eammetceal Por4ducteo4t
Pole Snap Beans
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Extension Bulletin 783
FEDERAL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
-
June 1960
' OREGON STATE COLLEGE 4 CORVALLIS
Cooperative Extension work in Agriculture and Home Economics, F. E. Price. director.
Oregon State College and the United States Department of Agriculture cooperating.
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Page
Summary of production
Weed control
Disease control
Insect control summary
Details of production
Soils and soil preparation
Varieties
Seed treatment
Planting
Supporting and training
3
4
5
7
10
10
10
10
11
14
Cultivation and weed control
Irrigation
Insect control
Disease control
Blossom drop and malformed pods
14
Harvesting and yields
17
Tables
15
15
16
16
18
This bulletin was prepared by A. A. Duncan, extension vegetable production specialist,
in cooperation with R. W. Every, extension entomology specialist, and I. C. MacSwan, extension plant pathology specialist, Oregon State College.
This publication supersedes Oregon State College Extension Circular 434 and Extension
Bulletin 705 (July 1950) by A. G. B. Bouquet.
inap Beans la 61490(4
Summate/
Prodactioa
Scientific name: Phaseolus vulgaris
Varieties: FM-1, FM-1-K, FM-1-P
(early types), Asgrow 231 (late type).
Method of seeding and amount
of seed per acre : Planter set to drop
15 seeds per yard of row when germination is 80%. Speed of seeding 1.5
to 2 mph. Rough handling reduces
germination of bean seed. Plant 1" to
11" deep on loam soils and 11" to 2"
deep on sandy soils. Plant 25 to 30
pounds of seed per acre depending
upon the size of seed.
Seed treatment : Plant only seed
treated with fungicide (Arasan SF,
Spergon or captan) and insecticide
(aldrin, dieldrin, or lindane), to re-
to field capacity are better than light
sprinklings.
Fertilization: Nitrogen (N) ::
100-
120 pounds per acre (50-70 at seeding
and 50 pounds through irrigation system or sidedressed during growing sea-
son beginning at first bloom). Phos-
phorus (P205): 60-180 pounds per
acre in bands at time of seeding. Potash (K20) : 40-60 pounds per acre in
bands at time of seeding. No Potash
required on many river-bottom soils.
Example : 600-800 pounds of 8-24-8
per acre in bands at time of seeding.
Bands 2" on either side and 3-4" below
the level of the seed. Followed by 50
pounds of N in a split application with
the irrigation water, or side-dressed,
duce seed loss from rots and insects.
after beans begin flowering.
Nutrients removed by 10-ton
crop : (approximatenot to be used
Spacing: Between rows, 4Y to 5'.
Between plants, 3".
Time of planting: Late April to as guide to fertilization practices)
June.
N P,05 K20
Time of harvest : About 65 to 70
days to first harvest (early types);
varies with temperature.
Pods
100
35
90
Irrigation: Whenever soil moisture
in upper 2' declines to 60% available.
Thorough irrigations that wet the soil
Foliage (returned) 80
10
60
Total
45
150
3
180
Weed Control
Control of weeds which emerge
Control of perennial grasses
when beans emerge
Chemical : Eptam.
Chemical: Dinitro amine.
Spray mixture : For nutgrass, 2
Spray mixture : 1 to 2 gallons of 3pounds per gallon formulation (3 to 6
pounds active) in 30 or more gallons
of water per acre.
quarts of 6-pounds per gallon formula-
tion (3 pounds active) in 30 or more
gallons of water per acre. For quack
grass, 4 quarts of 6-pounds per gallon
formulation (6 pounds active) in 30 or
more gallons of water per acre.
Time of application : Immediately
after planting if possible or at least
before beans break through the soil.
Time of application : Before plant-
ing. Spray Eptam and work it thor-
Cost may be reduced by using a band
application over the row, sprayed on at
oughly into the soil by discing twice.
Seed may be planted immediately.
time of seeding.
Caution : Do not use on lima beans.
Caution : Spray only one time.
Control of weeds after beans
have emerged
Control of annual grasses and
broadleaf weeds
Chemical: Dinitro amine.
Chemical : Vegedex.
Spray mixture : 2 quarts of
pounds per gallon
Spray mixture : 2 to 6 quarts of 3pounds per gallon formulation (4 to
41- pounds active) in 30 or more gallons water per acre.
4-
formulation (2
pounds active) in 30 or more gallons
of water per acre. (Use 3 to 6 quarts
if grass problem is severe.)
Time of application : Immediately
Time of application : When most
the beans have emerged to the
"crook stage," that is, after the bean
of
after planting.
seedling has broken through the ground
and before the stem has become erect.
Caution : Spray only one time.
Chemical combination : Vegedex
Caution: Check the air temperature
with a reliable thermometer. If the air
temperature is 85°, or is expected to
reach or exceed 85° within 24 hours
following the application, then delay
plus dinitro amine.
Spray mixture :
quarts of 4formulation (2
pounds active) of Vegedex plus 2 to 4
quarts of 3-pounds per gallon formulation (4 to 3 pounds active) of dinitro
2
pounds per gallon
treatment.
amine in 30 or more gallons of water
per acre.
4
Disease Control
has been a Problem, the spray or dust
applications should be started as soon
as wet weather occurs. Some growers
may profitably wait until the disease
makes its first appearance, before applying fungicides. During wet weather
apply a fungicide every seven days, especially to the lower half of the vines.
