Performance of Eleven Dry Bean Cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris) Over Two Successive Seasons on the Hillsides of Jamaica

Abstract

Eleven bean cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris) were evaluated on the hillsides of Jamaica for grain yield and yield components during two sccessive growing seasons, viz., May-August and September-December, 1980. Grain yields were highest in the May planted crop ranging from 1.2 to 3.0 t/ha of excellent quality seed. Yields were considerably lower in the second planting ranging from 0.55 to 1.32 t/ha. Black seeded cultivars produced the highest grain yield in both plantings. The greater yields obtained in the first trial could be attributed to favorable weather conditions. However, a serious constraint to high yields is poor rainfall distribution which could lead to moisture stress and disease conditions as evidenced in the September crop. Bean rust and anthracnose adversely affected the crop. Positive linear correlations were observed between the number of pods/plant; seeds/pod; yield; and plant height. Number of seeds/pod were negatively correlated with seed size. This suggests that small seeded varieties tend to produce more seeds/ pod and a greater number of pods/ plant than large seeded varieties.