Four experiments were conducted in the Tietê and Tatuí counties, State of São Paulo, to study the effect of several fertilizers on the yield of dry beans. Phosphorus showed no effect in two areas repeatedly fertilized with NPK, but increased considerably the yields either in a poor virgin soil or in a soil moderately fertilized in the previous crop. Nitrogen induced increases in two localities and potassium in one. The addition of sulfur and micro-nutrients (Zn, Cu, B and Mo) depressed the yield in one trial and showed no effect in the others. Although the soils were acid (pH 5.0 to 5.6), the response to liming was appreciable only in one locality.