The NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center (CREC) has been conducting research to re-examine pinto, navy and black bean response to row spacing and plant population. Previous work with these two production factors in navy and black bean was conducted at the CREC in 1999-2000 (Schatz et al.).

A black and navy bean study was started at the CREC in 2014 with three row spacings of 14-, 21- and 28-inches, and targeted plant populations of 90, 110 and 130 (x1000) plants/acre (Figure 1). In addition, NDSU trials were conducted in Park River and Prosper, North Dakota with plant populations.

Figure 1. Navy and black bean trial at the CREC in 2017.

Navy bean plant populations averaged across three trials were 93, 117 and 140 (x1000) plants/acre. Navy bean seed yield was greatest (26.6-27.9 cwt/acre) with 14-inch rows and plant population at 117 and 140 (x1000) plants/acre.

Black bean seed yield averaged over four trials was similar among the three row spacings of 14-, 21- and 28-inches, though 21-inch rows tended to have greater yield. Black bean plant populations averaged across eight trials were 99, 119 and 141 (x1000) plants/acre. Averaged across the eight trials, black bean yield tended to increase with increasing plant populations: 22.9 cwt/acre with 99 (x1000) plants/acre; 23.3 cwt/acre with 119 (x1000) plants/acre; and 23.6 cwt/acre with 141 (x1000) plants/acre.

Pinto bean trials that included row spacing were conducted in 2011-13, and a trial with plant populations was conducted in 2013. A study with both factors was started at the CREC in 2018 with two row spacings of 21- and 28-inches, and targeted plant populations of 50, 70 and 90 (x1000) plants/acre (Figure 2). Averaged across four trials, pinto bean seed yield was 27.2 cwt/acre with 21- to 22-inch rows compared to 22.0 cwt/acre with 28- to 30-inch rows. Averaged across two trials, pinto bean yield tended to increase with increasing plant populations: 15.8 cwt/acre with an average stand of 58 (x1000) plants/acre; 17.3 cwt/acre with 75 (x1000) plants/acre; and 17.7 cwt/acre with 90 (x1000) plants/acre.

Figure 2. Pinto bean trial at the CREC in 2018.

Greg Endres
Gregory.Endres@ndsu.edu
Extension Agronomist