the yield and plant height in the plot central lines was dependent on the cultivar plant type used in the plot itself as well as the cultivar plant type used in the immediate neighboring plots. For all three cultivars evaluated it is recommended that in addition to the usual lateral borders one should also have, at least, 0.5 m of the lines used as borders at both ends of the plots.