VOLUME X
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY. JULY 1961
NUMBER 3
Planting Date Affeds Bush Bean Yields
In general, mid-season plantings of bush
beans grew faster and yielded more than
early or late plantings. This conclusion is
based on three years' work at the OSU Vege­
table' Research farm.
Days from planting to harvest of bush
beans ranged from 64 to 83 at Corvallis and
from 68 to 85 days at Aurora in 1960. Seven
plantings of OSC 1139 dwarf Blue Lake beans
and Tendercrop bush beans were made at
approximately two-week intervals from April
30 to July 23 to study growth, development,
yield, and quality.
Data on planting dates, harvest dates,
and yields are presented in Table L Yields
are on the basis of a "once-over" harvest by
hand. Yields at Corvall1s were highest for
plantings 3, 4, and 5 and highest for plantings
5, 6, and 7 at Aurora. Yields of Tendercrop
averaged about 3/4 ton higher than yields of
OSC 1139 at Aurora and almost 1 1/2 tons
higher than 1139 at Corvallis. In other tests,
however, a number of OSU lines yielded
higher than Tendercrop. A heavy incidence
of rust probably accounted for a major yield
reduction of 1139 in the last planting at
Corvallis. Sieve-size grade data indicated
high percentages of sizes 5 and 6 beans at
harvest of Tendercrop in the last planting at
Aurora.
(Continued next page)
Snap Bean Field Day
Planned for July 27
You are invited to view snap bean experi­
mental plots at the OSU Vegetable Research
,.,
Farm July 27. The
:::::::- field day begins at
1:30 p. m.
I~
Various phases of
research underway
on the farm involve
both bush and pole'
beans. In most cases they include the follow­
ing:
r
Cultural Studies: Fertilizer, blossom
drop-growth regulators and other aspects.
irrigation, and planting dates.
(Continued page 4)
1" ~ 144«e , , ,
Page
Planting Date Affects Bush Bean Yields .
Snap BeanField Day Planned for July 27.
Status of Systemic Insecticides • • • .
Concentrate Brussels Sprouts • . • •
Spread Your Risk Through Marketing •
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1
1
5
7
8
2
Bush Bean Yields ...
(Continued from page 1)
Grade distribution data and calculated value of bush beans at Corvallis are presented in
Table 2.
The patterns of development to first bloom and to harvest of beans planted on different
dates at Corvallis are given in Table 3. In 1960 heat unit accumulation (heat units in degree
days--base temperature of 50 0 F. subtracted from daily average of minimum and maximum
temperatures) from planting to harvest ranged from 1,050 to 1,350 for the seven plantings
at Corvallis. In general, emergence of 1139 was one to three days faster than Tendercrop,
although harvest date of Tendercrop was one to three days earlier than for 1139.
Plantings made in June had the shortest time interval from planting to harvest while
those made earlier or later required a longer time interv'al to reach harvest maturity (note
Table 3). It would also appear from these data that plantings made after mid-July would not
be ready for harvest until mid-October or later. There would be a question in most years
as to feasibility of commercial harvest of bush beans after October 1 in the Willamette Valley.
Quality studies made on canned samples of beans of sieve sizes 3 and 5 at each of the
harvests, or plantings, indicated that percent fiber of the two types was practically parallel
at each harvest date. There was a decrease in fiber in the last two harvests of both 1139
and Tendercrop which was probably associated with cooler temperatures during pod develop­
ment. Beans from the last harvest were darker green in color than beans from earlier
harvests. Sieve size 5 beans were distinctly lighter in color than sieve 3 beans.
Although tllese data are of a preliminary nature, further studies are being conducted this
summer on growth of bush beans planted at different times. Should tllere be considerable
expansion of bush-bean~acreagein this area, scheduling of plantings would be important in
attempting to maintain an even flow of the raw product into processing plants.
--H. J. Mack and W. A. Frazier
I-Iorticulture Department
--R. M. Bullock
North Willamette Experiment Station
--W. A. Sistrunk
Food & Dairy Technology Department
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Oregon's Vegetable Digest is published four times a year by the Agricultural Experiment Station, Ore­
gon State University, Corvallis. F. E. Price, Director. Address correspondence to the author c'oncerned
or to the Department of Horticulture.
