Staking system and planting spacing in the asparagus bean production

ABSTRACT The optimization of plantation spacing, just like the use of staking plant systems, are cultural practices that have improved production efficiency of various kinds of vegetable. The aim of this study was to compare the asparagus bean cultivation conducted in different staking and spacing systems. The experiment was conducted in the design of randomized blocks in a factorial scheme (4x3) with four replicates. The first factor was constituted by four staking types [narrow ribbon vertical (FV), “V” normal (VN), inverted “V” (VI) and creeping (R)]. The second factor was constituted of three plant spacing (20, 40, and 60 cm), keeping constant the spacing of 1 m between crop rows. The evaluated characteristics were precocity (cultivation cycle); number of pods, mass of grains and pods per plant; length of pods; number of grains and mass of grains per pod; grain and pod yield. The gas exchange as well as the cost of deploying each of the treatments were also evaluated. The density of 50,000 plants/ha (spacing of 20 cm) provided the highest productivity in the FV and VI systems, with 9.10 and 6.72 t/ha, in addition to promoting higher net income to the producer, with averages of approximately 23 and 15 thousand R$ above R system. For the gas exchange variables, there was a reduction in net photosynthesis with density increase. The use of higher planting densities are indicated, combined with the use of FV and VI systems, in detriment to R system. The higher planting densities generate higher productivity and net income to the producer.