Sprays: Use Ziram 11- pounds per
Bean-sclerotinia disease (white
mold)
Cause : Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a
fungus. This organism lives during
winter months as sclerotia, attached to
old bean stems or directly in the soil.
Sclerotia are moved about on plant materials, farm implements, irrigation
water and on seed. Infection occurs 100 gallons of water or Terraclor
most frequently under cool, moist (PCNB) 3 pounds actual per acre.
weather conditions. Other host plants Terraclor may be combined with diinclude lettuce, carrots, parsnips, cabbage, and other crucifers and cucurbits.
nitro amine and applied after seeding.
Apply fungicides at the rate of 150-
Symptoms : Young infected plants 200 gallons of spray per acre.
show water-soaked spots on the stems
Dusts : Use Ziram 3 pounds active
or leaves. Older plants develop similar per acre (30 pounds of 10% dust) or
spots anywhere on stems, petioles, Terraclor 20% dust at the rate of 25
leaves, or pods. These spots are a white
creamy mat-like fungus growth. Most
pounds per acre.
Residues: Ziramif applied within
infections occur near the ground. The
fungus may also invade the pith of the 4 days of harvest, wash beans to remain stem. Infected leaves turn yellow move residue. Terraclordo not apply
and wilt. Imbedded in the external fun- after the first bloom. Do not feed the
gus
treated vines to livestock.
growth are compact sclerotia.
These are at first white in color and
later darken until they are black and Root rot
hardened.
Cause : Fusarium sp., fungi. Species
of Fusarium live in the soil indefinitely,
Control : (1) Provide adequate aeration between rows and within rows by
increased planting distance. (2) Deep
plowing to bury sclerotia is beneficial.
Rotate crops where land permits
for at least one year to escape sclerotia
infection. This is of little value in concentrated bean areas due to widespread
probably for many years. They are
spread on infected bean straw and by
soil water.
Symptoms : The plants are stunted
and the leaves are yellowish and often
drop early. Around the ground level
and below, the main root may show a
red discoloration later turning black
and decaying. The infection seldom
grows into tissue above the ground
level: Small side roots are killed and
dispersion of spores through the air.
Varieties that do not produce excessive foliage near the ground level,
(open base types) such as FM-1 variety, tend to escape early season infections. In a severe white mold season,
FM-1 may become infected. (5) Apply
fungicides. In fields where white mold
above them secondary roots are developed which may also become infected
and die. These secondary roots help to
,5
maintain the plant and assist in crop
Symptoms : Initial symptoms ap-
development.
pear on lower surface of leaves as
Control : Plant in well-drained soil.
Practice a long rotation with grass or
years. Shallow cultivation may be help-
small, white, raised spots. Later symptoms on pods and leaves as rust colored
spots and spores.
Control : (1) Cut down and disc
known. Despite the widespread prevalence of the soil organisms, reason-
pleted. (2) Dip or spray stakes, wire,
and other equipment with lime-sulfur
ably good crops are usually produced.
at the rate of 1 gallon per 10 gallons of
water. (3) Dust with sulfur (225 mesh
Seed rot and seedling blight
Cause : Pythium and Rhizoctonia
sp., fungi. Both seed rot and seedling
blight result from fungi which persist
or finer). Start dusting as soon as the
first leaves begin to form. Continue
dusting at one-week intervals until the
first blossoms appear. Five to seven
applications may be necessary. (It is
not advisable to dust after any pods
grain crops intervening for 5 or 6
ful. A good control measure is not vines as soon as last picking is com-
indefinitely in the soil.
Symptoms : Seed decay or a rotting
and damping-off of the young seedling
plants. Wilting and death of the seedlings follow.
Control : Treat seed as described in
text.
Bean rust
Cause : Uromyces phaseoli
typica, a fungus.
var.
have formed since some canneries have
experienced difficulties when using
products bearing sulfur.) The critical
time to dust with sulfur is early in the
season to prevent the white spore stage.
At this time the plant needs protection
only from an occasional spore, but once
the brown spore stage has started, the
plant needs constant protection against
thousands (millions) of spores.
A mechanical harvester for pole snap beans is under development. This is an experimental model.
INSECT CONTROL SUMMARY
Control
.
Description and damage
Pests
Bean aphid
Aphis fabae
Scop.
Black plant louse which colon-
izes on leaves and pods. May
occur early in season but most
common found in late summer.
Tolerance
To
(Dosages refer to actual amount
of toxicant per acre)
Dibrom-2 lbs.
Malathion-1.75 lbs.
Diazinon-0.5 lb. spray
1.-1
Laphygma exigua
(Hbn.)
Full grown larva li inches long,
greenish with a broad, dark, latend band, edged with a narrow
white line. Larvae tend to defoliate pigweed and later migrate
4 daysWashington an
0.75
Oregon only
1 day
7 (lays
0.8
7 daysDo not feed*
0
3 days
-
TEPP-0.4 lb. as spray
Beet armyworm
N.R.f
lbs. dust
1.2 lbs. as dust
'
(Interval between last
application and harvest)
8
Trithion-0.75 lb. as spray
1
Restrictions
ppm.
lb. as dust
Parathion-0.5 lb.
Phosdrin-0.5 lb.
Nicotine sulfate-1 lb.
0.25
2
DDT-2 lbs.
7
Malathion-1.75 lbs.
7 daysDo not feed*
8
1 day
DDT-2 lbs.
