INFLUENCE OF IRRIGATION REGIME ON SEED YIELD OF PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L. IN SOUTHERN ITALY

Results of two year researches on Phaseolus vulgaris L., cv. Taylor's Horticultural, carried out in Southern Italy (Metaponto area, MT), to study the influence of irrigation regime on seed yield, are reported.

Irrigation regimes were obtained changing the seasonal water volumes in such a way to apply the 25–50–75–100 and 125% of the EET calculated by "Class A" pan evaporimeter method applying local crop coefficients.

Results show that the best yield have been obtained using a seasonal water volume equal to the EET calculated and a watering volume equal to 100 m³/ha during the first stage of the crop, and to 300 m³/ha thereafter. This irrigation regime gives the possibility to obtain a yield of seed greater than 3 t/ha.