Abstract
Eight snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars and lines were grown under an organic management system in 2011 and 2012 in Lajas, Puerto Rico. Bean genotypes used in the trial were the commercial cultivars 'Contender', 'Festina', 'Fresh Pick', 'Jade', 'Nash' and 'Provider', and two experimental breeding lines PR1018-1 and PR1018-5. In 2011, 'Provider' and PR1018-5had the highest yields, with 11.2 and 11.1 t/ha, respectively, but these were not significantly different from the yields of 'Contender', 'Festina', PR1018-1 or 'Nash'. 'Jade' had the lowest yield, with 6.5 t/ha. In 2012, the highest yielding cultivar was 'Festina', with 14.6 t/ha, which was not significantly different from 'Nash' (13.8 t/ha), PR1018-5 (12.6 t/ha) or 'Jade' (12.5 t/ha). 'Contender' (9 t/ha), 'Provider' (8.4 t/ha) and 'Fresh Pick' (8.4 t/ha) had the lowest yields. This study has shown that snap beans can be successfully grown in Puerto Rico under an organic management system, with yields similar or superior to conventionally produced snap beans.