7
7 daysDo not feed*
15 days
1
.
1 day
3 days
to beans.
Painted-lady
or
thistle butterfly
Vanessa cardui (L.)
Spiny caterpillars, dull brown to
black with pale yellow stripe
on each side. Caterpillars feed
mostly on thistle, but will some-
.
times move to beans.
Small white centipede-like ani-
Parathion-5 lbs. or soil fumi-
mal.
gant.
Nitidulid beetle
Small, black beetle which infests
Dibrom-2 lbs.
Meligethes nigrescens
blossoms. May cause blossom
drop. Economic level averages
Garden sy mphyl id
Stephens
6 beetles per blossom.
N.R.f
N.R.f
.
DDT-2 lbs.
7
I\ tethoxychlor-2 lbs.
14
4 daysWashington and
Oregon only
7 daysDo not feed*
3 daysDo not feed
treated vines to livestock.
,
Malathion-1.75 lbs.
Diazinon-0.5 lb. as spray
8
0.75
I day
0
3 (lays
7 days
1.4 lbs. as dust
TEPP-0.4 lb. as spray
1 lb. as dust
INSECT CONTROL SUM MARY-(Continued)
Control
Description and damage
Pests
Pea leaf weevil
Sitona lincata (L.)
grayish - brown
Adults small,
weevils about
inch long. May
appear on beans in late summer
in Willamette Valley. To date
Tolerance
(Dosages refer to actual amount
of toxicant per acre)
PPnl-
Malathion-1.75 lbs.
8
Methoxychlor-2 lbs.
14
Western spotted cucumber beetle
Yellowish-green,
Hiabrotica undecintpunctata Mann.
seedlings, foliage and pods.
beetle common to western Oregon. Adults attack and feed on
7
Methoxychlor-2 lbs.
14
Sevint.-2 lbs.
10
TEPP--0.4 lb. as spray
Brown, jointed larvae of click
Kill young
weaken older ones.
beetles.
Limonius spp.
plants,
3 days. Do not feed
stock.
DDT-2 lbs.
For light infestations:
Malathion-1.75 lbs.
Wireworms
1 day
treated vines to live-
not serious on beans.
black-spotted
Restrictions
(Interval between last
application and harvest)
1 lb. as dust
Preplanting soil treatment of :
Aldrin-2 to 3 lbs.
Dieldrin-2 to 3 lbs.
7 daysDo not feedt
3 daysDo not feed
treated vines to live-
stock
No time limitation
Do not feed*
8
0
1 day
3 days
0
0
No restrictions if used as
:
DDT-20 lbs.
For light infestations:
Aldrin, Dieldrin, or lindane
seed treatments with Thiram
directed
7
will provide crop protection.
(See Seed-corn maggot.)
Seed-corn maggot
White larvae of fly, similar to
the
Hylemya cilicrura
(Rond.)
cabbage
maggot.
Attack
germinating seeds and may destroy planting. Generally abundant during cool wet weather.
Seed treatments:
Aldrin
.
Dieldrin
Lindane
0
0
Seed treatment only:
Do not use treated seed
for food or feed*
oz. (75% W.P.) plus Thi-
ram li oz. (75% W.P.) per
100 lbs. of seed.
Pre planting soil treatment of:
Aldrin-2 to 3 lbs.
Dieldrin-2 to 3 lbs.
will reduce or prevent damage
N.R.'f
0
No restrictions if used as
preplanting treatment
INSECT CONTROL SUM MARY ( Concluded)
Control
Pests
Gray Garden Slug
Spider Mites
Tetranych us spit.
(Dosages refer to actual amount
of toxicant per acre)
Description and damage
Small
molluscs,
common
to
western Oregon. Most destructive to crops in early spring.
Tiny spider-like animals, located
on undersides of foliage. Feed
on plant juices and cause yel-
lowing and browning of leaves.
Not usually a problem in western Oregon.
3% metaldehyde-calcium arsenate bait. 10 lbs.
Repeat applications frequently.
Avoid baiting during periods of
heavy rainfall,
Tolerance
PPm
N.R.
-
Restrictions
(Interval between last
application and harvest)
Spread baits lightly on
ground around plants.
Avoid contamination of
crop. See also "Oregon In-
sect Control Handbook."
Kelthane*-0.6 lb. as spray
5
7 daysDo not feed*
Trithion-0.75 lb. as spray
0.8
7 clavsDo not feed*
0.75
7 days
8
1
1
15 days
1.5 lbs. as dust
1.2 lbs. as dust
Diazinon*-0.5 lb. as spray
1.4 lbs. as dust
Malathion-1.75 lbs.
Parathion-0.5 lb.
Do not feed crop or crop residue to dairy, poultry, or meat a timals.
clay
f No recommendation.
Pesticide has Federal registration hut data on effectiveness under Oregon conditions has not been determined by Oregon State College.
ptodacteept
et-aied
Soils and Soil Preparation
Land for growing snap beans should
be well drained, relatively easy to work,
fertile, and suitable for irrigation. Any
friable land of good tilth that is naturally fertile or that has been built up to
a good state of fertility will grow good
yields of beans. Sandy loam and silt
loam soils are preferred. Beans are produced to a large extent on river bottom
soils and almost always under irrigation. A major exception to the river
is the Stayton area in
southern Marion County. Here the
bottom soils
soils are more gravelly. Occasionally
bean yards are to be found on heavy
Willamette soil and some of these have
been known to produce good yields.
