Abstract ‘Fordhook 242’ lima beans ( Phaseolus lunatus L.) were grown in 1973-1974 with 16 fertilizer treatments and 2 plant stands (11 and 16 plants/m) at 0.96 m row width. Soils used were low in P and Mg, medium in K and high in Ca. Banded fertilizer treatments were 28 or 56 kg/ha of N, P, K, and Mg in various combinations, 5 N sources compared at 56-56-0 kg/ha, and 2 commercial fertilizers, 18-46-0 and 8-24-8. With an increase in plant stand from 11 to 16 plants/m of row, vine growth was increased and maturity was delayed but yield of marketable beans was not influenced. Yields were increased an average of 74% by 6 treatments at or close to 56-56-0 kg/ha with and without K when compared to check. N sources, P and K all affected maturity. Urea, (NH4) 2 SO 4 , and NH 4 NO 3 resulted in higher yields than Ca(NO 3 ) 2 and NaNO 3 primarily by hastening maturity. Leaf concentrations of Ca and Mg were enhanced by P and all N sources while leaf K was lowered. Applied K depressed leaf Mg. Thus when both K and Mg were added to NP treatment, Mg leaf concentration was not changed.
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Cyril B. Smith (1980) studied this question.