Snap Bean Yield Research Articles

Response of Crops to Sorghum Residues1

Abstract Vegetable and field crops were grown on young residues of several cultivars of sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) in the greenhouse and field. Seedling growth of field corn (Zea mays L.) in the greenhouse was increased by residues of sorghum shoots, but not by residues of sorghum roots. In contrast the growth of sweet corn in the field was always decreased by residues of ‘Bird-a-Boo’ sorghum roots and whole plants. The growth and yield of snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the field was increased or decreased by sorghum residues depending on the sorghum plant part, quantity, cultivar, and soil environment. Although sorghum residues may stimulate crop growth in some instances, this stimulation was not easily controlled because the optimal range of sorghum residues and soil environment is too narrow and unpredictable.

Fertilizer and Salty Water Effects on Phaseolus1

AbstractThe response of legumes such as Phaseolus to adverse salt or water regimes is relatively unstudied as a function of soil nutrient status. Greenhouse studies, involving interactive effects on snap bean (P. vulgaris L.) yield of three levels of irrigation water salinity, three frequencies of irrigation water application, two levels of N applied in the irrigation water, and seven levels of P and K fertilization, were conducted to determine if the adverse effects of saline conditions or water stress on Phaseolus could be overcome by enhanced fertility status and/or improved saline water management on an Argixeroll. Dry matter and bean yields were reduced with decreasing irrigation frequency (2 to 8 days) and increasing salinity of irrigation water (0.5 to 8.0 mmho/cm). Percentage yield decrements were measured for both salt and irrigation regimes. Yield increases were noted for all fertilizer treatments so long as salinity did not become too high (8 mmho/cm). Plant N content and root weight were shown to be responsive to irrigation frequency and salinity, but not to fertilizer form. Nitrogen applied in the irrigation water produced increased yield across all treatment in one set of experiments where greenhouse conditions were hot, dry, and of high potential evapotranspirational demand, No N effect was measured in a second series of experiments with low potential ET.

The influence of soil water potential on the flowering pattern, pod set and yield of snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The effect of the soil water potential on pod yield of snap beans grown with a series of irrigation frequencies was studied over two seasons. The treatments were to furrow-irrigate either weekly or fortnightly during the preflowering period, and each treatment then received weekly or fortnightly irrigations to harvest. These treatments were compared with trickle irrigation applied daily in the first season and every second day in the second season. The irrigation frequencies during the pre-flowering period did not influence the pod yield. However, in the second season plants given the trickle irrigation treatment produced more early flowers and set pods earlier than those in the other treatments. Consequently the pods were harvested three days earlier from plants on this treatment.

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.

Effects of Tillage Methods on Soil Nutrient Distribution, Plant Nutrient Absorption, Stand, and Yields of Snap Beans and Lima Beans1

Abstract A 3 year (1976-1978) tillage study was conducted with snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and lima beans (P. lunatus L.). Treatments included 2 no-till systems where furrows were opened with a fluted coulter or a vibratory unit, 2 reduced tillage methods with seedbeds prepared with a disk or a powered harrow, and conventional tillage. Tillage method did not affect soil pH at sampled depths. Soil P levels were higher at the 10−15 cm depth with conventional compared to tillage with vibratory unit. Soil K levels were higher at the 5−10 and 10−15 cm depths with conventional tillage. Tillage method did not affect petiole N, K, and Ca concentrations. Petiole P concentrations were lowest with conventional tillage. Petiole Mg concentrations were lowest with the no-till treatments using fluted coulter for snap beans and the vibratory unit for lima beans. Snap bean stand was highest with no-till using the vibratory unit. Tillage method did not affect mean snap bean yield or lima bean stand. Mean lima bean yield was highest with conventional tillage.