Soil impoverished by continuous crop-
ping can be detected by the meager
growth of vines, the dropping of blossoms, and the low yield of pods. Soil
tests help to determine fertilizer needs.
Varieties
A variety of beans suitable for the
open market and for manufacture
should : (1) be productive, (2) have
correct shape, color, and length in
order to satisfy the trade, (3) have
good texture and flavor, and (4) be
stringless and low in side-wall fibre. Of
the tall-growing or pole types used for
canning and freezing, Blue Lake is the
most widely produced. There are sev-
eral varieties and derivatives of the
original Blue Lake varying in season,
growth habit, yield, and degree of
stringlessness. In general this type is
characterized by having 5 to 6-inch
long, straight pods that are round in
cross section, dark green, and stringless.
Seed Treatment
Before planting bean seeds, protect
them from maggot injury by coating
them with a thin slurry, or paste, that
wettable powders especially prepared
for slurry seed treating.
By following the recommendations
given here, less than one ounce of
chemical per acre will reach the soil.
This amount of insecticide in the soil
contains an insecticide and a fungicide.
The beans retain the coating after they
are planted, and maggots that attack
them are killed by contact with the insecticide. The fungicide is necessary to
protect the beans from pre-emergence
attack from diseases. Aldrin, dieldrin,
or lindane are suitable insecticides. A
finely ground, solvent-free wettable
does not give off-flavor to beans.
Preparing the slurry
The stock supply of slurry is prepared by mixing the insecticide and the
fungicide with water. To prepare
slurry in an amount sufficient to treat
powder of 75% strength should be
used. A lower strength might not be 50 pounds of seed, ounce (4 level
effective. The recommended fungicides teaspoonfuls) of the insecticide, 11
are arasan SF, spergon, or captan. The
fungicides are available as dusts or as
ounces (9 level tablespoonfuls) of the
fungicide, and 8 fluid ounces (1 cup10
ful) of water should be mixed and
stirred thoroughly. It should stand
about 10 minutes before using.
Treating the seed
Seed and slurry are mixed in a con-
manufacturer of the machine furnishes
directions for using it.
A clean cement mixer may be used as
a substitute for a slurry-treating ma-
chine. The same proportions indicated
in the reference to slurry-treating matainer for slurry treatment. In treat- chines are used, measuring out 1 pint
ing small quantity of seed, a smooth of slurry for each 100 pounds of seed.
container that can be closed tightly The mixer should not turn longer than
and rolled and tumbled, such as a fruit is necessary to coat the seed, in order to
jar or friction-top can should be used. avoid damage to the seed.
The container is only half filled with
seed in each operation. Several oper- Handling treated seed
Moist seed will not feed properly
ations, with a new batch of seed each
through the planter. The seed is dried
time, may be necessary.
One teaspoonful of slurry per pound at least 1 hour before planting. It is
of seed should be used. In treating the not necessary to plant the seed the same
first batch of seed, the amount of slurry day it is treated, but it may be set
is increased about 10% to compensate aside for several days. After it has
for the slurry that will stick to the in- dried, the seed is placed in bags made
side of the container. The slurry should of heavy paper or closely woven cloth ;
be sprinkled over the seed, the con- such bags keep the powder from sifttainer closed, then rolled and tumbled ing out.
until the seed is smoothly coated. The
treated seed should not be left in the Custom treating
In some states seedsmen or others
container, but put in a cloth sack to dry.
If as much as 1,000 pounds of bean who wish to do custom treating of seed
seed each season is being treated, the are required to obtain a license. Local
purchase of a slurry-treating machine agricultural authorities should be asked
will be helpful. It regulates the flow of about licensing before doing any cusseed and slurry causing the seed to re- tom treating.
If treated seed is offered for sale,
ceive a uniform coating. Six ounces of
the insecticide mixed with LI pounds each bag must carry a label giving the
of the fungicide, and 1 gallon of water, name of the insecticide used and stat-
ing that the seed is unfit for food or
will coat about 900 pounds of bean
seed when used in the machine. The
feed purposes.
Planting
mosaic and other seed-borne diseases.
The present varieties of Blue Lake are
undesirable plants and pods. Flat pods resistant to the usual strain of common
are undesirable, but complete elimina- mosaic virus. Pole beans are grown
tion of plants that produce flat pods is with the rows usually 4V to 5' apart
not possible because of current season and for this method of seeding about
mutations. It is especially important 25 to 30 pounds of seed per acre are
that the seed be free from common sufficient. A combination fertilizer disThe seed should come from fields
that have been thoroughly roved for
11
- "=r
Even though machines have been developed
for many operations, much costly labor is still
required in pole bean production. In this bean
yard, holes for the heavy end posts are dug
mechanically then "trued up" by hand so as to
be in perfect alignment with the bean row.
Stakes are pressed into the soil at 20 foot intervals down the bean row. The wire at the top
and the heavy twine at the bottom are securely
fastened to the end posts. A web of string is
wound mechanically between the wire and the
twine. At the end of the growing season string,
twine, and vines are left in the field. Top wires
are lifted and rolled onto spools by machine.
Stakes and end posts are pulled and stacked for
winter storage.
c
NIP
tributor and bean planter is used. The
seed should be planted 1" to h,'" deep
on heavy soils and 14" to 2" deep on
light soils. Where moisture is available
shallow planting is preferred for quick
the time when it is desirable to begin
harvest, location and soil. Ordinarily a
period of 70 days elapses between seed-
ing and first harvest, but this varies
with weather conditions and the varie-
ties or strains used. For the home or
market
garden beans may be planted
The date of planting of pole beans
varies from the latter part of April to up to the middle of July to provide a
the first part of June, depending upon fall crop.
emergence.
