Response of navy beans to row width and plant population density in Queensland

Abstract

Grain yield responses of the navy bean (Phaseolus vulgavis L. cv. Actolac) to 4 row widths (17.8, 35.6, 71.1 and 107.0 cm) and 2 plant population densities (112 500 and 337 500 plants/ha) were investigated in 7 trials. The trials were at 4 locations over 3 years during the summer in southern Queensland and winter in northern Queensland. Detailed yield components and growth measurements were made at 4 locations in 1 year. The established populations at harvest were lower than expected, especially at high populations and at maximum row widths. Grain yields increased with population with a mean response of 19.1% over all sites, and responded negatively in a variable and complex manner to row width with a mean response of 46.5% for the narrowest over the widest row spacing. Grain yields were mainly determined by pod numbers, which in turn were causally related to estimated ground cover between flowering and the middle of pod-filling and hence to total vegetative yield.