The effect of plant population on chlorophyll content and grain yield of dry bean (<em>Phaseolus vulgaris</em> L.) at Dzindi irrigation scheme in South Africa

Abstract

The trial was conducted at Dzindi irrigation scheme in Vhembe District in the Limpopo Province during the 2012 growing season. It was a 3x2 factorial experiment involving three plant populations (210 000, 150 000 and 70 000 plants ha-1) and two varieties of dry bean which are OPS-RS2 and Jenny with three replications. The results revealed that the interaction relationship between dry bean variety and plant population significantly influenced grain yield, 100 seed mass, number of seeds, plant height, chlorophyll content and dry matter production. The highest grain yield per plant was produced by Jenny with 70 000 plants ha-1. The highest grain yield was produced by OPS-RS2 with 150 000 plants ha-1 (3.8 tha-1) which was not significantly different to Jenny at 210 000 plants ha-1 and Jenny at 150 000 plants ha-1. A plant population of 150 000 plants ha-1 was suitable for both determinate and indeterminate growth type dry beans.