A field experiment was established in Mexico to evaluate the effect of zero and minimum tillage and herbicide application (linuron + alachlor, bentazone, and EPTC + paraquat) on bean (Phaseolus) nodulation and yield. The number of plant nodules did not vary between the tillage systems. Nodule weight, biomass production and seed yield were 2.4, 1.4 and 1.8 times higher in zero tillage than minimum tillage, respectively. The herbicides had no effect on nodulation. In zero tillage the seed yield was higher with a linuron + alachlor application, while with minimum tillage no difference was noted between the herbicide treatment and the control. These results show that tillage affects bean nodulation capacity and yield, and suggests a higher stability of symbiotic N fixation in zero tillage, without any damage to bean nodulation when the valuated herbicides are applied. Inglés