DRY MATTER ACCUMULATION DURING DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF COMMON BEAN CULTIVARS

Knowledge about the onset and duration of developmental stages and dry matter production in common bean varieties is essential for good management and production of this crop. This study was to determine the occurrence and duration of developmental stages and to record dry matter accumulation in the common bean varieties of determinate-growth habit Bayomex, Canario Chiapas, Peruano 16 and Peruano Mostaza. The field work was conducted in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico under rainfed conditions, using a randomized complete blocks experimental design with three replications. The number of days at the beginning of each stage, as well as the dry matter accumulated in each stage and grain yield, were recorded. The duration in days for each stage was determined and dry matter accumulation curves were constructed; the average daily growth rate per phenological stage was obtained. The cultivars showed differences in the stages of development of the reproductive phase and in the extent of the biological cycle. Bayomex and Canario Chiapas reached maturity at 82 and 85 days while Peruano 16 and Perano Mostaza reached that stage at 92 and 94 days, respectively. Differences were detected among cultivars in total dry matter production. The accumulation of dry matter was slow at the early stages, it was faster at intermediate stages and it slowed towards physiological maturity. There was an increase of dry matter in vegetative structures until pod formation and a decline at physiological maturity; reproductive structures showed pronounced accumulation of dry matter between pod formation and maturity. The average daily growth rate was higher at the intermediate stages. Peruano 16 and Peruano Mostaza cultivars showed a longer biological cycle, increased dry matter and grain yield production.