Effects of planting bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in single or double rows

Graduation date: 1988A comparison was made between double rows 15 cm apart\ud on 76 cm centers and single rows 76 cm apart of 'Oregon\ud 91G' bush green beans at the same planting densities in\ud three experiments in 1986 and 1987. There was a significant\ud increase in yields of pods from double rows of 9-14\ud percent compared to single rows in two experiments. From\ud the third experiment with low planting densities double\ud rows gave an increase in pod yield of 3 percent, which was\ud not significant.\ud Individual plant dry weights and Leaf Area Index (LAI)\ud were usually higher for plants in double rows compared to\ud plants in single rows.\ud Yield responses from increasing plant density were not\ud consistent but highest yields were produced at densities of\ud 35-50 plants/m². Plant dry weights decreased as density\ud increased, while effects of density on LAI were not\ud consistent.\ud Planting of bush beans in double rows compared to\ud single rows should result in no additional cost inputs\ud except development of planters. Feasibility of adoption of\ud this system of planting is discussed