The spring bean crop area is forecast to rise by about 4,000 hectares in 2021 from 2020 to about 130,000ha (Andersons).
Interest is rising in the crop as growers look to spread workload, control black-grass and make use of the higher yielding varieties that are coming through, according to Tom Barker, Limagrain cereals and pulses manager.
In a roundtable discussion hosted by the firm, senior pulse breeder Will Pillinger said key breeding goals were yield, yield consistency and quality aspects.
"There is also a constant battle with the changing environment. We are looking at resistance to drought, tolerance to waterlogging and increased downy mildew pressure."
A recent success in the Limagrain breeding programme is LG Raptor which has a yield rating of 105 per cent over control on the 2021 PGRO Descriptive List.
Genetics, however, can only take a crop so far. Mr Barker said: "Growers want tips on how to produce better crops with increased yields and we want to help them improve what they do."
Armed with years of experience advising farmers on growing beans, North Lincolnshire-based Agrii agronomist Steve Portas offered growers some advice on how to make the most of their crop.
"Beans are not a complicated crop. The best growers take time to concentrate on all aspects."
Top tips to get the best from beans
- Pick a good variety with high yield, good standing ability and good disease resistance. With farm saved seed always test for stem nematode. Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO) has developed a new soil test to assess if a field has stem nematode
- Thousand seed rate varies quite a lot - know it to get seed rate correct. Aim for a minimum of 40 plants/sq.m established
- Soil structure is important. Set the ground up in autumn so it drains freely through to spring. Drill seed at 50-75mm deep. If drilling is too shallow the soil can dry out
- Use a starter fertiliser such as Agrii-start PKS+ Pulses with P-Reserve, which prevents P being locked up by high pH, contains sulphur, promotes early vigour and rooting, enables crops to cope better with pest challenges such as pea and bean weevil and increases yield
- Boron and molybdenum are important for development of rhizobia which colonise roots and fix nitrogen. Apply as a foliar spray when plants are 7.5-10cm out of the ground. Repeat prior to flowering - boron supply is essential in achieving the optimum pollination and ensures that pod set is also successful in flowers further up the stem
- Pre-ems are important for weed control - use a robust rate and soil acting adjuvant as post-em bentazone is not fully effective
- Check at 4-6 leaf for peach potato aphids which transmit damaging viruses
- Monitor for downy mildew. With only *metalaxyl-M as a knockdown, which may go in the next few years, breeding for resistance and tolerance is important. Downy mildew can lead to more chocolate spot because of the damage it does to bean plant tissue
- Apply fungicide, for example, Signum (boscalid + pyraclostrobin) for chocolate spot at mid-flowering and two-three weeks later. Check for black bean aphids
- Small first pod is the first spray timing for bruchid - repeat after 10 days
- Use a pod sealant which, as well as protecting against losses, prevents beans ‘pinging' the combine windscreen and reduces volunteers
- Some growers use glyphosate as a desiccant but not if any of the crop is destined for seed
Source: Steve Portas, Agrii
