A Comparison of Yields of Common Beans at Physiological and Harvest Maturity

Abstract

Two harvesting stages of two bean cultivars-Bonita (white) and Naranjito (striped)-were evaluated in a Coto soil (Tropeptic Haplorthox, clayey, kaolinitic, isohyperthermic) in northwestern Puerto Rico, and in a San Anton soil (Cumulic Hoplustolls; fine, loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic) in a semiarid southern plain of Puerto Rico. Both cultivars were harvested when physiologically mature and when dry. Cv. Bonita yield was higher in the two localities because of more pods per plant and more seeds per pod. Yield of physiologically mature beans was 70% higher than when dry. When unhulled beans are sold, the yield is about 75% over that of dry beans.