Snap Bean Cultivars Research Articles

Pectinesterase and D-Galacturonase Activities in Eight Snap Bean Cultivars

Abstract Moisture content and levels of pectin pectylhydrolase (PE) and poly (1,4-α-D-galacturonide) glycanohydrolase (PG) were evaluated for eight commercial cultivars of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) over four harvest periods. Moisture content varied from 80.8% to 91.7%. Cultivar and harvest period moisture contents differed significantly. PE activity ranged from 208 to 896 units/g dry pod tissue, and PG ranged from 7.1 to 16.6 units/g dry pod tissue. Lines chosen to represent firm-podded, canned snap bean types exhibited higher enzyme activity levels than soft-podded types.

Enhanced Mn accumulation by snapbean cultivars under FE stress

Abstract Iron deficiency in dicots is accompanied by an increased potential for Fe uptake and translocation. The mechanisms responsible for these changes in metabolism (Fe‐stress response) provide for the adaptation of Fe‐efficient genotypes to conditions which limit the availability of Fe. Previous studies indicated that when Fe‐stress response is initiated, the uptake of Mn, as well as Fe, is enhanced in Fe efficient species such as sunflower. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between Fe‐stress response and Mn uptake in snapbean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., cvs. Bush Blue Lake 290, Bush Blue Lake 274). The plants were grown in complete nutrient solutions containing 0.02 to 0.52 mg L‐1 Mn, at acid or alkaline pH. Iron stress was induced with 0.22 mg l‐1 Fe(EDDHA) (molar ratio 1:1 or 1:2), high P (14.3 mg L‐1) and excess CaCO3. Bush Blue Lake 290 ('BBL 290') was more sensitive than Bush Blue Lake 274 ('BBL 274') to Mn toxicity in acid (pH 5.2) nutrient solutions with adequate Fe. Un...

Acid Precipitation Effects on Growth and Yield Responses of Twenty Soybean and Twelve Snap Bean Cultivars

AbstractGreenhouse studies were conducted to determine the effects of simulated acid precipitation on growth, yield, and nutrient content of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Twenty cultivars of soybean and twelve cultivars of snap bean were grown in pots and treated with simulated precipitation at pH 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, or 5.6 (control). Soybean and snap bean plants were treated with simulated precipitation once a week beginning until fruit maturity. Soybean plants showed leaf scorching and yellowing of leaves at pH 2.5 and 3.5, whereas snap bean did not show any visible symptoms. Soybean and snap bean cultivars responded differently to acid precipitation treatments. ‘McNair 700’ and ‘Pioneer 5482’ soybean and ‘Commodore’ bush and ‘Provider’ bush snap bean cultivars yields were decreased significantly under acid treatments. Eighteen soybean and 10 snap bean cultivars were unaffected. In general, acid precipitation treatments resulted in a greater number of soybean pods without seed compared to the control. Treatments at pH 3.5 and 2.5 affected soybean and snap bean growth and yield more than the other pH levels. Potassium content of soybean shoot decreased significantly under acid precipitation treatments, whereas Ca, Mg, and micronutrient contents were not affected by low pH treatment. Nutrient content of snap bean was unaffected by acidity.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Production of Mechanically Harvested Snap Beans

Abstract Nine snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars were evaluated at N fertilization rates of 17 and 67 kg·ha−1 during 1984 and 1985. Plant lodging was more severe at the high-N rate than at the low rate in both years, and pod decay was more severe at the high-N rate in 1984. ‘Bush Blue Lake 47’ was the only cultivar among those tested that did not have more lodging at the high-N rate than at the low-N rate. ‘Flo’ was the only cultivar with higher yields at the high-N rate. The cultivars evaluated showed the most favorable yield and growth responses at the N rate of 17 kg·ha−1, which is lower than rates usually recommended for snap beans.

Influência da densidade de população sobre a produção em cultivares de feijão vagem (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) em porte baixo

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar o comportamento de um grupo de cultivares de feijão vagem de crescimento determinado, assim como a influência da densidade de população sobre a produção das mesmas, visnado cultura de mesa ou para indústria. Os cultivares usados foram: 'Contender', 'Tendercrop', 'Gallatin 50', 'Early Gallatin', 'Harvester' e 'Eagle'. Os melhores cultivares foram: 'Contender', 'Early Gallatin' e 'Tendercrop'. Destacou-se pela precocidade o 'Contender'. A produção de vagens por planta diminui com o aumento da população, porém, o rendimento por área aumentou com a densidade. Os mais altos rendimentos foram observados com 28 plantas por metro quadrado.

