Fitohormonas y densidad de siembra en variables fisiológicas y productivas de frijol común en invernadero

Abstract

Common bean represents a crop that offers significant nutritional value. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of phytohormones and plant density on growth, yield, water footprint, water use efficiency and the relationship profit-cost of bean production (variety Pinto Saltillo) grown in greenhouse conditions. Three plant densities were evaluated T1 (two plants/pot), T2 (three plants/pot), T3 (four plants/pot) with application of phytohormones (Vitaminum Forte, Cito Xplosión and Súper Hormonal) and their checkplots (TES). Results indicated that plants from T1 reached the greatest height (402 cm) and stem diameter (6.7 mm). T3 showed the lowest height (250 cm) and thinner stems (5.5 mm) due to higher competition of plants for water and nutrients, which in turn favors a higher growth to capture more solar radiation. Maximum evapotranspiration (6.0 L m-2) and water use efficiency were higher in T1 (1.96 kg m-3), while, the highest value of water footprint was registered in TES-T2 (239 L kg-1). The seed yield ranged between 5.36 and 7.17 t ha-1 and the relationship profit /cost was low 0.14-0.19. The production costs in greenhouse generated net negative profit, which showed the need of strategies to optimize profitability and sustainability of the crop. The combination of phytohormones and accurate plant density increased the distribution of assimilates towards reproductive organs.