Optimizing Plant Spatial Arrangement and Weed Management for Dry Bean Production

Plant spatial arrangement, (combination of seeding density and row spacing) is a key factor for achieving maximum yield potential through maximizing early ground cover (the crop’s ability to intercept light, soil resource acquisition, early season biomass accumulation) and the ability to compensate for biotic and abiotic stresses during the growing season. Currently recommended seeding rates for field bean are outdated and, as for many other crops, need to be revisited and optimized for modern varieties. Beans are a plant species with an indeterminate growth habit and market classes typically contain varieties with very different morphologies and branching structures. Optimal plant stands for these divergent morphologies within market class may not be the same.  Field studies will be conducted at multiple sites in Manitoba on pinto and navy bean using two varieties with divergent growth habits within each market class to determine optimum plant spatial arrangement and densities to maximize yield and tolerance to cumulative biotic and abiotic stresses using an empirical modeling approach. This will allow for the determination of the range of optimum densities and row spacing combinations at which maximum productivity can be expected and also indicate the lower limit of optimal plant stands that may require additional or more diligent management as well as suboptimal plant stands.