Supporting and Training
Pole beans are supported and trained wires are sometimes placed every 30'
by means of end posts, support posts, for additional support. The bean plant
wire, and string. "Temporary yards" then climbs the string between the two
are used in the overflow and river-bot- wires. In some cases the support string
tom areas, in which case the support is tied to the upper wire and at the
posts in the rows, and many of the bottom to the bean plant itself.
Some "trellis yards" are similar to
posts supporting the cross wires are
hop
yards, in that the wires are raised
removed at the end of each season. The
top wires and end posts may remain in to an overhead position in order to perthe field. The field has a few posts left mit machine work in the field. Ordito hold up the cross wires which in turn
narily, fewer but heavier posts and
These fields remain this way until after
heavier wire are used than for the other
bean yards. The posts in "semiperma-
ready for seeding.
year, but the wire is removed after
In "permanent yards" all or part of
the equipment remains in the field the
year around.
the crop is harvested.
have the row wires attached to them.
the soil is thoroughly prepared and nent yards" remain in the ground all
In "staked yards" stakes are used
for the actual support of the bean
The difference in the cost per acre
between these different yards is small.
Those of the trellis type are the most
expensive, having a relatively high in-
vestment and depreciation cost per
acre. Other types require a lower inthe bean row. These posts are con- vestment per acre but obviously renected by two wires, one at the top quire more labor since the stakes are
(often No. 12 galvanized) and one at entirely removed and then returned
the bottom (No. 14 galvanized or each spring. Yields are little affected
heavy twine). No. 8 galvanized cross by the type of yard used.
plants. In the other kind of temporary
yard, posts are placed at intervals down
Cultivation an d Weed Control
Cultivation between the rows should
be only enough to control weeds dur-
and machine cultivation totaled 4.3%
soils to permit better water penetration.
ing chemical weed control methods, i.e.,
of the total cost of producing pole
ing the growing season and in some beans. The cost can be reduced by usdinitro amine for the broadleaf weeds,
Vegedex for annual grasses, and
In a survey of pole bean production
costs, in the Willamette Valley, hand
14
Eptam for perennial grasses. The
manufacturer's instructions on the
labels should always be followed. For
to applications of 2,4-D. Mild to severe injuries to beans have been reported where fields, roadsides, and
further information the local county rights-of-way adjacent to the bean
extension agent can be contacted.
plantings were treated with volatile
Bean plants are unusually sensitive forms of 2,4-D.
lrriga tion
Irrigation of a bean field is necessary for a period of approximately 60
days. Some fields are irrigated by the
furrow system, but this is only true
where the contour of the land permits
this method. From 12" to 15" of water
per acre are usually applied to pole
beans during the growing season. Mois-
ture stakes may be used to determine
when
and
how
long
to
Thorough irrigations that wet the soil
to field capacity are better than light
sprinklings. Irrigation is important to
provide water throughout the growing
season and to carry water-soluble fertilizer into the soil. Recent research has
shown that yields are increased if the
available soil moisture level is maintained at 65% or above.
irrigate.
Insect Control
There are several insects which do ical level of infestation has been esticonsiderable damage to snap beans. The mated to be six nitidulid beetles per
11-spotted beetle may inflict some early
injuries by chewing the tender leaves
of the young plants soon after they
come through the ground. Later on,
this insect eats the leaves and pods. Injury to pods is sometimes quite serious.
Black aphids are sometimes very injurious to pole beans. Corrective measures should be taken as soon as black
aphids are detected.
Red spider mites are sometimes present in bean fields. Bindweed and other
blossom. Examine several blossoms to
determine the average count.
Symphylids are small, white animals
similar in appearance to garden centipedes. They have caused considerable
damage to beans in the past and seem
to be increasing in numbers and in
areas
affected. Their underground
habits make them difficult to control.
Currently available fumigants or parathion should be used in badly infested
fields. The yield response to thorough
symphylid control may be greater than
the response to fertilizer.
See also Seed Treatment and Blossom Drop. Further details concerning
perennials are a source of red spider
mite infestation and should be eliminated where adjacent to a bean field.
The larvae of thrips cause injury to
beans because their feeding causes the
base of young pods to curl. Insecticides
insect control are available from county
extension agents. Special consideration
should be given to the time interval between application of the insecticide and
recommended for the control of 11spotted beetle and nitidulid beetle will
also control thrips.
Nitidulids, small black beetles, frequently infest bean blossoms and may
cause the blossoms to drop. The crit-
harvesting the crop so as to comply
with the provisions of
Amendment (Miller Bill).
15
the Miller
Disease Control
frequently cause intervals if rust appears on the new
Virus diseases
severe losses in beans. Common mosaic
is seedborne and the use of disease-free
foliage before any bean pods begin to
form. Dusting should begin as soon as
seed is essential for its control. Bean the first white rust pustules are found
yellow mosaic is not seedborne but is on the leaves of young plants.
White mold (Sclerotinia) may cause
introduced from other crops by aphids.
