STUDIES ON PRODUCTIVITY OF BEAN PLANTS UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CONDITIONS

Abstract

The aim of the study was to improve growth and productivity of Snap bean (Phaseo/us vulgaris L.) under environmental stress conditions such as chilling, drought and high temperature. Low tunnels, plastic mulch and spraying with CaCh or KCl were used to protect bean plants during winter season. The experiments also aimed to study the effect of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza on drought and chilling tolerance of bean plants and to evaluate tolerance of local and imported bean varieties under drought and heat stress conditions. Long-term water stress was also studied under different water stress levels. Plant growth, yield, water relations and several physiological parameters were examined under stressful conditions. The results showed that the combination of low tunnels with spraying with CaCh or KCl had the highest growth and yield compared with other treatments during winter season. Giza 3 and Flexo varieties showed higher drought and heat tolerance than the other varieties. The results indicated that the inoculation with mycorrhiza had positive effects on drought and chilling tolerance of bean plants. The effects of the treatments on bean growth, productivity and the physiological parameters under stress conditions are discussed.