Beans:Guidelines
GUIDELINES: BEAN PRODUCTION
Contents
STATISTICS
OUTLINE OF MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
Cultural_Management
_____ Rotate with a small grain, field or sweet corn, or forage crop. _____ Minimum three years away from field crops or soybeans, longer depending on field history of root rot and white mold. _____ Test soil every third year or prior to bean crop. _____ Fertilize according to test results and crop requirements. _____ Maintain records of tests and fertilizer applications. _____ Site-specific soil sampling and application of lime and fertilizer. _____ Plant certified western grown seed, preferably from an arid climate. _____ Calibrate seeder for seed size to obtain proper plant population. _____ Conduct final stand count and compare to seed population. _____ Evaluate causes of stand loss 2-3 weeks after planting. _____ Test for soil compaction problems. _____ Subsoil or rotate with a sod crop to improve tilth and repair compaction.
Pesticide Management
_____ Use approved and registered pesticides according to label. _____ Maintain application records including date, location, applicator, target pest, pesticide name, EPA registration number, formulation, rate and number of acres treated are maintained. _____ Calibrate all sprayers at the start of the season. _____ Minimize pesticide drift. _____ Develop and implement a resistance management plan. _____ Select pesticides which will preserve natural enemies of pests. _____ Use separate sprayers for herbicides and insecticides. _____ Check sprayer(s) calibration at least once during the season. _____ Recalibrate each sprayer as needed. _____ Maintain records of planting dates for treated fields. _____ Keep records of stage of crop of treated field. _____ Use water-sensitive spray cards to test coverage of leaf surfaces.
Insect_Pest_Management
_____ Scout "SUSPECT INSECTS" .. Seedling Pests .. Cutworms .. Darkling Beetle .. Seedcorn Maggot .. Foliage Pests .. Aphids .. Armyworms .. Corn Earworm .. Cucumber Beetles .. Empoasca Leafhoppers .. Leafminers .. Loopers .. Saltmarsh Caterpillar .. Silverleaf Whitefly .. Spider Mites .. Thrips .. Pod Pests .. Lygus Bugs .. Stink Bugs .. Weevils
_____ Rely on scouting and economic thresholds to determine treatment needs. _____ Use seed treated with insecticide and fungicide for protection from seed maggots and diseases. _____ Manage foliar feeding insects through the use of scouting and foliar applications. _____ Avoid soil-applied insecticide at planting. _____ Test use of available biological seed treatments. _____ Keep records of pest densities and all control measures used.
Disease_Pest_Management
_____ Till crop residue under to speed breakdown and reduce carryover of disease inoculum. _____ Establish cover crop, keeping field history of disease in mind when choosing cover crop. _____ Keep records of root rot type and severity, and control of measures used.
Weed_Pest_Management
_____ Scout "SUSPECT WEEDS" .. barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) .. bindweed, field (Convolvulus arvensis) .. canarygrasses (Phalaris spp.) .. foxtail, yellow (Setaria pumila) .. goosefoot, nettleleaf (Chenopodium murale) .. groundcherries (Physalis spp.) .. johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) .. knotweed (Polygonum spp.) .. lambsquarters, common (Chenopodium album) .. lettuce, prickly (Latcuca serriola) .. mallow, little; cheeseweed (Malva parviflora) .. mustards (Brassica spp.) .. nettles (Urtica spp.) .. nightshade, black (Solanum nigrum) .. nightshade, hairy (Solanum sarrachoides) .. nutsedge, yellow (Cyperus esculentus) .. oat, wild (Avena fatua) .. pigweeds (Amaranthus spp.) .. puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) .. purslane, common (Portulaca oleracea) .. shepherd's-purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) .. smartweed, water (Polygonum amphibium var. emersum) .. sowthistle (Sonchus spp.) .. thistle, Russian (Salsola tragus) .. tomatillo (Physalis philadephica) .. velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)
_____ Scout for weeds after harvest. _____ Map out weed patches, maintain weed history and weed maps. _____ Use these data in choosing appropriate control strategies. _____ Choose weed control strategies based on scouting information. _____ Identify weeds by species and size to determine the need for a post-emergent herbicide, the most appropriate material and application rate. _____ Time post-emergent weed control according to crop stage, weed species and size. _____ Cultivate to control escaped weeds.
Weather and Crop Monitoring
_____ Monitor weather and crop parameters _____ Keep daily records.
Date: - Min/max temperatures: - Rainfall: - Hours of leaf wetness: - Stage of tree development (by cultivar, weekly):
CROP DEVELOPMENT
=Stages
Beans are divided into four stages of development: germination and stand establishment, rapid vegetative growth, flowering and pod development, and pod fill and maturation. During the germination and stand establishment phase, the seedling emerges and three nodes will be visible on the main stem. During rapid vegetative growth, branches develop in leaf axes at each node and a new node develops every three days. During flowering, the blossoms appear at the nodes and pods develop to a length of 5-6 inches. As the pods fill and mature, the oldest pods will have developed seeds and the leaves on the plant will begin to turn yellow. At maturity, 80% of the pods are yellow and mostly ripe and can be harvested one week later.