Beans should not be planted near severe crop losses in the Willamette
plantings of clover, alfalfa, field peas, Valley, especially in wet growing seaor gladiolus because these crops may sons. The fungus which survives as
serve as reservoirs or sources of virus sclerotia (hard black fungus bodies i"
contamination. Bean varieties may be to 1" long) in the soil may attack the
resistant to common mosaic but sus- young plant stems directly or produce
mushroom-like growths which liberate
ceptible to yellow mosaic.
Bean rust is common in bean-grow- spores to cause infection of all aboveing areas when weather conditions are ground parts of the bean plant. Many
favorable for the development of the of the infections occur through blosdisease. It is a fungus disease which som petals sticking to leaves, stems and
can infect most varieties of snap bean. pods. Water soaked spots appear soon
While some varieties have proved after infection, followed by the develsomewhat resistant to this disease, the opment of a white creamy mat-like funcurrent varieties of beans grown com- gus growth. Rotting of the stem at
mercially may be seriously affected. ground level (a common symptom) is
Control of bean rust in commercial followed by yellowing of the leaves and
acreages will depend on: (1) cutting death of the plant. Wider row spacing
down and disking vines as soon as the
(5' to 6') to provide good air drainage,
son; (3) dusting with sulfur at weekly
tend to escape early season infections.
last picking is made to prevent the deep plowing to bury sclerotia, and
formation of the overwintering stage; crop rotation are the best preventive
(2) dipping or spraying stakes, rolls measures. Spraying or dusting with
of wire, and other equipment with Ziram or Terraclor (PCNB) will give
lime sulfur (1 gallon per 10 gallons practical control of the disease. Varieof water) to kill over-wintering spores ties that produce few leaves near the
if rust was serious the previous sea- ground level, such as FM-1 variety,
Blossom Drop and Malformed Pods
reserve of soil moisture and good leaf
growth they seem to be troubled less
with blossom drop than othewise.
Some snap bean pods are "polliwog"
shaped instead of being straight, wellfilled, and uniform from stem to spur.
production or germination and growth In most misshapen pods only half or
of the pollen. If the plants have a good one-third of the pod is filled with seed.
It is generally recognized that polli-
nation of beans may be seriously affected by high temperature (90° or
above). Bean blossoms drop off because of imperfect pollination due to
the influence of warm weather on the
16
Normal pods have 5 or 6 seeds. Incom-
plete fertilization of the bean flower
is one cause of malformed pods.
Where summer temperatures are
high it has been found that pods with
only one or two beans in them result
from
flowers
pollinated by
pollen
grains low in starch. Such pollen is
tions are heavy. An average of 6 to 8
beetles per blossom seems to be the
maximum safe level of infestation.
The insects show up every year usually
between mid-July and mid-August, but
in some seasons are not sufficiently
abundant to warrant special control
measures. The number of beetles in 25
frequently sterile. Where there is
to 50 blossoms should be counted to
ample nutrition provided for the bean
crop by sufficient soil fertilization and
determine the average infestation. Con-
water, the plants are vigorous and
grow well and there is less flower drop
and fewer malformed pods. High tem-
peratures may be a limiting factor.
The nitidulid or black pollen beetle
can cause blossom drop when infesta-
trol of heavy migrations has not been
possible. Medium infestations (8 or so
per blossom) can be reduced by any
of the insecticides used for aphids or
Diabrotica (11-spotted beetle) control
(i.e., DDT, rnethoxychlor, malathion,
Diazinon).
Harvesting and Yields
The quality and market value of branches. The average for a good
snap beans are largely dependent upon
picker is about 300 pounds per day.
the time of picking and the development of the pods. It is important to
pick beans before the pods or seeds
This, of course, varies widely with the
individual and with the concentration
of pods ready for harvest.
The following are the bean pod di-
become large.
It is necessary to pick bean pods mensions in fractions of an inch for
carefully so as to pick those that the various field grades: No. 1 grade,
have reached sufficient development,
144/64 to 21/64; No. 2 grade, 21, 22,
but to leave on the vines those pods 23/64; No. 3 grade, 24, 25, 26/64;
which are not yet large enough to be and No. 4 grade, 27/64. The percentharvested. In this way the percentage ages of grades in a field will vary conof lower grades of beans may be re- siderably with the season, variety, soil
duced to a minimum. In instructing fertility, moisture conditions, supervispickers, careful and clean picking ion of pickers, and the availability of
should be emphasized to insure high labor to harvest the crop.
quality and a better grade. It is cusYields of beans vary largely with
tomary for one picker to pick one side
of the row rather than attempt to pick
two sides at one time, for in this man-
the potential productiveness of the soil,
grower skill, and management of the
crop. No great differences in yield of
ner the beans can be picked more
currently used varieties have been dem-
thoroughly and there is less pulling of
the vines to find the pods. Beans are
usually grasped by bunches and pulled
from the plant with an upward motion.
Care and skill must be used to prevent
onstrated. In a survey of pole beans
(Blue Lake) in the Willamette Valley,,
yields per acre were found to vary
from about four tons to over twelve
tons per acre. The average is eight tons
damage to the racemes or fruiting per acre.