Aluminum tolerances of two snapbean cultivars related to organic acid content evaluated by high‐performance liquid chromatography

Abstract High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine aluminum (Al)‐induced changes in organic acid (OA) concentrations of Al‐tolerant ‘Dade’ and Al‐sensitive ‘Romano’ snapbean cultivars. Two week old ‘Dade’ and ‘Romano’ snapbean were grown in 1/5‐strength Steinberg nutrient solution for 10 days and then subjected to 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mg L‐1 Al treatments at pH 4.5 for an additional 3–15 days. Current studies confirmed earlier findings that the Dade cultivar was significantly more tolerant to Al than the Romano variety. Organic acid analyses were performed on extracts of root and leaf, and on stem exudates. The organic acids were separated on an ion exclusion column using a mobile phase of 0.01 N H3PO4. Individual OA were quantified with a variable wavelength detector operating at 210 nm. Aluminum stress tended to reduce the concentrations of citric, malonlc, malic, glycolic, fumaric, and acetic acids in the roots and increased the OA concentrations in stem exudates. In the presence or absence of Al stress, the Al tolerant Dade cultivar contained higher OA concentrations than did the Al‐sensitlve Romano. Aluminum stress reduced total OA levels in root extracts from Al‐sensltive Romano plants to a greater extent than in those of the Al‐tolerant Dade. Malic and citric acid concentrations were decreased more than those of the other organic acids examined. Results indicate that the Al‐tolerant Dade snapbean cultivar has a higher potential for Al‐chelation and detoxification than does the Al‐sensitive Romano. Hence, an Al‐chelation mechansism may be involved in differential Al tolerance within this species.

Role of Seed Mineral Content in the Occurrence of Transverse Cotyledon Cracking of Snap Bean

Abstract Seed calcium, magnesium, and potassium contents of 4 snap bean cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ‘Spartan Arrow’, ‘Astro’, ‘Avalanche’, and ‘Early Gallatin’) were studied in relation to degree of susceptibility to transverse cotyledon cracking (TVC). TVC index numbers ranged from a minimum of 13 (resistant) to a maximum of 111 (extremely susceptible). To determine whether seed Ca is related causally to TVC, seed Ca content was altered through foliar application of calcium polycarboxylate. Without supplemental Ca sprays, the seed Ca contents of the 4 cultivars varied from 17.3 to 24.7 μ eq/g. Calcium sprays increased seed Ca contents by up to 18%. In some instances, changes in the amounts of seed Ca were as great as the initial varietal differences in seed Ca content. The TVC indices of the cultivars remained unchanged, however, and multiple regression analyses indicated that seed Ca content was not significantly correlated with TVC (R2 = 0.014). In addition, no significant correlations were found between TVC and seed K contents or Ca to Mg ratios. On the other hand, a significant negative correlation occurred between seed Mg contents and degree of TVC (R2 = 0.298). This correlation, however, depended largely upon varietal differences in seed Mg content and may not represent a causal relationship with TVC. Varietal characteristics other than seed mineral content apparently account for differences in susceptibility to TVC.

The relationship between pod yield and specific leaf area in snapbeans; an example of stepwise multiv ariate analysis of variance

After a detailed (univariate) analysis of variance, stepwise multivariate analysis of variance (stepwise MANOVA) was used on the experimental data obtained from an investigation with snapbeans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.), carried out in the arid regions of Shambat (Sudan). The purpose of the experiment was to examine the relationship, if any, between pod yield and SLA for 3 snapbean cultivars and 4 sowing-dates. Four variables over plots were considered, viz. the yield earliness, the total yield, the SLA earliness and the average SLA. From a stepwise MANOVA, it appeared that the “cultivar” effect was primarily expressed by yield earliness and total yield. SLA earliness and average SLA provided no additional “cultivar” effect. Furthermore, the “sowing-date” effect could be expressed mainly by SLA earliness and yield earliness. Finally, the interaction effect played a minor part compared with the “sowing-date” and “cultivar” effect.

