By Robert Battel
A 2018 study near Ubly, Michigan, looked at the effects of planting population on dry bean yield.
A population study on dry beans was established in Michigan’s Huron County in 2018. Planted populations ranged from 95,000 seeds per acre to 135,000 seeds per acre in increments of 10,000 seeds per acre. See background information on the plot below:
- Cooperators: Charlie and Seth Briolat
- Nearest town: Ubly, Michigan
- Previous crop: sugarbeets
- Row spacing: 20 inches
- Variety: Zorro black beans
- Planting date: May 30, 2018
- Harvest date: Sept. 29, 2018
- Plot type: strips, 470 feet, replicated four times
Effect of population on dry bean yield |
|---|
Planted population | Actual population | Yield (lbs/A) | Sig |
|---|
95,000 | 92,000 | 4,010 | b |
105,000 | 104,000 | 3,989 | ab |
115,000 | 114,000 | 3,966 | ab |
125,000 | 126,000 | 4,221 | b |
135,000 | 132,000 | 3,701 | a |
LSD 0.05 (lbs/A) | 302.0 | -- | -- |
CV (%) | 14.4 | -- | -- |
All planted populations of 95,000 to 125,000 seeds per acre yielded statistically similarly. The 135,000 seeds per acre planted population yielded significantly lower than the 95,000 and the 125,000 planted populations.
The grower was interested in looking at populations at this site because it is prone to white mold. Although white mold was not found at this site in 2018, it does appear that the grower can plant at lower populations, protecting against white mold development, without fear of losing yield.