This research was carried out to evaluate the responses of snap bean 'Macarrão Trepador' cultivated under different P2O5 levels. An experiment was carried out using a randomized blocks design with four replications in a soil classified as Neossolo Regolítico Typical Psamítico, in Areia, Paraiba State, Brazil, from May to September/2002. The P2O5 levels applied were 0; 100; 200; 300 and 400 kg ha-1. The plot consisted of 60 plants, with spacings of 1.00 m x 0.20 m. The maximum number of pods in a plant (22 pods) was obtained using 267 kg ha-1 of P2O5 level. The maximum estimated value of the production of pods (30.13 t ha-1) was obtained at the level of 252 kg ha-1 of P2O5. However, the most economic level was reached with 231 kg ha-1 of P2O5, which produced 30 t ha-1 of pods. The P2O5 levels resulting in the maximum production and economic return of pods were correlated respectively, with 54 and 51 mg dm-3 of available P obtained with Melich 1, extractor. The probability of response of the snap bean to the phosphate fertilization in similar soils will be minimized if the level of available P in the soil was superior to 51 mg dm-3. A decreasing linear function was verified for the fiber content, with reduction of 0.0004% of fiber for each kg of P2O5, applied to the soil, with maximum value (1.1%) and minimum (0.94%) under the levels zero and 400 kg ha-1 of P2O5, respectively. For the type of soil utilized in the present study, the application of 231 kg ha-1 of P2O5 is recommended for the fertilization of snap beans.
Phaseolus vulgaris L.; nutrition; quality; yield