Dry bean root systems (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Rhizobial nodules (M. A. Brick; Colorado State University)
Rhizobial nodules on bean roots (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Albino bean seedling (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
GROWTH REQUIREMENTS
The dry matter production is slow in the early stages of growth because the plants are small, but as the growth rate picks up so will the dry matter volume. Approximately 56-70 days after planting, 60% of the maximum dry matter is produced and fills the seeds.
Nutrient Uptake
Between 56-70 days after planting, about 60% of the nitrogen and phosphorus is used in the plant. Most of the phosphorus is found in the pod and both nitrogen and phosphorus will move into the seed as it matures. Early in the season the nutrient uptake may exceed the growth rate but will gradually decline and the growth rate will be greater. Fertilizer should be applied two inches to the side and two inches below the seed so that it does not damage the seed.
Soil
Beans grow best in well-drained silty loam soils. They are very sensitive to excess water that will injure bean plants and encourage disease. Organic matter can be added to improve some types of soil.
Climate
Climatic conditions play an important rote in the success of the crop. Beans do not like excessive moisture conditions such as prolonged high humidity or excessive irrigation. Generally 10-16 inches of water is needed during the growing season. However, moisture stress or high temperatures at blossom time will reduce pod set and overall yield.
Tillage Practices
Soil preparation is important in beans for optimum root growth and water penetration. This can be done through proper tillage and maintaining a smooth and level field. Bean roots are relatively shallow compared with other crops and consideration should be taken when watering so that the top 18 inches receive the proper amount of irrigation. The soil should be fertile enough to provide the necessary nutrients that the plants need. Methods of tillage vary among bean producers, but should be designed to obtain optimum production from the specific soil and environmental conditions in the field. Finally, tillage operations that minimize soil compaction should be selected since excessive compaction inhibits root growth and water penetration.
Diamond-point shanks for shallow ripping of compacted soils (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Soil penetrometer, compaction in bean field (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
PLANTING
Planting depth should be 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep when moisture levels are sufficient and the soil temperatures are approximately 65°F, but it is best to check the local area conditions. Generally speaking, plants spaced 3-4 inches apart in rows that are 22-28 inches wide will obtain high yields. These measurements may vary according to the bean variety. Only high quality, certified seed that has been treated with pesticides should be used in order to avoid problems with fungi, bacteria, insects, and seed-borne pathogens.
Beans planted directly into corn stubble (C. H. Pearson; Colorado State University)
FERTILIZING
Beans respond positively to very fertile soils and will produce high yields in such soils. In general, when beans follow a crop that has been well fertilized, the carryover usually supplies enough nutrients for top yields. Nitrogen and phosphorus are the two nutrients that beans rely upon for top yields and the soil should be tested to make sure the plants receive proper fertilization.
Nitrogen (N)
Beans have nitrogen fixing nodules on their roots and do not require large amounts, if any, extra nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilizer is generally not needed if dry beans follow a crop that has been well fertilized. Excess nitrogen can also encourage too much vine growth, delay maturity, and increase disease and insect damage.
Phosphorus (P)
Dry beans will respond to applied phosphorus if soil test levels are low.
Potassium (K)
If soil tests show potassium levels over 120 ppm, beans do not show a response to the increased amounts.
Zinc (Zn)
Beans are sensitive to zinc deficiencies. They generally occur in soils where the topsoil has been removed, soils low in organic matter, or soils with a pH greater than 7.0.
Iron (Fe)
Iron deficiency usually occurs in areas of high soil pH, calcium carbonate, and low organic matter. Cool, wet springs usually increase the chances of iron chlorosis, but as the soils warm up and lose moisture, the chlorosis disappears.
Other Micronutrients and Sulfur
Deficiencies can occur with other micronutrients, so the soil should be closely monitored.
Salinity
Beans are extremely sensitive to saline conditions so the soil and irrigation water should be managed properly to avoid salt accumulation. A high salt content in the soil will cause some damage to the plants and possibly reduce yields.
IRRIGATION
In many areas, beans need to be irrigated because there is not enough rainfall to support the crop. Eighty-five percent of the water used by the plant will be found in the top 18 inches of the soil. When this region reaches 50% moisture, then irrigation water should be applied to bring the top 12-18 inches to field capacity. Proper moisture levels affect flowering and pod development.