17
Production Costs by Operations
POLE BEAN MANAGEMENT STUDY*
MARION COUNTY, OREGON, 1958
Record Number (5 farms)
Tons per acre
Average price per ton
over 20
over 20
under 20
over 20
13.6
9.8
10.4
10.1
$ 109
$ 116
$
104
23
8
$
28
I
Costs per acre
Seed bed preparation and
planting
$
Hand cultivation
Machine cultivation
Yard preparation and clean-up
12
92
30
58
9
127
45
34
Irrigation
Dusting and spraying
Cover crop
14
I
-
10.2
$
99
$ 100
$
33
$
24
3
7
48
10
14
20
67
39
32
8
87
39
43
4
3
75
56
45
9
6
7
$ 232
$ 191
$ 271
$ 245
735
126
536
574
94
598
73
586
117
$ 861
$ 609
$ 703
$ 668
$ 729
55
42
47
49
41
$1,015
98
$ 100
Other harvest
TOTAL COSTS PER ACRE
$1,205
$ 883
$ 941
$ 988
Costs per ton
Cost per ton
Picking cost per ton
$
$
$
$
TOTAL HARVEST COST PER TON
under 20
$ 289
Picking
Harvest total
Overhead, and land charge
$
36
12
21
Fertilizing.
Pre-harvest total
3
3
1
Acreage
4
2
Item
$
88
54
$
63
91
55
62
91
57
56
$
68
131
$
67
59
$
72
*Study was conducted by Don Rasmussen, Marion County Extension Agen , Manning H Becker, Extension Farm Management Specialist, and 5 pole bean producers in Marion Cou sty, Oregon. The computations were made by Hugh Dickerson, Extension Agent-at-Large.
Cross wires stapled to stake tips Will give added support.
18
.14-akdkaa4.0.
..Vhe
ma he
..
g
a
Irrigation pipe must be supported above the beans on the stakes and wires.
Grades and Grading
RELATIONSHIP OF POD SIEVE-SIZE TO GRADES OF RAW SNAP BEANS
Canner's grade
Sieve size
Pod thickness (inch)
1
1
less than 14.5/64
1
2
1
3
2
4
3
5
4
cull
6
7 and over
14.5/64 to 18.5/64
18.5/64 to 21.0/64
21.0/64 to 24.0/64
24.0/64 to 27.0/64
27.0/64
over 27.0/64
RELATIONSHIP OF PERCENT SEED TO THE GRADES OF RAW SNAP BEANS
% Seed
Grade
0-10
Fancy
Extra Standard
11 -- 18
19 -- 25
Standard
PROCEDURE TO DETERMINE PERCENT SEED OF RAW SNAP BEANS
Collect a small representative sample of raw beans. Weigh the beans.
Remove seeds from pods. Weigh seeds and pods separately on a triple beam
balance to within a tenth of a gram.
Calculate percent seed by dividing weight of seed by weight of original sam- ple and multiply by 100.
Percent seed
weight of seed
x 100
weight of sample
19
ALL GREEN AND WAX BEANS: TOTAL HARVEST (THOUSANDS OF ACRES)
Acreage for processing
U. S. total
Crop year
Fresh
mkt.
197.8
192.2
188.4
185.9
184.2
161.4
151.0
152.8
152.4
136.0
132.4
128.2
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
Freez-
For
Proc-
ing
canning
essing
N.Y.
Pa.
Mich.
Wisc.
Md.
Fla.
Tex.
Ore..
19.0
23.5
25.2
4.0
2.6
6.8
10.6
7.6
6.0
8.6
7.2
2.7
4.9
10.6
9.7
7.0
8.0
7.5
9.9
4.7
9.7
8.3
11.0
13.0
10.3
9.5
7.1
5.8
7.1
119.4
102.9
105.8
118.3
116.2
104.4
106.4
126.4
121.2
120.5
114.9
149.0
153.9
134.5
137.8
151.6
151.0
10.5
10.6
10.8
10.7
34.5
31.6
32.0
33.3
34.8
24.4
26.0
28.5
32.8
35.5
29.6
33.4
37.3
34.0
3.9
3.7
4.1
5.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
5.1
6.1
5.8
6.5
6.6
13.0
12.0
12.0
12.8
13.7
16.0
15.1
16.6
19.3
7.0
21.7
6.4
6.3
6.3
7.0
8.0
6.3
7.1
6.7
7.5
10.0
9.4
7.9
12.7
12.3
18.7
13.6
11.2
8.9
12.5
8.2
9.8
10.1
9.4
10.0
4.9
6.6
6.6
7.4
6.6
7.6
9.4
Years for which data are not available.
ALL GREEN AND WAX BEANS YIELD PER ACRE (TONS)
Yield per acre for processing
U. S. average
Crop year
947
948
949
950
951
952
953
954
955
956
957
958
Fresh
Freez-
For
Proc-
mkt.
ing
canning
essing
N.Y.
Pa.
Mich.
Wisc.
Md.
Fla.
Tex.
Ore.
1.66
1.4
1.4
1.8
1.7
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.6
1.5
2.3
0.6
1.2
1.5
1.5
1.4
1.2
1.3
7.0
7.0
8.2
1.5
1.5
1.5
8.1
1.8
1.3
1.5
1.5
1.6
1.5
1.8
1.9
1.1
1.0
1.4
1.7
1.4
1.9
1.7
2.0
2.4
2.0
1.3
1.4
1.7
1.7
1.2
1.8
1.6
1.9
1.5
1.6
1.1
7.9
7.2
7.6
7.8
7.3
8.1
2.0
8.3
1.42
*
1.50
*
1.55
1.50
1.60
1.55
1.70
1.70
1.80
1.70
1.85
1.75
*
*
1.81
*
*
*
*
*
2.38
2.33
2.59
2.56
2.80
2.21
2.25
2.42
2.31
2.30
Years for which data are not available.
