Articles
EFFECTS OF PLASTIC TUNNELS AND SOWING DATES ON GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF BEAN VARIETIES GROWN IN CALCAREOUS SOIL
Varieties which were used (Giza 3, Bronco and Morgan) were sown at different dates; 9th, 19th and 29th of February in both seasons.
These varieties were grown under plastic tunnels and/or in the open field.
Plant growth parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry weight were recorded and pod quality was estimated by measuring fibre %, protein % and carbohydrate content.
Pod tissues were analyzed chemically to measure N, P and K percentages.
The results obtained showed that plant height and number of leaves were significantly affected by the different sowing dates and by variation in genotype.
Using low tunnels significantly increased the number of leaves compared to the open field while the effect was not significant for plant height.
Chemical analysis of pods showed no significant difference in N, P, K, fibre, protein percentages or carbohydrate content when they were produced either in the open field or under low tunnels.
It can be concluded that using plastic tunnels produced more vigorous plants but did not affect the N, P, K, protein percentage or carbohydrate content of pods.
All of the bean varieties used in this study showed increased growth with higher quality pods (less fiber %, higher protein percentage and higher carbohydrate content) at the third sowing date (29th of Feb.) compared to the other sowing dates.
Bronco was the best variety in terms of plant growth and quality of pods.
Morgan variety had the lowest growth and quality under these conditions.