Daryl Domitruk1, Peter Entz2 and Jack Moes2

1 Manitoba Zero Tillage Research Association 2 Manitoba Agriculture

PROBLEM:

Edible bean production has been a profitable enterprise for some producers. However, the current system of growing beans requires intensive tillage and capital expense. The need for interrow cultivation to control weeds and the proximity of the bean pods to the soil surface require investment in a row crop planter and undercutting harvesting equipment. In addition, beans require higher heat and water than that which is available in most locations on the prairie. Farmers outside of the traditional growing areas, particularly no-till farmers, have been unable to grow beans. In two studies we assessed the possibility of a no-till method of bean production.

STUDY DESCRIPTION:

Study #1 In 1994 five cultivars and nineteen advanced breeding lines were evaluated in a small plot study. This study was part of the western narrow-row coop trials. Data were collected on days to emergence, days to canopy closure, days to maturity, pod height and yield.

Study #2 In 1995 a 3-replicate study comparing row spacings of 7.5, 15 and 22.5" was conducted. Envoy white beans were sown in 15'X 275' plots. Data wer e collected on plant population and seed yield.

	Study # 1	Study # 2
Seeding Date	May 28	May 27
Seeding depth	3 inches	211
Seeding Method	Solid seeded on 8" row spacing	Solid seeded with JD 750 no-till drill
Fertilizer	381b/ac 11-52-0 w/seed 671b/ac 11-52-0 b'cast	301b/ac 11-51-0 601b/ac34-0-Ob'cast
Previous residue	wheat 2 yrs	wheat 3 yrs
Preseeding	harrow	burn
Herbicides	Poast, Basagran	Edge fall no incorp. Pursuit Roundup pre-harvest
Harvest	Straight combine	Swath ahead of combine
Weather	Cool and wet	Hot and dry
Both trials received Roundup prior to seeding.

MAJOR FINDINGS:

Study #1 Beans were slow to emerge and develop under the cool temperatures which prevailed. Many of the selections in the test matured only by virtue of an extended autumn. Nevertheless, several selections matured within 107-110 days indicating that shorter seasoned cultivars may become available. Of the selections with a realistic maturity period, small plot yields ranged from 1545 to 2062 lb./acre. Depending on the selection, the number of pods less than 2" from the soil surface ranged from 20-30 percent to 70-80 percent.

Days to Days to Yield

Emerge full canopy lb/acre

Table 1. Mean values for variables examined over twenty-four bean breeding selections.
	Days to emerge	Days to full canopy	Yield lb/acre
Mean	13.7	49.8	2055
Variety Differences	Yes	Yes	Yes

MAJOR FINDINGS:

Study #2 The study was harvested at full maturity on September 22. Yields and plant populations were reduced by drought and heat stress. Row spacings narrower than 22.5" resulted in more plants and higher yields. Row spacing had no effect on weed interference, or maturity. Disease was low. Harvest losses were approximately 20 percent when the crop was swathed in the direction of seeding but were negligible when swathing was at a 900 angle to the direction of seeding.

row spacing plants/m2 lb./acre

Table 2. Mean values for plant population and yield in solid seeded beans.
row spacing	plants/m(2)	lbs/acre
7.5"	75	809
15"	74	816
22.5"	53	781

APPLIED QUESTIONS:

Will new cultivars of edible bean decrease the risk associated with bean production in non-traditional areas?

One major impediment to bean production is growing season. Five out of twenty-four selections tested could be grown in the Brandon area based on their maturity of 107-111 days. Only one selection, Upland, is currently registered. This is encouraging since the trial was conducted during an unusually cool and wet season. The cultivar Envoy, known to possess early maturity, was grown in 1995 and easily reached maturity under hot, dry conditions.

Can edible beans be no-till sown and harvested using conventional equipment?

No-till sowing of beans has also proved to be feasible. Burning the previous crop residue aids in heat transfer to the plant but is generally considered a questionable practice. It is not known if this is necessary. Bean production on narrow rows also proved to be feasible. In fact, in order to swath the crop a narrow row with a high plant population is probably necessary. Swathing the crop prior to harvest avoids soil erosion and eliminates the need for undercutting equipment. However, harvest losses of 20 percent can be expected. To reduce harvest losses while retaining crop cleanliness it is necessary to swath at an angle.