Productivity and morphology of pods and seeds of lima bean varieties in Paraiba State, Brazil

This work aimed to determine lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) yield and to describe morphology of their pods and seeds. Eight lima bean varieties (Amarela-cearense, Boca-de-moca, Branquinha, Mororo, Olho-de-ovelha, Olho-de-peixe, Orelha-de-vo, Raio-de-sol) were evaluated in a field experiment from July to December 1999, in Bananeiras, PB, Brazil. All of the varieties presented indeterminate, climbing growth habit with oblong and bend long pods containing two to four seeds. The variety with the longest pods (89.9 mm) and the highest 100-seed weight (79.5 g) was Orelha-de-vo. Olho-de-ovelha and Orelha-de-vo had the highest and the lowest performance regarding dry-seed yield with productivity rates of 0.852 and 0.293 t ha(-1), respectively. High variation in number of days to flowering and to dry-seed harvesting was used to classify varieties as early (Amarela-cearense, Olho-de-peixe and Orelha-de-vo), intermediate (Boca-de-moca, Branquinha, Mororo and Olho-de-ovelha) and late (Raio-de-sol). The varieties Amarela-cearense, Boca-de-moca, Branquinha, Mororo, Olho-de-ovelha and Olho-de-peixe are the most promising for planting in the dry season with supplemental irrigation.