Author(s): R. SADHUKHAN, M. K. BHOWMICK* AND P. K. BISWAS

Abstract: A field trial was conducted during the rabi season of 2004-05 to determine the optimum sowing time besides identifying the rajmash (Phaseolus vulgaris) genotypes suitable for cultivation under West Bengal, India. Treatments comprised: four sowing dates (first week of October (2 October 2004), fourth week of October (26 October 2004), third week of November (20 November 2004) and second week of December (13 December 2004)) and seven genotypes (IPR 96-4, HUR 203, HUR 301, PDR 14, HUR 137, SKUR 19 and Amber). Among the genotypes, highest seed yield of 930 kg/ha was recorded by IPR 96-4 in sowing on the fourth week of October when PDR 14, Amber and HUR 203 yielded 867, 837 and 820 kg/ha, respectively. Delay in sowing showed gradual decrease seed yield. There was yield reduction by 53.5% due to delay in sowing by 6 weeks beyond October whereas it was 16.3% if sowing was advanced by 3 weeks from the fourth week of October. A reverse trend was also noticed for days to 50% flowering and days to maturity under delayed sowing. The crop took more time to flower and mature when sowing was done beyond the month of October. The optimum time for rajmash sowing was between the end of October to early November. Among the genotypes, IPR 96-4 and PDR 14 exhibited their superiority over others in terms of yield.

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