Genetic Shifts in Mixed Bean Populations. II. Effects of Regeneration1

Seed storage is the most commonly accepted form of long‐term germplasm preservation. Maintenance of the genetic integrity of seed populations during both seed storage and regeneration is an important aspect of this preservation process. Seeds of mixed and pure‐line populations of eight snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars were artificially aged and grown in the field to determine potential genetic shifts in the populations. After three cycles of seed regeneration the composition of unaged populations gradually shifted in favor of three cultivars (‘Black Valentine’, ‘Tendercrop’, and ‘Cherokee Wax’); while artificially aging seeds for 6 weeks at 32°C, 90% relative humidity, resulted in the total elimination of three cultivars (‘Kinghorn Wax’, Tendercrop, and ‘White Seeded Tendercrop’). Averaged over 3 years, Black Valentine had the highest seed yield/plant followed by Tendercrop and Cherokee Wax with ‘Bountiful’ having the lowest yield. Computer simulation of the effects of repeated cycles of regeneration of unaged seed populations predicted that Bountiful would be eliminated from the population after 5 cycles, assuming a sample size of 64 seeds for each cycle. Kinghorn Wax, ‘Spartan Arrow’ and ‘Landreth's Stringless Green Pod’ would be eliminated after 9, 10, and 15 cycles, respectively. Simulation of the combined effects of seed aging (to 50% viability) and regeneration resulted in a prediction that only two cultivars (Black Valentine and Cherokee Wax) would survive 15 cycles.

Effect of Phosfon D on the Amino Acid Content and Protein Quality of Two Snap Bean Cultivars

ABSTRACTTwo cultivars of snap beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L. were treated with soil applications of Phosfon D, a growth retardant, at 10−3M and 10−3M concentrations. Total nitrogen and ammo acids were determined on the bean pods of the two cultivars and in the treated pods. Cultivar and treatment differences in amino acid content were found. Phosfon D stimulated the synthesis of nonprotein nitrogen compounds in the cultivar Eagle and increased the synthesis of amino acids in the cultivar Nemasnap. Differences in the amino acids were not sufficiently large to change the protein quality in the snap beans. The limiting amino acid in the snap beans was methionine.

Influence of Cultivar and Plant Age on European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Infestation in Snap Bean

Nineteen cultivars of snap bean and wax bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L., were uniformly infested with egg masses of European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Huibner). A 5-fold difference in number of tunnels was found on the various cultivars. Cultivars differed in whether pod injuries or stem injuries predominated. Pod tunneling was most common on ‘Gold Crop’ and ‘Pillsbury 516’ and least common on ‘Sungold.’ Varietal differences in susceptibility to stem tunneling varied with plant age at time of infestation. Larval survival appeared to increase with age of the host plant at the time of egg hatch. Adult moths confined on four cultivars showed no ovipositional preferences. Newly hatched larvae bored into stems within 4 days, but were not found in the pods in the first 10 days.

Genetic Shifts in Mixed Bean Populations. I. Storage Effects1

A mixture containing equal numbers of seed of eight snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars was prepared to determine the effects of seed aging on genetic shifts in the population. The mixture was artificially aged to simulate long‐term storage using elevated storage temperatures and relative humidities/seed moisture contents. After seed aging, germination of each cultivar was regressed on the germination of the mixture to develop a series of equations which could be used to predict relative germination of the eight cultivars at any given level of germination for the mixture. Relative germination is defined as the ratio of the germination percentage of any cultivar to that of the highest germinating cultivar. At 50% mixture germination, the relative germination of the eight cultivars ranged from 1.00 (Cherokee Wax) to 0.49 (White Seeded Tendercrop). Computer simulation of the effects of repeated cycles of aging to reduce viability of the mixture to 50% predicted that four of the eight cultivars would be eliminated after eleven cycles, assuming a population size of 64 seeds for each cycle. The results of this experiment demonstrate the potential for loss in genetic variability within heterogeneous germplasm accessions during long‐term storage.

