EFFECT OF IRRIGATION AND NITROGEN ON GROWTH, YIELD, NITROGEN UPTAKE AND WATER-USE EFFICIENCY OF FRENCH BEAN (PHASEOLUS-VULGARIS)

A field experiment was conducted on french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ) with 6 levels of irrigation and 3 levels of nitrogen during the wint er season of 1991-93 at Pusa. Leaf-area index and dry-matter productio n were maximum at 3 irrigations, 0.8 IW:CPE (IW, Irrigation water; CPE , cumulative pan evaporation) ratio and 120 kg N/ha. Grain yield and n et returns were highest with 0.8 IW:CPE ratio, 3 irrigations and 120 k g N/ha. Water-use efficiency was maximum with 1 irrigation. Soil-moist ure depletion was higher from 0-60 cm layer with 2-3 irrigations, wher eas relative depletion in the lower soil profile (60-90 cm) was more w ith 1 irrigation. Total N uptake increased significantly with increase in the levels of irrigation and nitrogen.