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Dry Edible Bean Yield as Influenced by Row Spacing
The impact of plant density on dry edible bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production is important to growers for varied reasons. Knowledge of impacts from different densities is important to traditional growers looking to optimize yield along with those who may produce dry beans using non-traditional planting and harvest equipment. Field trials at Carrington in 1999 and 2000 evaluated the influence of different plant densities on indeterminate upright (Type II) cultivars "Mayflower" navy and "Shadow" black dry bean. Dry bean were planted in 7-and 30-inch row spacings and at seeding rates of 90,000, 105,000 and 120,000 plants acre -1.
The 1999 and 2000 growing seasons were favorable for dry bean production. The plentiful precipitation received in July and August of each year was well distributed and coincided with the critical reproductive growth period of dry bean in the region. The two cultivars selected had a similar response to the row spacing and seeding rates evaluated in this study.
Seed yield was not influenced by the seeding rate treatments used in this experiment. The magnitude of seeding rate difference (30,000 plants acre -1) used in this experiment was not great. The tendency by growers and consulting agronomists has been to recommend a moderate increase in the standard seeding rate of 90,000 plants acre -1 for dry beans planted in solid or narrow row spacing. Data from this experiment indicates that this seeding rate adjustment is not necessary to optimize seed yield. Dry beans have a high degree of plasticity that allows for adjustments among the plants' yield components to changes in density. The data indication that a seeding rate of 90,000 plants acre-1 is sufficient to optimize yield will allow growers to conserve input costs rather than spend funds for additional seed at planting.
Source: NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center, 2000 Crop and Livestock Review. B.G. Schatz, S.F. Zwinger and G.J. Endres
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