Spring Bean Agronomy Guide

Varieties Fuego & Fanfare

Sowing Rate

Assuming 90% establishment with the optimum plant population of 30 – 35 plants per

square metre. In order to calculate the seeding rate the formula below can be used:

T.S.W X Target Plant Population/ Square Metre x ____100____ __ = Seed Rate (kg/ha)

% Germination 100 – field loss

TGW

Seed Rate kg/ha

Adjustment for field loss –

Seed Rate (kg/ha) Stone/Acre

400 126.3 140.4 9.0

450 142.1 157.9 10.1

500 157.9 175.4 11.3

550 173.7 193.0 12.4

600 189.5 210.5 13.5

650 205.3 228.1 14.7

700 221.1 245.6 15.8

750 236.8 263.2 16.9

800 252.6 280.7 18.0

Target Sowing Date 1th February 2016 – 31st March 2016

Fertiliser

The optimum pH is between 6.5 –

7. Medium to heavy soils allow

good root development and will

usually retain enough moisture to

meet the needs of the crop. Very

light soils should be avoided. It is

important the levels of manga-

nese (Mn), magnesium (Mg) bo-

ron (B) and sulphur (S) are ade-

quate.

Soil

Index

N

P

K

Index 1 0 50 125

Index 2 0 40 60

Index 3 0 20 40

Index 4 0 None None

P and K requirements (kg/ha) for beans:

Typical fertiliser application rate based on soil index 2:

Date Applied Product Rate/ha

Pre - sowing 0 – 7 – 30 or 0 – 10 – 20 375 kg/ha

Ref: Target population x 30 plants/m2, germination 95% & field loss 10%

Weed Control

Beans are very susceptible to weed competition especially in their early stages of

growth, therefore a good weed control programme is essential.

Nirvana (pendimethalin 250 g/l + imazamox 16.7 g/l), Defy

( prosulfocarb 800 g/l) or Lingo (linuron 250 g/l + clomazone 45

g/l) are applied as a pre-emergence option and should not be

applied to broadcast crops. Pre – emergence herbicides

should be applied within 48 hours of planting to a fine, firm &

level seedbed.

Grass-Weed Control

post emergence Stra-

tos Ultra (cycloxydim

100 g/l) can be ap-

plied from 3 node

stage of the crop until

before the crop cano-

py prevents adequate

spray penetration.

Wild Oat Control options include Fusilade Max (Fluazifop – P (-butyl) 125 g/l) at which

can be applied from the four true leaf stage or Falcon Propaquizafop 100 g/l) which

can be applied before the flower buds are visible.

Crop Protection

Application Date Weed Chemical

Pre – emergence

Broadleaved

weeds

Nirvana

Lingo

Defy

Post - emergence Grass Weeds Stratos Ultra

Before first flower buds

visible

Wild Oats Fusilade Max

Falcon

Disease Control The main diseases which attack beans are:

Chocolate Spot (Botrytis fabae, B. cinerea)

Symptoms appear as brown spots, which en-

large to give a more damaging aggressive

phase in cool, wet or damp weather. Au-

tumn sown beans are more likely to suffer

yield losses, especially where the plant popu-

lation is high and the crop becomes tall.

Chemical application: Signum or Folicur

Ascochyta (Leaf and Pod Spot)

This produces brown spots containing distinc-

tive black fruiting bodies (pycnidia). Autumn

sown beans are more prone to serious at-

tacks especially in wet conditions. The dis-

ease is seed-borne, air-borne and splash dis-

persed. It is advised to use certified seed

only.

Downy Mildew (Peronospora viciae)

Mildew causes white - greyish pustules on the

under-surface of the leaves and is prevalent

on spring beans. As mildew pustules become

older they darken to a brown colour.

Chemical application: Ridomil Gold

Rust (Uromyces fabae)

Rust is characterised by numerous small red-

dish-brown pustules on the leaves. It is more

serious on spring beans and all varieties are

susceptible. Most damage occurs if infection

begins during flowering and pod set.

Chemical application: Amistar, Folicur

Pest Control Pea and Bean Weevil

Pea and bean weevil is a grey/brown weevil with characteristic

snout. It feeds on leaves, producing u shaped notches but it is its lar-

vae that produce most of the yield reductions in beans. They dra-

matically reduce root nodule formation and thus nitrogen fixation.

Black bean aphid – Aphis fabae

Black bean aphids migrate to bean and sugar beet crops in the summer. Damage mainly

caused by aphid populations which colonise plants prior to flowering.

Apply spray if aphids are seen evenly (>5% of plants) across the field

as the aphid normally colonises a few plants in an area which is of little

consequence. .

Desiccant at harvesting options

Bean crops can be desiccated 7 – 21 days prior to harvest with Reglone or Roundup. If

a crop has a high level of weeds present or has a few small late set pods which are still

green, a desiccant can aid harvesting. It should be applied when at least 90% of pods

are dry and black and most of the beans are dry.

Date Applied Product Rate/ha

Pre – harvest Reglone 3.0 l/ha

Pre – harvest Roundup Flex 3.0 l/ha

This guide has been put together as a reference. If you need to seek clarification please

do not hesitate to contact us directly on the numbers below:

Aidan Moore – +353 (0)87 254 7171

Marianne Jordan – +353 (0)86 022 4090

Seedtech Office - +353 (0)51 832 814

Disclaimer

The information given in this document is for general guidance only. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure i t is

accurate, i t is important to check all information with your agronomist first.