EFFECT OF NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS AND POTASSIUM ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF FRENCHBEAN (PHASEOLUS-VULGARIS)

A field trial was carried during the winter seasons of 1989-90 and 199 0-91 to study the effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on the growth and yield of 'PDR 14' Frenchbean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Three factors, viz. nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, each at 3 levels (0 , 60 and 120 kg/ha) were compared in a 3(3)-confounding design replica ted 3 times. Nitrogen affected all the growth attributes, viz. height, leaves, leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight, branches at harvest and yield, significantly up to the 120 kg N/ha in both the years, whereas effect of phosphorus was noticed up to 60 kg/ha on leaves/plant in the first year, leaf area in the second year and on grain yield in both t he years. Potassium, however, failed to exert any significant influenc e in any year on any of the characters. Intractive effect of nitrogen and phosphorus was noticed in leaves/plant only in the second year and 120 kg N/ha and 120 kg P2O5/ha produced maximum leaves/plant (43.5). All the growth attributes were found positively and significantly corr elated with the grain yield.