Department of Agronomy and Horticultural Science, University of Sydney, Australia
*Present Address: Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.
Glasshouse experiments demonstrated that a 24/19°C temperature (day/night) during the initial vegetative growth phase is optimal for the development of healthy, compact and strong French bean cv. Apollo plants. Growth was slower at lower temperatures. Plants grown at higher temperatures (33/28 and 30/25°C) were less vigorous, with weak stems and pale leaves. Pod set and retention were optimal at 24/19 and 27/22°C, falling both at higher and lower temperatures. Set did not occur at 33/28°C. Pods developed and matured earlier at higher temperatures. Growing of the plants at 18/13, 21/16 or 24/19°C after the initial vegetative growth of the plants and pod set at 24/J9°C did not influence the total yield of seed per plant. However, seed size decreased with increase in temperature.
