Effects of Irrigation Regimes on Yield and Water Use of Snap Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)1,2

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Abstract
Two snap bean cultivars, ‘Galagreen’ and ‘Eagle’, were grown in rainfall sheltered irrigation plots as spring and fall crops. Pod yield of snap beans irrigated when the soil water tension reached 25 kPa (0.25 bar) averaged 11.9 MT/ha. Application of irrigation at soil water tensions of 50 kPa (0.5 bar) and 75 kPa (.75 bar) reduced yield by 41% and 48%, respectively. The reduction in water use was proportionately less than yield decreases, resulting in water use efficiencies of 0.62, 0.45 and 0.40 MT of pods/cm of water for the 25, 50 and 75 kPa irrigation treatments. Water use by the cultivars was similar, but pod yield and water use efficiency of ‘Eagle’ was greater than ‘Galagreen’. Pod yields were reduced when plants were subjected to a 75 kPa soil water stress during pre-blossom, blossom or pod development growth stages. The relationships of snap bean water use (ET) to evaporation from an open pan (PA) were established throughout growth. The crop factor value (ET/PA) varied with plant age and irrigation regime.

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