Snap Bean Pod Quality as Affected by Cultivar and Harvest

Abstract

Sieve size distribution has long been used as the index for snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) crop maturity and subsequent harvest. The development of new cultivars exhibiting high pod quality has led to a need to use criteria other than sieve size as a measurement of maturity. Pod characteristics of these new cultivars vary from slim, small sieve pods for some cultivars to large sieve pods for other cultivars. Seven snap bean cultivars were evaluated for yield and pod quality characteristics at different harvest maturities at Crossville, TN, in 1986 and 1987. Each characteristic that was evaluated differed significantly among cultivars. Tender-podded processing type cultivars retained quality in the field longer than the more fibrous fresh-market cultivars. Yield increased as harvest was delayed, but declined at the last harvest date. Pod clustering, broken pods, percentage of pod passing no. 5 sieve, length of seed in pods, and pod firmness increased as harvest was delayed. Seed length was negatively correlated with yield and positively correlated with percentage seed in pods, pod firmness, and the Hunter “L” color value. Seed length appeared to be a good single index of maturity.