Center-pivot sprinkler irrigation system (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Furrow irrigation system (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Graphic - bean irrigation (M. S. McMillan; Colorado State University)
Graphic - bean irrigation (M. S. McMillan; Colorado State University)
Surge irrigation system (H. R. Duke; Colorado State University)
HARVESTING
Harvesting involves four stages: undercutting the plant root just below the soil surface, rodding to lift plants above the soil surface and remove soil clumps, windrowing the individual rows, and combining the windrow to separate the seeds. The moisture content levels are critical during harvest to avoid losses and damaged seed. The optimal level is when the seeds' moisture content is 40-50%. It is advised to cut and windrow the crop in the morning when the plants are moist to reduce losses from shattering. A good bean combine has a variable speed drive, a windrow pickup, adequate clearance, a tailings return system, a concave grate to keep beans away from the threshing zone, and screens in the separator. The direct harvest method for dry beans has been successful and employs a combine equipped with a cutter-head to harvest the beans directly out of the field, thereby eliminating the need to cut, rod and windrow. Bean fields which are to be directly harvested are often planted using narrow row spacing or in solid stands.
Combining the bean crop (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Direct harvesting the bean crop (J. A. Smith; Colorado State University)
Knifing the bean crop (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Rodding the bean crop (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Windrowing the bean crop (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Method to Estimate Bean Yields
It is possible to estimate the yield to 1/1000th of an acre by randomly selecting 5-10 plants from 5-10 locations within the field. Pull and count the pods and seeds from each plant in all locations and calculate the average number of plants per 1/1000th of an acre as follows:
Yield Estimate Calculation:
Row Length Measurement (to equal 1/1000th Acre):
22 inch wide row - count plants in 24 feet of row length
30 inch wide row - count plants in 17 feet of row length
36 inch wide row - count plants in 15 feet of row length
POST-HARVEST PROCEDURES
It is important that harvested beans are at proper seed moisture content to maintain high quality from the field to the package and avoid problems such as cracked beans and slipped skins. The beans should be handled carefully so they will store well. They should not be dropped long distances; the use of conveyor belts helps to reduce seed damage. The belts should run at low speeds to prevent riding and grinding of the beans. Beans need to be stored in dry facilities where they will be protected from contamination from rodents, insects, temperatures, or chemicals. There should also be good air movement to prevent humidity from accumulating.
CROP ROTATION
Crop rotation must be carefully planned and may depend on the following factors, herbicide carryover and compatibility, soil compaction from the previous crop, crop residue, soil fertility, volunteer crops and weed pressure, insect and disease pressure, and wind erosion. Beans can be rotated with a variety of crops that include sugar beets, barley, alfalfa, corn, and wheat. It is advised to allow two to three years between bean crops and to avoid planting beans in the same field year after year. The methods of cultivation vary among all the rotating crops, but each should break the soil crust, help control weeds, improve soil aeration, and improve furrows for irrigation.
SEEDS
Before planting, a specific market class of beans should be selected based on the demand, availability, cost of production, yields, and overall profit. The cultural practices and management of each market class vary so it is wise to choose the best variety for the situation. Seed quality is determined by germination, mechanical and variety purity, and freedom from infestation of seed transmitted pathogens. Bean varieties have a range of growth habits including bush, upright, semi-upright, and vine. Each have different schedules for flowering and maturing.
<IW{icon}{i 0 0 }{graphics\v_bean.bmp]]
Adzuki bean seeds (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Anasazi bean seeds (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Andean bean race mixture (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
16-bean mixture (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Baby Lima Bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Black Bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Black bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Black carioca bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Calima bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Cranberry Bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Cranberry bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Diagram of bean seed (?; Colorado State University)
Flor de mayo bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Small Red Bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Small red bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Swedish brown bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
USDA bean seed grades (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Yelloweye Bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Yelloweye bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Garbanzo (Chickpea) (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Garden snap bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Great Northern Bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Great northern bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Large Lima Bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Large lima bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Lentils (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Lentil (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Light red kidney bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Light red kidney seeds, different stages of maturity (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Manzano bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Mung bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Navy Bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Navy bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Nuna bean, post-popped (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Nuna bean, pre + post-popped (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Nuna bean, pre-popped (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Nuna bean - reddish purple (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Nuna bean - speckled (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Nuna bean - tan (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Phaseolus acutifolius - opaque (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Phaseolus acutifolius - shiny (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Phaseolus acutifolius - white (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Phaseolus acutifolius - yellow (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Phaseolus coccineus - speckled (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Phaseolus coccineus - white bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Pink Bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Pink bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Pinto Bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Pinto bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Red Kidney Bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
White kidney bean (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Bean seed testing procedures (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
MICS. PHOTOS
Wild P. coccineus (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Wild P. coccineus (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Wild P. coccineus - La Tigra (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Wild P. coccineus - La Tigra (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Wild P. coccineus - La Tigra (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Early-season protection with copper-based bactericide ( + M. S. McMillan; Colorado State University)
Flowers of P. coccineus (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Flowers of P. coccineus (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Fungicide preparation for plot application (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
- 100 % (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
- 60 % (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
- 70 % (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
- 80 % (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
- 90 % (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Adaxial surface of healthy dry bean leaf (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Bactericide application to bean plots - Burlington (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Bean canopy cover - 50 % (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Bean debris + seed (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Bean root washing for Rhizobial nodulation (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Bean seedling inoculation with Fusarium wilt in greenhouse (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
Vacuum infiltration of bean seed (H. F. Schwartz; Colorado State University)
