 |
ProCrop |
Cultivar Selection
Cultivar selection is one of the most important decisions a bean grower has to make. The ability of a cultivar to emerge vigorously from the soil, compete effectively with weeds during early seedling growth, and mature uniformly is of extreme importance. Architecture may be of lesser importance if the equipment necessary for harvest is available, however, the high placement of pods on plants would reduce potential soil staining and also give the grower an option of direct harvesting.
Maturity is a major facto in selection of a cultivar. Because of the relatively short growing season in most of North Dakota, dry bean cultivars that mature in excess of 100 days after planting should be selected with extreme caution. Seeds that are frost damaged are not marketable and are treated as "pick" at the dealer. Early (80-92 days) and midseason (94-96 days) cultivars generally perform well with little reduction in yield. Dry bean growers should keep in mind that high levels of available soil nitrogen will increase vegetative growth and delay maturities of all bean cultivars.
Resistance to prevalent disease should also be considered when selecting a cultivar. Resistance to rust, for example, is not uniform among cultivars within a market class, or among market classes. Cultivar responses to the prevalent rust races vary greatly, and since the rust populations may change over time, previously resistant cultivars may become susceptible to newer races of rust.
Back to Varieties - Dry
Bean Menus
Back to Dry Beans Menu
Back to Main ProCrop Index
