Morphological and phenological differences between the two species of the Phaseolus genus (Phaseolus vulgaris and Phaseolus coccineus)

Abstract

During the vegetation period, some differences were found between the two species as concerns morphological, physiological and phenological traits. Under conditions of year 2008, in the experimental field of the Gene Bank of Suceava, the samples of Phaseolus coccineus L. species raised, flowered and fructified 2-30 days earlier than the samples belonging to Phaseolus vulgaris L. species. Although it behaved like an early species in the experimental field, Phaseolus coccineus L. reached maturity 8-15 days later than Phaseolus vulgaris L. species. This fact was explained by high rainfall amounts and low temperatures recorded in September 2008. Although Phaseolus coccineus L. species was cultivated in the past as ornamental plant, today it is cultivated in Romania for food, almost exclusively in the peasants’ households from the mountainous area.