Interactive effects of H 2S and O 3 on the yield of snap beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Snap beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L., cv. GV 50) were grown in a field using standard method, and 7.5 m plots were fumigated with concentrations of ozone ranging from 0.046 to 0.127 ppm and hydrogen sulfide from 0.30 to 7.0 ppm in several combinations. Gas mixtures were introduced into the plant canopy by means of a blower and plastic duct assembly with 60 cm walls around each plot, thus eliminating any serious chamber problems. Fumigations for 4 hr/day began after emergence of the first trifoliate leaf and continued throughout the growing period until pod set (day 40). Leaf injury scores and number of leaves were recorded weekly throughout the experimental period. Pod yield, total plant weight, leaf area, branch, raceme, and pod number were measured on ten plants/plot at market maturity 55 days after emergence; bulk harvests were taken at 62 days. A significant dose-response relationship for H 2S was found for leaf visible injury during the vegetative growth period, but no interaction with O 3 was observed. Three regression analyses were used to analyze the data: individual plant responses grouped according to fumigation treatment were regressed on dose, individual regressions for each plot were run, and plot response means were regressed on plot dose means. System response was described most accurately by the first method. Plants harvested at 55 days showed a 58% reduction in total pod fresh weight [from 42.4 g to 20.0 g (983-464 g/m 2)] due to the highest H 2S + O 3 dose compared tothe unfumigated plants. Plants harvested at 62 days had recovered from the air pollution stress and showed only a 1% reduction in pod fresh weight/plant.

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.

Crop Response and Arsenic Uptake Following Soil Incorporation of MSMA

Five crops were grown for three seasons following a single soil-incorporated application of MSMA (monosodium methanearsonate). Crop sensitivity to soil arsenic decreased as follows: snap beans (Phaseolus vulgarisL. ‘Early Gallatin’ and ‘Tenderette’); rice (Oryza sativaL. ‘Dawn’ and ‘Starbonnet’); soybeans [Glycine max(L.) Merr. ‘Lee 68′]; potatoes (Solarium tuberosumL. ‘Red LaSoda’ and ‘Red Pontiac’); and cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL. ‘Stoneville 7A’). Over the 3-yr period, yield of snap beans was reduced 8, 14, and 85% below the untreated check where MSMA had been incorporated initially at 22, 45, and 269 kg/ha, respectively. Similar reductions in yield of rice were 18, 25, and 55%. Soybean and potato yields were significantly reduced only at the highest rate of MSMA while cotton yields were unaffected. Arsenic content in the edible portion of the crops decreased as follows: rice, snap beans, potatoes, soybeans, and cotton. The arsenic content in crops from the highest MSMA plots seldom exceeded twice that from the untreated plots.

Effect of Fertilizer and Fritted Trace Element (FTE 503) Levels and Placement on Snap Beans Grown on a Tiwiwid Sand1

AbstractNutritional requirements of vegetables grown on noncoastal regions of Guyana have not been established. The present study was conducted on a major soil type in these areas, a Tiwiwid sand (Typic Quartzipsamments) to evaluate the effects of fertilizer rate and placement and fritted trace element (FTE 503)4 rate on nutrient uptake, root distribution, and yield of snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Fertilizer levels were 79‐67‐112 and 158‐67‐224 kg/ha on the area fertilized and were applied on one‐third, two‐thirds, and the full bed. FTE 503 treatments 44.8 kg/ha and no application.Snap bean yields were reduced from 1,008 kg/ha at the lower fertilizer rate to 727 kg/ha at the high rate. With the application of FTE 503 and the low fertilizer level, yields increased with an increase in the width of the fertilizer band. At the high fertilizer rate, yields were reduced with an increase in the width of the fertilizer band. Application of FTE 503 increased the average dry weight of bean plants from 0.55 to 1.07 and from 1.94 to 5.17 g/plant at the flowering and pod set stages, respectively. Yield increases due to FTE 503 applications were from 216 to 1,800 kg/ha and from 26 to 1,428 kg/ha, when fertilizer rates were 79‐67‐112 and 158‐67‐224 kg/ha, respectively. Mean root concentration in the surface 30 cm of soil were increased from 1.39 to 1.82 cm root/cc soil with an application of FTE 503. Results indicated that application of FTE 503 corrected micronutrient deficiencies and improved the availability of soil water and nutrients.

