BEAN CULTIVARS INTERCROPPING CASTOR BEAN

In Brazil, especially in the state of Goias, bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are largely cropped in small and mean farms where the association beans+corn is predominant. The castor beans has draw the attention as a promising crop for biodiesel production, and being suggested by federal authorities as a primary choice in family run small farmer's agricultural projects. However, to attain that purpose, a careful selection of high yielding varieties is imperative. The objective was to assess the bean cultivars intercropped with castor bean in "Cerrado". The experimental design was a completely randomized block, in a 6 x 2 + 1 factorial, with four replications. Treatments comprised a combination of six cultivars of beans (Perola, Pontal, Requinte, Grafite, Diamante Negro and Radiante) grown under two cropping systems (non-intercropped and intercropped castor bean), and the additional treatment of the castor beans non-intercropped. Bean cultivar Perola yield best when intercropped as well as when single crop. Castor bean cultivar Paraguacu performed similarly in both cropping systems. Bean yield decreased in the intercropping, but in the range of 38 to 71% was more efficient than in single crop.