Study area
Ambatofitorahana, Region Amoron'i Mania, Madagascar
Objectives
To determine the optimal planting density for green bean that maximizes yield, pod quality, and land-use efficiency. Specific objectives: (1) compare the effect of different planting spacings on vegetative growth (plant height, leaf count, stem diameter, biomass); (2) assess the impact on yield components (pods per plant, pod weight and length, total yield); (3) analyze the influence of plant density on crop health status and inter-plant competition.
Methodology
Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD); 4 treatments × 4 blocks = 16 experimental plots of 4 m² (2 m × 2 m). Treatments differ only in planting spacing: T1 (farmer's practice/control), T2 (20 cm × 40 cm), T3 (5 cm × 50 cm), T4 (30 cm × 60 cm). Direct seeding; fertilization and crop management are uniform across all treatments.
Monitored parameters
Vegetative growth (at 21, 35, and 50 days after sowing – DAS): plant height, leaf number, stem diameter at collar, fresh and dry aboveground biomass. Yield components (at harvest): pods per plant, average pod length and weight, plot yield and extrapolated yield in kg/ha. Plant health: disease incidence and severity (0–5 scale), pest presence, plant mortality rate.
Ambatofitorahana, Region Amoron'i Mania, Madagascar
Objectives
To determine the optimal planting density for green bean that maximizes yield, pod quality, and land-use efficiency. Specific objectives: (1) compare the effect of different planting spacings on vegetative growth (plant height, leaf count, stem diameter, biomass); (2) assess the impact on yield components (pods per plant, pod weight and length, total yield); (3) analyze the influence of plant density on crop health status and inter-plant competition.
Methodology
Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD); 4 treatments × 4 blocks = 16 experimental plots of 4 m² (2 m × 2 m). Treatments differ only in planting spacing: T1 (farmer's practice/control), T2 (20 cm × 40 cm), T3 (5 cm × 50 cm), T4 (30 cm × 60 cm). Direct seeding; fertilization and crop management are uniform across all treatments.
Monitored parameters
Vegetative growth (at 21, 35, and 50 days after sowing – DAS): plant height, leaf number, stem diameter at collar, fresh and dry aboveground biomass. Yield components (at harvest): pods per plant, average pod length and weight, plot yield and extrapolated yield in kg/ha. Plant health: disease incidence and severity (0–5 scale), pest presence, plant mortality rate.