Material Inay be rcprinted providing no endorSC111cnt of a cOlnnlercial product is stated or ilnplied. I~leasc credit
Oregon State lJniverslty. '1"0 'silllplify technical tenninology, trade n~llnes of products or equipl11cnt SOI11etinles
will be used. ~J () endOrSClllent of products nanlcd is intended nor is criticisl11 il11plied of products not 111entioned.
3
Table 1. Influence 'of planting dates on harvest dates and
yield of ase 1139 and Tendercrop bush beans-­
Corvallis and Aurora t 1960
Corvallis
Planting date Harvest date Yield--Tons/A
T.e.
1139 T.e.
1139
4/30
7/16
7/18
5.8
5.4
4/30
7/21
2.3
1.8
5/9
7/19
7/20
5.0
4.9
5/10
8/3
3.5
2.7
5/23
7/30
8/1
6.1
6.8
5/27
8/11
2.5
2.1
6/7
8/10
8/12
7.5
6.4
6/9
8/16
4.2
2.9
6/21
8/24
8/24
8.6
5.6
6/23
8/31
3.5
4.2
7/5
9/14
9/16
6.9
4.6
7/8
9/17
4.1
3.2
7/19
10/6
10/10
5.6
2.f
7/23
10/10
6.1
4.7
Table 2.
Grade distribution and calculated value of bush beans -- Corvallis, 1960
asc
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Aurora
Planting date Harvest date Yield--Tons/A
1139
T.e.
% in Sieve sizes
5
6
1-2-3 4
Planting
date
1 April
2 May
3 May
4 June
5 June
6 July
7 July
30
9
21
16
37
19
23
7
11
20
16
18
14
5
14
17
14
19
25
21
21
Tendercrop
1139
36
6
47 16
50 18
38 25
46 22
40 30
44 10
Yield
Gross
(Tons/A) (value $)
5.44
4.92
6.8:3
6.36
5.64
4.58
2.06
598
487
662
609
546
425
241
Gross
Yield
% in Sieve sizes
6 (Tons/A) (value $)
5
1-2-3 4
19
15
18
24 42
21
25
15
9
12
18
9
8
11
10
14
52 12
49
8
45 21
40 35
28 35
26 49
5.81
5.05
6.11
7.47
8.55
6.91
5.59
599
514
645
729
730
535
437
Arbitrary values for comparison: $145 per ton for sieve size 1-2-3; $115 per ton for
sieve size 4; $92.50 per ton for sieve size 5; $65 per ton for sieve size 6; no value for
sizes above 6.
(Continued next page)
11~1tde/
Leopold and Lam, in recent experiments on removal of leaves from seedlings of early
and late varieties of tomatoes, have shown that leaf removal promotes relatively early
flowering of late varieties, but has little effect on early varieties. This research may offer
a clue to the relatively favorable behavior of late varieties in the Milton-Freewater area of
Oregon, where considerable pruning of plants is sometimes practiced. (Proc. Amer. Soc.
Hort. Sci. 76: 543-547. 1960.)
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4
Table 3. Growth of bush beans planted at different dates -­
1952, 1959 t 1960, Corvallis
1952 (Processor)
Heat units
First
First
Pl. date bloom Harvest bloom Harvest
Days to:
April!l
April 25
9
May
May 25
June 9
June 24
July
8
525
479
59
57
53
90
45
42
73
522
70
38
66
575
662
40
71
768
90
83
530
1959 (OBC 734)
Days to:
Heat units
-­
April 25
May 10
May 20
57
-­
-- ........
-­
43
511
554
553
904
925
1036
-­
-­
-­
82
70
67
-­
-­
--­
---­
July 19
42
76
868
April 30
9
May
May 23
June 7
June 21
July
5
July 19
-­
-­
-­
-­
--­
--­
-- ...
.-..,
.... ..---­
1329
Heat units in degree days using 50 0
on Processor bush beans.
