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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #78225
Title: STAND, GROWTH, AND YIELD OF SNAP BEANS IN CONVENTIONAL TILLAGE AND NO-TILL HAIRY VETCH MULCH

Author
item Abdul Baki, Aref
item Teasdale, John

Submitted to: Journal of American Society of Horticulture Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/24/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Stand, plant growth, and yield were determined on 'Matador' and 'Carlos' snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) that were planted as a summer crop in a three-year study using conventional tillage (CT) and no-till hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L. Roth) mulch (HV) systems. The CT plots received (kg.ha-1) 67 N as ammonium nitrate at preplanting and both CT and HV plots received (kg.ha-1) 17N-34P-17K with the planter. Stand differences between CT and HV were not significant. Average yields in CT and HV over a three-year period were 13.3 and 19.8 t.ha-1, respectively. Average plant dry mass 2 days before harvest was not significantly different between CT and HV. Leaf area per plant 2 days before harvest was 1,992 and 3,092 cm-2 in CT and HV, respectively. Higher yield in the HV mulch system, as compared to CT, can be attributed to larger leaf area per plant, higher soil organic matter and water holding capacity, and less soil compaction in the HV plots.