Dry Edible Beans: Planting and Crop Development

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Pub 811: Agronomy Guide > Dry Edible Beans > Planting and Crop Development

Excerpt from Agronomy Guide for Field Crops
Order OMAFRA Publication 811: Agronomy Guide for Field Crops

Seed Quality

Using high-quality, pedigreed seed from inspected fields is important for early season vigour and reducing the risk of seed-borne disease. Common bacterial blight, anthracnose and bean common mosaic virus can be serious seed-borne diseases some years. Ensure that seed is free from mechanical injury and weather damage. Almost all coloured bean seed (except black bean seed) is imported from arid growing regions in the U.S. where there is a low incidence of bacterial blight and anthracnose. White and black bean seed may originate from pedigreed seed production in Ontario or the U.S. All seed should be tested for germination. See Appendix F, Ontario Laboratories Offering Custom Seed Germination Testing. Poor-quality seed, including mechanically damaged seed, can result in reduced germination and vigour, uneven emergence, stunting or even "bald-headed" plants (plants without true leaves). Handle seed gently by:

• minimizing the distance seed falls
• using brush augers and conveyors
• being aware of seed moisture, since seed with low moisture (<16%) is more prone to mechanical damage and slightly slower emergence

Planting Date

Table 5-1, Planting Date Guidelines, displays the guidelines for planting dates according to geographic regions.

The highest yields are obtained by planting within these planting dates. The planting date of coloured beans is dependent upon both variety and the number of crop heat units. Check with the seed distributor for variety-specific planting recommendations.

¹ Adjust seeding rates for germination percent and expected percent emergence.
² Seeding rate of 369,000 viable seeds/ha (150,000 seeds/acre).
³ Seeding rate of 272,000 viable seeds/ha (110,000 seeds/acre).
⁴ Seeding rate of 222,000 viable seeds/ha (90,000 seeds/acre).

Dry edible beans are less vigorous than soybeans and for this reason need to be planted when soil conditions are warm and moist, ensuring quick, uniform emergence. The ideal soil temperature for germination is above 15.5°C. At temperatures below 13°C, emergence will be slower, increasing the risk of damage from herbicide injury, soil crusting and root rot. Planting within the appropriate dates will allow the crop to avoid hot, dry weather during flowering and ensure a timely harvest. Dry edible beans are less able to adapt to a shorter growing season from late planting than soybeans. Under late planting conditions, carefully consider when dry edible beans will mature before continuing to plant.

Seeding Rates

Edible bean seed size varies greatly. Check to ensure that the planter is calibrated properly to plant the correct number of seeds per metre of row. Table 5-2, Seeding Rates for White Beans, displays the seeding rates for white beans according to row width. Seeding rates should be adjusted for seed quality and germination, field conditions and field history.

Seeding rates for coloured beans are shown in Table 5-3, Coloured Bean Seeding Rate. For large-seeded coloured beans, the recommended seeding rate is 11.5-16.4 seeds/m (3.5-5 seeds/ft) in 53-76 cm (21-30 in.) rows. For specifics on seeding rates, consult with the seed supplier.

¹ Suggested seeding rates vary significantly between market classes. Check with seed distributor for recommended rates. Seed sizes can vary between lots; check the seed tag for seeds/kg (seeds/lb).

In conditions where reduced emergence is a risk, increase seeding rates by up to 10%. High-risk conditions could include seeding into heavy soil, late or very early planting, deeper plantings or expected seedling loss from wireworm or seed corn maggot injury.

Seeding rate can be calculated using seeds/lb found on seed tag with the following formula:

Seeding rate (kg/ha or lb/acre)
= desired final plant population ÷ seedling survival rate ÷ seeds per kg or per lb

Example: Cranberry beans
60,000 plants/acre desired
population
85% seedling survival
800 seeds/lb

Seeding rate
= 60,000 ÷ 0.85 ÷ 800
= 88 lb/acre

Seeding Depth

The seeding depth for dry edible beans is critical for uniform emergence. Frequently, poor stands are the result of not planting into moisture. Planting depth should be at least 1.2 cm (1/2 in.) into soil moisture. Uneven emergence results in uneven maturity. A seeding depth of 4-6 cm (11/2-21/2 in.) is normal, but deeper plantings of up to 9 cm (31/2 in.) may be necessary to seed into moisture. Beans planted deeper are more susceptible to crusting problems. Some older drills cannot provide accurate depth control. In these situations, a planter may be a better option. Seed drills should have gentle seed distribution devices, depth bands or depth gauge wheels and press wheels to ensure uniform seed placement and coverage. Rolling or packing a field prior to planting helps firm the seedbed and conserve moisture, and can help control planting depth when seeding with a drill. Packing after planting helps level out ridges, pushes down small stones and conserves moisture, however, it also makes the soil more susceptible to crusting.

