Yield Response of Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Cultivars in Weed Infested Condition

In order to evaluate the effects of planting density of bean cultivars on competitive ability with weeds, this field experiment was arranged as a split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Tobacco Research Institute of Rasht, Iran, in 2017. Treatments included five cultivars of bean (Akhtar, Derakhshan, Yaghout, Dorsa and Shokoufa) and three planting densities (15, 25 and 35 plant.m-2 in weedy conditions). The results showed that all evaluated characteristics were affected by cultivar, density or interaction of two factors except for plant height. Dorsa and Shokofa cultivars resulted in the highest and lowest secondary branch number per plant and pod number per plant respectively. The highest nod number per plant was showed at densities of 25 and 35 for Yaghout cultivar, and at 25 plants.m-2 for Dorsa cultivar. Also these cultivars showed the highest grain number per pod. Derakhshan among other varieties, produced the highest pod length and plant dry weight. Derakhshan and Dorsa cultivars had the highest plant fresh weight at densities of 15 and 25 plants.m-2. Maximum 100-grain weight observed in the Derakhshan cultivar. Among all cultivars, Yaghout cultivar (averaged on three densities) produced the highest grain yields. Secondary branch number per plant and Grain number per pod of bean cultivars were higher in densities of 25 and 35 than 15 plants.m-2. In general, it seems that suitable red and white bean cultivars for planting in this region based on yield, are Yaghout and Dorsa.