Effects of different nutrient solutions on yield, quality and nutrient consumption of green beans

This research was carried out during the autumn and spring seasons of 2001 and 2002 in order to determine the effects of different nutrient solutions on yield, quality and nutrient consumption of beans grown in closed substrate culture. Volcanic tuff was used as the substrate and filled into horizontal pots as 24 litres. The seeds of cv. 'Altm Belik' were directly sown into pots on 12(nd) of September 2001 and 27(th) of February 2002 for autumn and spring season production respectively. Water and nutrient requirements of the plants were applied via drip irrigation system with four nutrient solutions including different nitrogen (35, 70, 105 and 140 ppm), potassium (100, 150, 200 and 250 ppm), magnesium (30, 40, 50 and 60 ppm) and zinc (0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 ppm) concentrations. In the experiment, yield, some fruit quality parameters (average pod weight, pod width, length and thickness, pod color, dry matter and crude fiber content) and also nutrient consumptions were determined. In both growing seasons, higher total yields were obtained from the nutrient solution having 35 ppm N, 100 ppm K2O,30 ppm Mg and 0.25 ppm Zn due to lower EC level and in general higher nutrient uptake efficiency.