A greenhouse pot experiment on chernozem soil was conducted to examine the effects of nitrogen and sulphur fertilisation on the yield, ripening, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, potassium content, and N/S ratio of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Four levels of nitrogen (0.36; 0.66; 0.96; 1.27 g pot-1) in combination with three levels of sulphur (0.043; 0.085; 0.170 g pot-1 S) were tested as treatments.

Results indicated that significant response to yield was observed for application of N, S fertilization. N fertilization increased the fresh weights of bean pods significantly, but the highest N dose (1.27g N/pot) delayed the ripening of bean. In the pots with low S supply (S1) in combination with highest N dose (N4), the nitrate content of plants increased and at higher sulphur levels (S2, S3) these values - in spite of the high N dose - were also lower.

As the sulphur supply increased, the negative effect of the highest nitrogen dose on bean quality decreased. The highest fresh weights of bean pods were measured in the pots with N4S2 treatment. The N and S treatments altered the N/S ratio of plant, especially that of leaves. As the N supply increased, the phosphorus and potassium content of bean plant increased, but the S supply did not influence these values.

Keywords: nitrogen, sulphur, nutrient supply, green bean