‘NemaSnap’ Snap Bean

Abstract ‘NemaSnap’ is the first bush snap bean cultivar with resistance to the southern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Ko-foid & White) Chitwood. ‘NemaSnap’ is a useful bean for home and market gardens infested with large populations of root-knot nematodes due to continuous cropping with susceptible vegetable species. ‘NemaSnap’ offers a viable alternative for those who may not wish to use nematicides or who may be unable to obtain effective, restricted-use nematicides.

Water Relations and Growth of Snap Beans as Influenced by Differential Irrigation

Abstract Two field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of differential irrigation on plant growth, development, and water status of 2 snap bean cultivars, ‘Oregon 1604’ and ‘Galamor’ (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Plants were grown at various irrigation levels ranging from a well-watered control to a dry treatment which received only one irrigation to establish plants. Measurements on plants sampled weekly at 6 times during the growing season showed that total plant dry weight, total leaf dry weight, total leaf area, average area per leaf, and number of leaves per plant were reduced by water deficits in both cultivars. Also, for both cultivars, total leaf area per plant was reduced more by a decrease in area per leaf than by a reduction in leaf number. Specific dry leaf weight was higher in the drier treatments. During each year, a significant difference between treatments occurred earlier in the season for total leaf area per plant than for total plant weight. At predawn, leaf water potential (ψ) always was more negative in the dry treatment than in the control. Early in the season, there was no significant difference in midday ψ between the control and dry treatment. Later, as soil water became limiting, the dry treatment had a more negative ψ than the control. Near the end of the season, after the dry treatment had been subjected to a long period of water stress, midday ψ was more negative in the control than in the dry treatment. Although some osmotic adjustment occurred in the dry treatment, leaf turgor potential (ψp) was generally lower than in the control throughout the day. As ψ decreased from early morning through midday, transpiration rates increased due to an increase in evaporative demand on the leaves. Leaf diffusive resistance also increased with decreasing ψ but a “threshold value” for stomatal closure was not demonstrated.

Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Common Bean1

Abstract The inheritance of male sterility was studied in germplasm of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) obtained from the Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), Cali, Colombia. The source was selected for plants with high pollen abortion rates (mean = 91%) and for failure to set any seed or pods by self-pollination when grown in screened greenhouses. These male-sterile plants were crossed with the snap bean ‘Sprite’, and the resulting F1 progenies were all male-sterile under greenhouse conditions. The F1 plants were backcrossed to ‘Sprite’ and the BC1 progenies did not segregate for male-fertile plants under field conditions. Four more backcrosses to ‘Sprite’ have produced progenies that were uniformly male-sterile. It was concluded that the CIAT source of male sterility is inherited through the maternal parent and is cytoplasmic. Nineteen commercial cultivars of snap beans and dry beans were crossed onto BC3 plants, and none of these genotypes restored the pollen fertility in F1 progeny.

Superoxide Dismutase

An experimental chemical N-[2-(2-oxo-1-imidazolidinyl)ethyl]-N'-phenylurea (EDU), is an effective protectant against acute and chronic foliar injury due to ozone (0(3)) when sprayed on intact leaves or supplied to the plants through soil application. An 0(3)-sensitive snap bean cultivar (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ;Bush Blue Lake 290') was systemically treated with EDU (0, 25, 50, and 100 milligrams per 15-centimeter diameter pot) to determine if EDU-induced or activated protective oxyradical and peroxyl scavenging enzymes. EDU-enhanced tolerance to O(3) injury always correlated with increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in the leaves. Peroxidase levels correlated more closely with foliar injury. Greater SOD levels in young leves compared to older leaves were associated with lower ozone sensitivities in these tissues.Polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis separations and specific determinations of SOD activity showed that EDU-treated plants possessed markedly greater SOD activity than non-treated plants. Tolerant plant tissues may have enhanced enzyme scavenging capabilities for the protection against toxic oxyradicals. Experimental confirmation for the oxyradical theory for O(3) phytotoxicity and SOD involvement in the detoxification process are presented.

