Three trials were carried out in a municipality of the state of Minas Gerais of mild winter to study the viability of rice bean cultivation in fall-winter season. Trials were installed in Leopoldina on the following dates: May 3, 1996; April 18, 1997; and May 11, 1998. Twelve genotypes of rice bean were used; one cultivar of common bean was also included for comparison. A randomized complete-block design with 4 replications was used. Plants were sprinkler irrigated and insecticide was applied when necessary. Rice bean life cycles varied from 99 to 111 days (from emergence to harvest), while common bean life cycles varied around 90 days. No foliar disease was observed on rice bean plants. Yields ranged from 1164 (May 11) to 2261 kg ha-1 (April 18). Rice bean yielded as much as common bean. One concluded that the cultivation of rice bean [Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi & Ohashi] in fall-winter in regions of mild winter is viable.
Vigna umbellata; yield; 100-seed weight; life cycle