1121
1212
1960 (OBC 1139)
Heat units
First
First
Pl. date bloom Harvest bloom Harvest
--­
50
1067
1104
Days to:
First
First
Pl. date bloom Harvest bloom Harvest
-­
885
1009
1095
F~
-­
54
49
46
40
37
39
44
-­
79
72
70
66
64
73
83
--­
581
576
726
694
737
818
810
... _... ­
1061
1041
1226
1250
1237
1342
1326
base temperature; 1952 work by S. B. Apple, Jr. ,
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Snap Bean Field Day . ..
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(Continued from page 1)
Breeding: Blue Lake bu~h development, improvement of pole beans, and resistance to
rootrot, rust, and yellow mosaic.
Weed Control
Entomological Studies: Symphylids ~ slugs, and nitidulids controls.
Breeding, cultural, weed control, and insect control wor k also is being conducted on
other vegetable crops and results may be observed.
To reach the Vegetable Research Farm, cross the V~n> Buren Street bridge going east
from Corvallis, turn left on Smith IJane about one- half mile from the bridge; turn right,
then left through the "cut" and immediately onto the farm. Parking areas will be designated.
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Status of Systemic Insecticides Summarized
During the past 10 years the development of "systemic" insecticides has created consid­
erable interest. These materials, when applied to the foliage of plants or placed in the soil t
are absorbed and translocated, usually towards the growing tips, where they kill pests feed­
ing on plant juices or tissues. The .idea" although not ne\v ,has fascinating possibilities for
plant protection. A toxic material within the plant can mini1niz·e danger to beneficial para­
sites and predators and therefore supplement natural or biological control of plant pests.
As plants grow, the new tissue is not protected by conventional insecticides without repeated
applications. Systemic insecticides have the ability to protect new growth over long periods
of time.
A recent publication of the Agricultural Research Service of the U. S. Department of
A.griculture (ARS Special Report, A.RS 22-61, Sept. 1960) summarizes the available informa­
tion on these systemic insecticides -- their history, present status,
and what the future may hold.
Twenty or more insecticides have been discovered to have
systemic properties, but only a half dozen have so far been seriously
considered for use on horticultural crops. Research has yet to find
$ .~ why some chemicals have systemic properties and others do not.
.,,,....,,....... '"1
Several of the insecticides which are absorbed by plants are known
to be changed chemically by the plant metabolism into compounds more toxic than the original
material. This fact complicates the problem of establishing safe use of systemics in food
crops.
The history of systemic behavior goes back at least -to the 15th century to Leonardo da
Vinci's experiments with arsenic injected into pea.ch trees to kill pests feeding on them.
Unfortunately, this also made the fruits poisonous to human beings. Other materials,
particularly selenium compounds, have been shown to be systemic insecticides, but the dis­
covery of the organic phosphorus systemics occurred less than 15 years ago with Gerhard
Schrader's work in Germany. Progress along this line has accelerated during the past
4 or 5 years.
The USDA report lists 7 systemics which it says are now in use in the United States or
which will probably be in use soon. Our knowledge of three of these chemicals has advanced
to the stage where they have been included in the vegetable section of the Oregon Insect
Control Handbook recommendations for 1961:
Demeton (Systox), effective against aphids and mites, works systemically for a week or
two after one application to the foliage or soil. It is in the parathion class of high toxicity
to higher animals. Phosdrin is unique in having a very short toxic life (one to three days)
in plants. It is not only effective against sucking insects, but also shows great promise for
control of certain chewing pests and has Federal registration on a number of vegetable crops.
It is also highly toxic to higher animals and must be handled with great caution. Phorate
(Thimet) is used mostly as a seed or soil treatment where it is absorbed, converted into
highly insecticidal substances, and translocated by the plant. 'Its toxic life is quite long,
giving protection from aphids, mites, and certain other pests on some crops for as long as
two months. It is also included in the highly toxic category for higher animals.
(Continued next page)
6
Status of Systemic Insecticides ...
(Continued from page 5)
Two other materials discussed in th.e USDA. report,. which show great promise'for gen­
eral use in the near future~ are Di-syston and phosphamidon. The former is most effective
.when used as a soil treatment, as in the case of phorate. Phosphamidon is water soluble,
which may lessen the danger of toxic residues remaining in oily or waxy food plants. It
Shows great promise against a number of chewing and sucking insect pests.
