Abstract

The agro-climatic zoning classifies the southern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, as being suitable for bean farming, especially in the dry season, where there are appropriate climatic conditions for growing. In this area, determining the optimum sowing dates is controlled by the climatic conditions and the adaptability of different cultivars. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of some common bean cultivars submitted to different seeding times in the dry season in the South of Minas Gerais. The beans cultivars were used (Perola, TAA Bola Cheia and IAPAR 81) submitted to four sowing date (January 18, February 26, March 08 and March 20). The experimental was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RBD) with three replications in a factorial 4 × 3, corresponding to the four sowing dates and three bean cultivars and results were submitted to analysis of variance by the F test, and when there was a significant, means were compared by Tukey test at 5% and regression analysis. The water deficit was the weather element most influencing bean yield. There was interaction between cultivars and seeding times only on bean yield. The first sowing (January 18) provides the highest yield (30% more in relation the other) and the best agronomic characteristics, regardless of the cultivar. Cultivars Bola Cheia and Perola are the most productive.

Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris, crop yield, water stress, main components.