Abstract
The effect of support (1.5m-height above ground) on the growth of an annual climber, kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), was studied. The differences in growth performance between climbing and non-climbing (vineless) varieties of kidney beans were also examined. Changing patterns of the relative growth rate (RGR) and the net assimilation rate (NAR) were not affected by the absence of the support. In the case of vineless variety, RGR was larger than that of the climbing variety in the initial stage of growth while NAR was smaller. Average dry weight of individuals at 70th day after sowing was 60g in supported group and 43g in non-supported group. It is assumed that the growth of non-supported group was restricted by the dark condition under the canopy due to densely attached leaves. The relative allocations to leaf were similar among three treatments, while the allocations to stem were small in climbing variety. In vineless variety, basal diameter and relative allocation to the root were larger than that of climbing variety. It is considered that a vineless kidney bean might adapt to the self-supporting life.
