Two field experiments were carried out at the Experimental Research Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Moshtohor, Benha University, Kalubia Governorate during two summer growing seasons (2007 and 2008) to investigate the response of three indigenous-native Bonavista bean types of different seed-coat colors (White, Black and Brown) grown at various population densities (10, 20 and 30 kg/fed). Experiments were designed and implemented to evaluate their fresh and dry forage yield, vegetative growth behaviour, and quality determinations. Experiments were designed and layed out as split plot design where Bonavista bean types were randomly distributed in the main plots and seeding rates in the split plots. Two individual cuts were obtained during each of the two growing seasons and their total yield. Results could be concluded as follows: White type was of the highest significant total fresh and dry yield with the highest number of shoots/m2 when planted at the densed seeding rates. Meanwhile, Brown type was the largest significant stem diameter, leaf area/plant and leaf/stem ratio when planted at the lowest seeding rate. Whereas, Black type was of the tallest plants. Key words: Bonavista bean types- seeding rates. |