Since this report was published (Septembe;r 1960) several new developments have taken
place. For example, methyl demeton (meta-Systox) is mentioned as being largely abandoned
in favor of the more toxic demeton. Actually the methyl form haS been found to have distinct
advantages t such as qUick knockdown (important in the control of vectors of plant virus
diseases), as well as being appreciably less toxic to mammals than demeton. Research is
continuing to find where methyl demeton will fit into the plant protection picturect A new
phosphate systemic has recently been introduced from England (called Menazon or PP 175)
which has the advantage over previously discovered systemics of being of very low mam­
malian toxicity. Its action is slow, but persistent, and it may find a place in horticulture
as a preventative of aphid and mite bu.ildups, rather than a control for existing insect popula­
tions.
Why are we not making more and better use of the systemic insecticides? A number of
reasons are pointed out in the USDA report, the primary ones being (1) the limited spectruff1
of insect pests susceptible to the chemicals so far discovered, (2) the problem of toxic resi­
dues remaining in the food plant at harvest, and (3) the fact that most of the systemics are
highly toxic to human beings and thus hazardous to use. Research is continuing to find
answers to these and other questions associated with the use of tl1ese interesting pestici.des.
-- H. H. Crowell
Entomology Department
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Kaplan and Macneish have recently reported finding remains of pods of a "wildu type
runner bean at cave levels in Mexico datil1g back 7500 to 9000 years. Remains of the
"garden" bean dated back 4300 to 6000 years; lima bean only 500 to 1800 years ago. (Bot.,
Mus. Leafl. Harv ~ IB: 33-56.. 1960.)
• • •
Zink and Kimble have recently shown that infection of lettuce with mosaic virus call~es
the most serious losses in crop yield when infection occurs early in growth of the plant"
Use of disease-free seed is one means of reducing losses from the virus. Proc. Amer .. SOCt;
Hort. Sci. 76: 448-454..
1960.,
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7
Concentrate Brussels Sprouts for Easier Harvest
Even Brussels sprouts may yet give way to mechanized harvesting I
If the terminal growing point is removed by making a small slanting cut with a sharp knife
to remove the tip of the stem, most of the axillary-buds will begin growth. In two years of
very limited testing at Corvallis it has been observed that the best time to remove the ter­
minal growing point is when the first sprouts at the base of the stem are 3/8 to 1/2 inch in
diameter.
Sprouts were subsequently harvested by stripping off the leaves, pulling the plants out by
the roots, taking them indoors, and cutting off the sprouts with a sharp knife.
It is conceivable that such a technique might be refined and the operation expanded so that
successive portions of an acreage could be topped at intervals to provide a sequence of har­
vest. Plants could probably be cut off rather than uprooted (though the mature stems are
surprisingly tough), and the sprouts and leaves cut off by putting the stem through a circular
set of knives similar to a corn cutter. Leaves and sprouts could then be separated by large
mesh, screens.
The F-l hybrid variety Jade Cross was uniform in growth and was better adapted to this
technique than was Catskill. Jade Cross was more susceptible to frost injury in late fall.
References describing this technique have not been found but it is believed that credit
belongs to the Unilever research organization, Sharnbrook, Bedford, England.
Left-not topped. Note retarded development of 'buds
on upper half of stem. Right-terminal growing point
removed when first sprouts were 3/8 to 1/2 inch in diam­
eter. Note uniform development of sprouts throughout
length of stem. Variety-Catskill.
...•
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,~~, . -,.;,., ." '. '~:
.h -If 'jA;,.4.~bi( "
.....
.. '711'*;
'"'
g'
'.
-""
J
.<:
...........
'.,..,
. ..
~
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All plants in this group were topped. Development of
sprouts was about the same at the time this picture was
taken, ahhough the treatment in this case included top­ ping of three of those plants 10 days later. leaves were
removed just before picture was taken.
'I
'I.
--oJ
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~
\ ~:-::-
.-
~
. .
r·.'