Effect of Wind Erosion on Production of Snap Beans and Peas1,2

Abstract Wind and the abrasive action of sand particles had a detrimental effect on the production of snap beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L., and peas, Pisum sativum L. Plants were subjected to winds of 15.5 m/sec for a duration of 20 min. Snap bean yields were reduced approximately 8% due to wind during the seedling stage and 14% when flowering plants were treated. An average reduction of 16% was observed for peas exposed to the same wind conditions, but losses for peas were not significantly influenced by the growth stage at treatment. Yields of snap beans and peas were inversely related to the soil loss when plants were exposed to wind at the seedling stage. Losses in production from treatment at the latter stages of growth were attributed to the loss of buds and blossoms due to the wind.

Effects of Film Antitranspirants on Growth

Film antitranspirants were shown to affect growth adversely by reducing photosynthesis, and favourably by increasing plant water potential. The net effect on growth was to: (1) reduce leaf expansion, plant height, and yield of snap beans in the field; (2) increase internode and leaf elongation of oleanders over a short period, with no effect on shoot length over a longer period; (3) reduce radial expansion of trunks of fruit trees; and (4) increase the size of orchard fruits. Whether an antitranspirant reduces or increases growth of a particular plant part probably depends on whether current photosynthesis or plant water potential is more important to its development at the time of treatment.

Emergence and Yield of Beans Planted with a Seed‐Orienting Planter1

AbstractRecent observations from an unrelated bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) field experiment indicated a possible relationship between emergence and seed orientation. To test the benefits of a “lay flat” orientation, a furrow opener was developed that horizontally orients bean seeds at uniform soil depths. Beans planted through this furrow opener emerged through the soil crust sooner and in significantly greater numbers than did those planted with a standard two‐disk furrow opener. Oriented and un‐oriented plantings of dry and snap beans did not differ in final total emergence. Nevertheless, early snap bean yields were greater from the seed‐oriented plots. Increased yield was due to earlier emergence, and uniform depth of planting. On uncrusted soil, seed orientation did not significantly increase dry bean yield.

Copper Toxicity in Snapbeans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

AbstractA 2‐year field experiment was conducted to determine whether Cu applied for pathogen control could accumulate to a level that would be toxic to snapbeans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Copper sulfate and Cu(OH)2 were applied at rates varying from 0 to 486 kg/ha Cu on a Plainfield loamy sand to approximate 1, 3, 9, and 27 years of fungicidal treatment. Correlation and regression analyses were used to compare the amount of Cu extracted from the soil by 3 extraction procedures (0.1N HCI, EDTA, and DTPA) with crop yield and the concentration of Cu in snapbean tissue.Rates of up to 54 kg/ha Cu had no deleterious effect on the yield of snapbeans in either year. Slight yield decreases were noted when the rate of Cu exceeded 130 kg/ha, and a marked reduction in yield occurred when 405 kg/ha of Cu as Cu(OH)2 or 486 kg/ha of Cu as CuSO4 was applied. Yield decreases were similar the 1st and 2nd years after Cu application, indicating that Cu toxicity was not being ameliorated over a 2‐year period of time. Soil Cu and yield were highly correlated for each of the extraction methods. Based on the regression equations, a significant yield depression was obtained when HCI or DTPA‐extractable Cu exceeded 20 ppm, and when EDTA‐extractable Cu exceeded 15 ppm. Soil Cu extracted by each extraction procedure was highly correlated with Cu in the leaf tissue, especially for the immature first trifoliate leaf. Yield reductions were noted when the Cu concentration in the seedling trifoliate increased from 20 to 30 ppm, and severe toxicity was observed at tissue concentrations in excess of 40 ppm Cu.