Growth and Yield of Bush Snap Bean Varieties as Affected by Drought Condition in La Trinidad, Benguet

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Benguet State University, Experiment Station in La Trinidad, Benguet to evaluate the growth and seed yield of bush snap bean under drought condition; compare the growth and seed yield of bush snap bean varieties under irrigated and moderate drought condition; determine the bush snap bean varieties that produced the highest seed yield and drought condition; and determine the interaction effect of drought stress levels and snap bush bean varieties. The ten snap bean varieties were subjected to normal and moderate to severe stress condition. Snap bean varieties subjected to drought condition showed low chlorophyll content. Drought condition at reproductive stage resulted in flower abortion and accelerated maturity which led to the decrease in the number of flower per cluster, number of pods per plant, seed width and length, percentage pod set, harvest index, 100 seed weight short roots. These consequently resulted in the decrease of marketable seeds and total seed yield. Varieties “Lipstican”, “Pinto”,“Lusong white” and Red bean performed better under drought condition as shown by larger their leaves, more number of pods, longer pods, higher seed yield and seed weight. The interaction of snap bean varieties and drought levels significantly affected all parameters except for the number of pods per cluster, number of flower per cluster, leaf area at 60 DAP, and number of days from sowing to last harvest of dried pods, and root length. Drought stress at any stage caused decrease in growth parameters. Moderate to severe stress during reproductive stage or at flowering stage of the snap bean plants was the most detrimental. From these results, it is recommended that snap bean varieties should not be subjected to stress especially during the flowering stage. Varieties “Lipstican”, Red bean, “Pinto” and “Lusong white” are recommended when drought cannot be avoided. Further studies can be undertaken under field conditions using other varieties of snap bush bean.