WATER REGIME EFFECTS ON PHENOLOGY AND SEED YIELD OF TWO COMMON BEAN CULTIVARS GROWN IN DURANGO, MÉXICO

INTRODUCTION: In the State of Durango, México, common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is the most important food product used for direct human consumption, after grain cooking. Common bean is cultivated mainly under rainfed conditions in despite of its decisive role in local economy, human nutrition and nutraceutical contribution for human health. Under rainfed conditions water shortage (intermittent drought) and yield losses in common beans are the main factors causing negative impacts on the farmer´s economy. Some attempts have been made to use common beans under irrigated conditions in order to improve water productivity and to stabilize seed yield. Early maturity and low water requirements were introduced in modern ‘pinto’ common bean cultivars in order to improve seed yield. Characterization of modern cultivars is required in order to implement the use of technological tools for precise irrigation scheduling; as well as for phenology and yield prediction. The growing degree days (°D) concept, which is based on actual temperatures, is considered as a simple and accurate method to predict when a certain plant stage will occur (Miller et al., 2001). The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of three water regimes on phenology and seed yield of common bean at three experimental sites in the State of Durango, México.