2.09
2.18
2.27
2.09
2.14
2.25
2.27
2.46
2.37
2.40
2.2
2.1
1.8
1.8
1.8
2.3
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.7
1.6
1.3
1.7
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.4
1.6
1.7
1.6
1.7
1.7
1.5
1.7
1.5
1.7
1.7
1.5
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.7
1.7
1.8
8.0
ALL GREEN AND WAX BEANS: TOTAL PRODUCTION (THOUSANDS OF TONS)
Production for processing
U. S. total
Crop year
Fresh
Freez-
For
Proc-
mkt.
ing
canning
essing
N.Y.
Pa.
Mich.
Wisc.
Md.
Fla.
Tex.
Ore.
173.1
26.6
7.5
10.6
13.6
2642
45.4
41.5
46.8
51.3
59.0
56.8
44.4
66.8
10.6
22.1
9.6
18.0
19.2
11.6
14.3
18.2
16.5
16.2
15.0
8.8
32.9
9.2
4.9
6.6
8.1
8.6
9.0
12.6
10.8
9.0
12.2
11.6
13.3
4.1
193.0
10.6
10.2
11.0
16.8
10.6
7.2
11.2
10.8
32.9
34.3
54.1
53.5
59.0
51.7
318.0
316.9
312.2
302.4
316.4
265.2
271.0
270.4
284.3
241.5
252.9
225.5
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
*
*
*
*
*
*
82.1
73.7
83.0
85.1
96.7
264.3
232.0
255.6
273.8
269.1
263.8
273.5
240.5
319.4
346.4
305.7
338.6
358.9
365.8
67.1
54.4
10.1
9.4
12.6
15.2
6.9
13.0
9.9
11.2
21.8
23.3
25.6
19.6
28.2
29.0
30.4
21.6
20.9
14.7
17.2
10.5
32.3
23.9
21.0
15.1
14.1
21.9
17.0
15.1
4.0
5.5
14.8
16.5
11.9
9.6
8.2
18.4
55.1
71.4
81.9
77.4
87.5
88.8
*Years for which data are not available.
ALL GREEN AND WAX BEANS: SEASON AVERAGE PRICE RECEIVED BY GROWERS (DOLLARS PER TON)
Price per ton for processing
U. S. average
Fresh
Crop year
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
mkt.
144.00
162.67
146.80
150.60
162.60
184.60
181.60
163.40
158.20
183.20
181.00
157.80
Freezing
128.50
118.30
126.90
123.20
122.20
* Years for which data are not available.
For
Proc-
canning
essing
116.70
108.90
116.40
116.60
107.50
103.73
122.22
111.70
106.40
113.50
121.20
124.70
119.50
111.10
119.00
118.20
111.40
N.Y.
108.10
136.70
119.60
118.60
121.60
125.60
128.30
121.40
110.60
125.00
111.60
105.00
Pa.
Mich.
Wisc.
Md.
Fla.
96.80
103.10
101.70
95.20
111.10
124.20
134.50
127.80
122.40
121.80
126.30
110.40
108.30
110.30
119.60
106.70
109.00
114.20
115.00
111.80
105.30
108.00
111.60
101.40
104.80
122.50
110.50
114.80
114.50
114.40
114.20
114.30
108.00
105.10
106.40
91.20
83.10
104.00
90.10
86.60
99.40
98.60
112.90
109.00
98.30
105.60
104.20
102.50
102.40
103.70
109.00
100.40
102.60
114.80
135.90
108.80
95.00
115.90
127.90
118.20
Tex.
Ore.
72.50
80.00
76.00
80.00
90.00
82.00
85.00
90.00
82.00
82.00
85.00
92.50
129.70
131.70
134.30
125.70
124.70
121.50
131.10
133.10
126.30
128.20
131.80
129.20
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the advice and assistance of the personnel of the Oregon
Agricultural Experiment Station listed below :
W. A. Frazier, H. J. Mack, J. R. Baggett, and G. Crabtree, Horticulture Department
H. H. Crowell and H. E. Morrison, Entomology Department
E. K. Vaughan, Botany and Plant Pathology Department
22
41SIATE co,
OM
%..4r,Its
sop4,4
.f.1* f`'
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK
In Agriculture and Home Economics
State of Oregon
DEP4 R
°
Oregon State College and the U. S.
Department of Agriculture Cooperating
Oregon State College, Corvallis
Dear Friend:
We are glad to be of service in providing this material in answer
to your request.
As- you may know, the Cooperative Extension Service is an educational agency of Oregon State College at Corvallis, cooperating with
the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the local governing bodies of
all counties in the state and a few cities.
The purpose of the Extension Service is to make available to the
people of the state the latest information on agriculture and home
economics and to help them make use of such information in the improvement of incomes and family living. Extension serves men,
women, andthrough 4-H club workboys and girls.
If you are not already acquainted with your County Extension
Agents, we hope you will call on them at your first opportunity. They
are the local representatives of Oregon State College. They will welcome an opportunity to be of service to you, through an office or telephone call, or, if the problem requires it, through a personal visit to
your farm or home.
If our local representatives do not have the information you desire, they may obtain the help and advice of our staff of specialists in
various fields of agriculture and home economics at the Campus. In
this way, the services of your State College are made available regardless of where you may live in the state. This is a public service
and no charge is made to Oregon residents.
Sincerely yours,
Dean and Director