:- ....
~
.......
....
~ ..'t
~-
....'lo,'
'..of ... T,
'.:::" I} 1°­
'.-J~
--Andrew A. Duncan
Horticulture Department
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8
Spread Your Risk Through Marketing
Not every vegetable grower in Oregon can afford to operate a roadside stand, but tllere
are many who can't afford not to! The cost-price squeeze is continuing to eat up the small­
vo~ume producer as is shown by U. S. Census data on agriculture. Everyone in agriculture
is concerned about this situation, but for different reasons. However, outside of agriculture
the same type of thing is happening with far less concern or at least far less publicity.
In agriculture, mergers and consolidations are not as frequent as in the nonagricultural
businesses. Instead 9f merging or consolidating with some other firm. agricultural business
usually makes an outright sale or goes broke.
The nonagricultural firm often merges with its competitor to maintain or take a larger
share of the market; thus both firms survive. Another quite common practice is a merger
between two firms in separate industries in order to maintain income and spread risk.
Vegetable growers wanting to maintain complete control of their resources and decision­
making prerogatives may want to consider the possibility of operating another firm -- that
of fresh market sales.
Last year just under 12,400 carloads of fresh fruits and vegetables were unloaded at
Portland, Oregon. These cars contained 56 different fruits and vegetables, many of which
can be produced here in Oregon. This does
not reflect the volume of produce items that
was unloaded in other cities of the state. We
know that a good many trucks, cars, and other
commercial conveyances come into Oregon
from Washington, Idaho, and California.
They are unloaded prior to reaching Portland.
Therefore t it Is easy to conclude that Ore.goll
does use a large volume of fruits and vege­
tables in fresh form and that much of this volume comes from other states. The potential
is here, but it is not being exploited.
Some farmers are in an ideal position to get into the fresh market business by starting
roadside stands. A roadside stand does not have to be an elaborate setup, the first few years.
It can grow and expand as business warrants and as time and resources permit.
The roadside-stand business today Is almost a natural. Consider a few of the changes
in our mode of living that have taken place in the past decade:
(1) The growth of urban centers; (2) improved roads linking these urban centers; (3)
increased use of automobiles; (4) shorter ·working hours and more leisure time; (5) an
increased number of tourists visiting Oregon; and (6) more people working in the cities and
living in the urban or rural areas. These factors contribute to the success of a roadside
stalld.
Despite the fact that a great many consumers buy and use the so-called "convenience­
type foods" there comes a time when a desire for some good, fresh fruits and vegetables
will turn the food buyer from the produce counter toward the farm.
(Continued next page)
9
Fresh Marketing ...
(Continued from page 8)
If a roadside stand is on his way to the crowded shopping center it will serve as a magnet
to draw him in. If the display of fresh fruits and vegetables Is attractive, impulse buying
may take place and another family may decide to buy and eat fresh produce in season.
For a roadside stand the following principles should .be reviewed and studied:
(1) A good location on a busy road.
(2) A neat stand with tidy, pleasant surroundings.
(3) Ample, convenient parking space.
(4) Well planned signs and other advertising.
(5) Adequate volume of good quality produce.
(6) Pricing that is consistent with quality and competition.
(7) A well maintained and well arranged display.
(8) Honest weight and courteous service.
(9) A real interest in people -- prospective customers.
Once the roadside stand is established, merchandising techniques are easily acquired.
However, main consideration should be given to display. A good produce display has eye
appeal, shows good management, and makes shopping easy.
Clearly marked price tags on every item encourage buying and help build volume.
Packaging is also helpful; it encourages impulse buying and makt!.s produce easier to handle.
However, there should be enough variation in package size to fit the needs of all sizes of
families from two to six. It is also well to let the customer know that bulk quantities are
available at lower prices. This will encourage home canning and freezing and a greater
volume of dollar sales.
A combination packing house and roadside stand allows the farmer to sell his produce
through fresh market outlets and affords him an additional outlet for his entire production.
This activity is similar to one nonagricultural firm merging with another to maintain.a
larger share of the market or to spread marketing risks.
--R. H. Groder
Extension Marketing Specialist
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