TILLAGE EFFECT ON ROOT-ROT SEVERITY, GROWTH AND YIELD OF BEANS

The effect of soil tillage on plant growth, yield and root rot severity of beans was investigated in field plots with and without root rot infestation in 1992 and 1993. There was a significant reduction in root rot severity, and an increase in plant dry weight and yield in the root-rot-infested soils with deep tillage in both years. Deep tillage also significantly increased plant dry weight and yield in the non-root-rot soils in a dry year. The resistant cultivar (A300) had significantly less root rot damage than the susceptible cultivar (Harowood) in both root rot and non-root rot infested soils. Significant differences in plant dry weight and yield in relation to cultivars were not detected. Therefore, deep tillage can reduce soil compaction and increase yield of beans and reduce root rot severity.