Plan Before Planting!

No-till soybeans have proven very successful, so why not white beans? This question is being raised by successful no-till soybean growers that want to try white beans. Here are some points to consider:

Soil Conditions

• Good soil structure is the most important factor in white bean production. Sandy-loam and loam soil work best, but clay-loam soils can also work.
• Fields should be well drained.
• Soil compaction is a major concern in edible bean production. Wet soil conditions last fall increased the amount of compaction damage. No-till planting into compacted wheel tracks, without some tillage, will lead to uneven emergence. Probe soils for compaction before planting.
• Fields must to be level for even seed depth placement and harvest.
• Greatest success has been achieved following corn. Following cereals can work, provided good residue management is practiced. Slugs can be a problem in heavy residue situations.
• Select fields with the lowest weed pressure. Weed control options in edible beans are limited.

No-till beans need tillage

• White beans have a poor root system compared to soybeans. No-till white beans usually benefit from in-row tillage at planting to create a good seed-bed and promote root growth.

Variety Selection

• Select an upright variety. No-till white bean plants are slightly shorter, and mature about a day later than conventional tillage beans.

Seeding

• Seedbed is everything! Uneven emergence results in uneven ripening, delayed harvest and immature beans that increase the 'pick'. Planting depth is controlled by the depth of tillage coulters. Many poor stands are the result of not planting into moisture.
• Highest yields are obtained from beans that emerge in less than a week.
• Roll or pack fields after planting to level the field, press down small stones, and to flatten corn stalks
• Optimum row width is 15"-22". Narrower rows increase the risk of white mould. In wider rows the seeding rate results in more beans per foot of row which aids emergence.
• Use good quality seed, free of anthracnose. If seed is not treated, seed treatments containing diazinon, lindane and a fungicide (B-3, DL Plus) are required to give protection from seedcorn maggot, wireworms and seedling blights does not control anthracnose. Most seed comes treated with DCT, providing control of anthracnose, seedling blights and insect suppression. Treating with B-3 improves insect control.
• Fields should have medium fertility levels. Beans respond more to fertile soil, than to applied fertilizer, except on low testing soils.

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