Common bean (white bean) is a major crop in Albania used as a staple for the high protein content. Over last few years the production has significantly declined due to heat and drought stress during the maturity. Since diverse cultivars with various maturities are grown, the effects of stress are differentiated.
A better understanding of basics of plant physiology would be helpful in terms of the explanation of physiological internal mechanisms and different yield potential of diverse common bean cultivars.
Considering that, three cultivars which represent two different biological types have been tested. Based on the accumulation of the plant dry matter and leaf area during the different developmental stages, some physiological indexes of the growth are calculated. Referring to our data, during the plant cycle Shijak and Cocoblank have similar index of leaf area. But, at the end of life cycle Cocoblank has higher leaf area index.
This is due to late growth and erect plant type. Also it has higher yielding ability than Shijak, but the crop yield is lower due to heat stress.
Even though both cultivars accumulate similar dry matter, Shijak has a high rate for the distribution of the dry matter. So, it has higher efficiency of the dry matter utilisation. Cocoblank is not longer suitable for growing in the coastal part of Albania, but it can be grown in other regions which have a temperate climate, especially towards the end of maturity. | 