Row Width

Row widths of 70-75 cm (28-30 in.) are standard for both white beans and coloured beans when the bean crop is to be pulled and windrowed. Narrow row widths of 36-56 cm (14-22 in.) are most suitable if the white bean crop is to be direct harvested. Row width trials with no-till white beans produced yields 14% higher in narrow row widths (i.e., less than 56 cm or 22 in.) compared to wide rows. In narrow rows, it is important to select white bean varieties with an upright plant type and good tolerance to white mould. The percentage of emergence may be greater in wide rows seeded with a corn planter than solid-seeded with a grain drill due to:

• more uniform and accurate seed depth placement
• better seed coverage
• more seeds per linear metre (foot) of row to push up through a surface crust, i.e., 16 seeds/m (5 seeds/ft) of row in 76-cm (30-in.) rows versus 10-13 seeds/m (3-4 seeds/ft) in 36-cm (14-in.) rows
• seeds not being planted in tractor-tire tracks

In narrow rows, emergence can be a problem for beans planted into tractor tracks. Some growers adapt equipment to harrow or cultivate between the tractor tires and the planter. The advent of rod pullers has enabled beans planted in 50-56-cm (20-22-in.) rows to be pulled and windrowed.

Inoculation

Inoculation trials with dry edible beans have shown no advantage to the use of inoculant.

Dealing With Soil Crusting

Heavy soil types may crust severely, particularly if hot, dry conditions bake the soil surface and inhibit bean emergence. Soil loosening and aeration may be required. There is no advantage to waiting once the crust has been identified. Waiting may increase the lack of uniformity of the stand. There is a point in time where it is better to have a lower, more uniform stand, than a stand with a higher population, but uneven. All of the following have been used successfully (and unsuccessfully) in breaking crusted soils:

• rotary hoe
• culti-packer
• coulter-carts
• no-till drill
• planter
• harrows

Typically the rotary hoe can reduce bean stands by 5%-10%, but the extra beans that emerge more than compensate for this reduction. Rotary hoeing during the "hook" stage of bean emergence will result in significant plant losses. Rotary hoeing during mid-day, when bean plants are more flaccid, or limp, will reduce plant damage. Adjust the equipment over a short distance and check that the percentage of bean plants buried or uprooted is less than 10%. It is normal for the crop to look a little "tough" following rotary hoeing. Target speed is 10-20 km/hr. Weed control will also be enhanced when uprooted weeds dry out in mid-day heat. Aim to start and stop abruptly at the end of the field to effectively control weeds.

Replant Decisions

The decision to replant can be one of the most difficult decisions for a producer to make. Stresses on the crop are additive and have a greater impact on dry edible beans than soybeans. For an adequate stand of dry edible beans, there should be a minimum of two-thirds-to-three-quarters of a full stand. Dry edible beans have a limited ability to branch and compensate.

Minimum number of healthy plants per foot or row should be 2-2.5 in 38-56-cm (15-22-in.) rows; 3-4 plants/ft in 76 cm (30 in.) rows and 1.5-2 plants/ft in 18 cm (7 in.) rows. (Based on good growing conditions, the good health of the remaining plants, a uniform stand and un-compacted soil.)

Before replanting, consider the cause of the poor stand, the date of replanting, the remaining population of healthy plants, plant uniformity and weed control needs. Cranberry beans generally perform better than white beans or other coloured beans under late-planting scenarios.

Plant Development

Dry beans vary considerably in their plant architecture from upright to prostrate. Most of the commonly grown bean-types have a semi-determinate growth habit, meaning they continue to grow once flowering begins and develop short to long vines, but not to the same extent as the indeterminate types. Determinate types tend to flower and ripen over a shorter period which makes them more susceptible to moisture and heat stress than indeterminate types, which flower over a longer period.

Determinate Type (Bush)

Determinate market types, such as cranberry beans and some early varieties, are more compact in growth. For varieties that are determinate in growth, the stem stops upward growth when terminal flowers develop on main stem or side branches. Market classes that are determinate (Type 1) include most cranberry, light and dark red kidney beans.

Indeterminate Type (Vine)

Most other bean types are indeterminate, where they continue to develop new growth on vines, even when flowering begins.

In addition to determinate and indeterminate plant types, the growth of beans is also identified as:

Type I - determinate bush growth habit, for example, most cranberry beans, very early white bean varieties.

Type II - upright short vine, narrow plant with 3-5 branches for example, most white, black, kidney, otebo varieties.

Type III - plants with weak main stem that produces a vine that is prostrate along the soil surface.

The vegetative and reproductive stages of dry bean growth are indicated in Table 5-4, Vegetative and Reproductive Growth Stages of Dry Beans. Vegetative stages are described by the number of trifoliates on the main stem. Trifoliates are counted when the edges of unfolding leaves no longer touch. Dry beans are normally self pollinated.