Soluble carbohydrates in bean leaves transformed into oxidant-tolerant tissues by EDU treatment

Improved gas-liquid chromatography techniques were used to evaluate the effects of EDUa on soluble leaf carbohydrates in Phaseolus vulgaris L. ‘Bush Blue Lake 290’. This snap bean cultivar is normally rather sensitive to 0 3 but becomes highly tolerant when treated systemically with EDU. Less than 24 h is required to induce the resistance. Standardized trifoliate leaves from EDU-treated and control plants were sampled 48 h after treatment. Additional plants were sampled 48 h after treatment. Additional plants were exposed to 0 3 one day after EDU soil application to assess the plant tolerance induced. The optimal dose required to enhance oxidant tolerance was 50 mg/pot. Major sugars in both EDU-treated (0 3-tolerant) and untreated (0 3-sensitive) leaves were glyceraldehyde, erythritol, fructose, glucose and sucrose. Myo -inositol, ribose and arbitol were present in lesser or trace amounts. EDU-treatment resulted in significant increases (35–62%) in all soluble carbohydrates except glyceraldehyde and myo -inositol. Implications relating to plant tolerance, to oxidants and stress-induced senescence are discussed.

Effects of Irrigation Regimes on Yield and Water Use of Snap Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)1,2

Abstract Two snap bean cultivars, ‘Galagreen’ and ‘Eagle’, were grown in rainfall sheltered irrigation plots as spring and fall crops. Pod yield of snap beans irrigated when the soil water tension reached 25 kPa (0.25 bar) averaged 11.9 MT/ha. Application of irrigation at soil water tensions of 50 kPa (0.5 bar) and 75 kPa (.75 bar) reduced yield by 41% and 48%, respectively. The reduction in water use was proportionately less than yield decreases, resulting in water use efficiencies of 0.62, 0.45 and 0.40 MT of pods/cm of water for the 25, 50 and 75 kPa irrigation treatments. Water use by the cultivars was similar, but pod yield and water use efficiency of ‘Eagle’ was greater than ‘Galagreen’. Pod yields were reduced when plants were subjected to a 75 kPa soil water stress during pre-blossom, blossom or pod development growth stages. The relationships of snap bean water use (ET) to evaporation from an open pan (PA) were established throughout growth. The crop factor value (ET/PA) varied with plant age and irrigation regime.

The effects of photochemical oxidants on the yield of snap beans

Effects of photochemical oxidants (primarily ozone) in the ambient air of Eastern United States on the yields of selected snap bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars grown from the seedling stage to maturity in “open-top” field chambers were studied. The chambers were supplied with either carbon-filtered or nonfiltered air. The research was conducted at Beltsville, Maryland, near Washington, D.C. during 1972–1976 and at Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1972. Cultivars Bush Blue Lake (BBL) 290, BBL 274 and Gallatin 50 represented processing type beans and Astro, fresh market beans. Two crops, an early and a late crop, were grown each year. At Beltsville from 1972 to 1974, BBL 290, the most sensitive cultivar to oxidants, averaged 14% less bean yield (range 5–27%) in nonfiltered air than in filtered air. Gallatin 50 and Astro, two oxidant tolerant cultivars, yielded about the same in the two environments. The results were similar in North Carolina. In 1975 yields were greatly reduced due to heavy rains. Consequently, no measurable yield effects attributable to oxidants could be determined. In the late crop in 1976, however, BBL 274 yielded 22% less in the nonfiltered air. The other three cultivars did not exhibit statistically significant oxidant induced yield losses. Yields in ambient air field plots without chambers were essentially equivalent to those in the nonfiltered chambers indicating that chamber effects per se were minimal. The microclimates of the chambers are described in an Appendix.

Quantitative Relation of Bush Snap Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Yields to Plant Population Density1

Abstract The yield-plant density relationships of 5 bush snap bean cultivars and the effect of rate of N application on the yield-density relationship of a single cultivar were studied in 2 separate experiments. Responses were described by the equation W-θ = α + βρ where W is the pod weight per plant, ρ is the plant population density, and θ, α and β are constants. The θ, α and β values were tested for significant differences among the cultivars and levels of N. In experiment 1, θ = 0.836 was acceptable for all 5 cultivars and in experiment 2, θ = 0.897 was acceptable for the 3 rates of N. Values of θ were similar to those found for bush snap beans by other researchers. Significant differences existed among both α and β values of the cultivars. In the N experiment, α was constant but values of β differed significantly and were inversely related to the level of N. Optimum plant density was dependent on the cultivar and increased with the level of N.