Agrometeorological evaluation of french bean (Phaselus vulgaris) genotypes in nilgiri hills

A Field experiment was conducted at Horticulture Research Station (HRS) Ooty, to evaluate 11 French bean genotypes for yield and agrometeorological traits under high altitude of Nilgiri Hills. Analysis revealed significant variations among the genotypes in terms of yield and agrometeorological indices. Maximum plant height was recorded in IC 271,523, while EC 324,496 had highest pods/plant. The highest pod yield of 140.99 q/ha was obtained from EC 324,986 followed by IC 271,523 (125.19 q/ha). Days taken to first flowering phenophase phenophase (50 days after sowing, DAS) was lowest in case of genotypes EC 271,499. For 50% flowering and maturity, genotypes EC 324986 took least duration of 64 days and 119 days respectively. Among the genotypes the growing degree days were ignificantly varied for the days to first flowering, 50% flowering and maturity. The highest GDD of 475.7oC day recorded was with EC–271,564, 590.8oC day (EC—271,564) and 1106.1oC day (EC- 324,986) at the phenophase of days to first flowering, 50% flowering and maturity respectively. There was significant difference recorded among the genotypes in terms of heliothermal unit except at maturity, heat use efficiency (HUE) and Photothermal unit. Heat use efficiency was found to be postiviey and highly correlated (r=0.90**) with yield. The genotypes of EC 324986 and IC 271,523 can be used for develoing high yielding climate resilient French bean varieties for high altitude of NIlgiri hills of Tamil Nadu.