Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Common Bean Cultivars as Affected by Plant Population and Growing Season

Brazil’s production of common bean is insufficient to supply the domestic market. Factors such as plant density, cultivar, growing season, and nutrient uptake affect bean yield, suggesting the need for more studies to optimize bean production. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of plant density on seed yield components and nutrient uptake of two common bean cultivars grown in two different seasons. Field experiments were carried out at the IAPAR experimental site in Santa Tereza do Oeste, Paraná, Brazil in the wet and dry season using five planting densities- 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 plants m-1. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four replications and two bean cultivars of different growth types. The cultivars used were ‘IPR Curió’ (type I) and ‘IPR Tangará’ (type II), both have erect plant architecture and belong to the Carioca group. Obtained data underwent analysis of variance and regression. Macronutrient uptake was not affected by crop density probably due to nutrient availability and compensatory growth of the crop. High crop density per linear meter decreased the number of seeds and pods per plant but did not affect the first pod height or yield in both cultivars and seasons.