DROUGHT RESISTANCE OF CARIBBEAN AND CENTRAL AMERICAN COMMON BEAN {Phaseolus vulgaris L.) LINES

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production in many regions occurs under rainfed conditions where water deficit limits yield and causes instability of production. A field study was conducted to evaluate the response of nine Caribbean and Central American common bean lines under rainfed conditions in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and to assess Ν fixation under limiting and non-limiting moisture conditions. The lines included nodulating and non-nodulating isolines of BAT 477 and DOR 364. The study used a split plot arrangement in randomized complete block design with moisture as the main plot, genotypes as subplot, and four replications. Higher than normal precipitation impeded the development of moisture deficit in the rainfed treatment, so yield did not differ between rainfed and control treatments. Yield of the nine genotypes ranged from 142 to 1508 kg ha1. Yield of XAN 176, DOR 364 (nodulating), and 9603- 22 exceeded 1300 kg ha"1, despite infestations of common blight (Xanthomonas campestris pv. Phaseoli), Cercospora (Cercospora canescens), bean leafskeletonizer (near Autoplasia spp), and ozone damage. Yield was reduced by 17 and 27% in the nonnodulating isolines of BAT 477 and DOR 364, respectively. The genotypes ICA Palmer and SEA5 had the lowest yield, each producing less than 700 kg ha"1. Days to flower ranged from 34 (9603-22 and ICA Palmer) to 38 days after planting (DAP) and days to maturity ranged from 69 (9603-22) to 75 DAP (BAT 477, BAT 477 (non-nodulating), SEA5, and 8-42-M-2).