Dry beans should be grown on well drained soils. They are not well adapted to heavy clay soils, and are not tolerant of water logging. Since dry beans are a relatively high value crop, they should be grown on the best soils on the farm. To reduce potential disease problems, it is best to plant dry beans following a grass crop such as corn, wheat or sorghum, rather than after soybeans or sunflowers. Dry beans should not be grown in the same field consecutively.
In southeast Missouri, dry beans can easily be double cropped after wheat. For central Missouri, double cropping dry beans is possible but more questionable. In most years, they will mature before frost if planted July 1, but yields may be lower. Since dry beans have a good profit potential, it is best to plant them as a sole summer crop in the central and northern part of the state. When planted in early June, dry beans will mature in 85 to 115 days. There are four maturity groups and each market class would typically have varieties differing in length of maturity.
Varieties and Seed Sources
There are a large number of dry bean varieties available. The first step in variety selection should be identifying which market class can be most easily and profitably marketed and then decide which bean has the best yield potential. For example, if you determined that the best yielding black bean would only yield 80% of what the best navy bean would yield for your location, you might think the logical choice is the navy bean. Then you might find out that the black bean was worth twice the price of navy beans, was less likely to discolor during harvest, and was easier to sell – clearly, your choice would change. Seed companies that sell dry bean varieties may be able to provide some ideas on market outlets. You can also contact the Jefferson Institute for additional information on market classes and available varieties.
Planting
In Missouri, dry beans can be planted between mid-May and mid-June. Planting in May will generally provide higher yields than planting in June. Planting depth should be 1 to 2 inches. Bush-type dry bean varieties are best planted in 15 inch rows or drilled in narrow rows. Growing them in 30 inch or wider rows does allow cultivation for weed control, but at that spacing, the beans usually fail to “close the row.” Planted in narrow rows, the beans can fill in the rows more quickly, shading out weeds more effectively.
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Seeding rates vary by market class (due to differing seed sizes) and row spacing, with narrow rows requiring a higher planting rate. Seeding rates (in lbs./acre) are:
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Fertility
Dry beans should be innoculated to insure Rhizobium phaeoli is available for nodulation. Although they fix their own nitrogen, dry beans may still show a yield response from applied nitrogen fertilizer or organic sources of nitrogen. For highest yields, especially under irrigation, it may be appropriate to apply 40 to 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre if the goal is maximizing yield. From an environmental standpoint, it might be better to let the dry beans take care of their own nitrogen needs.
Phosphorous and potassium should be applied in accordance with soil test recommendations for soybeans. Banded P and K are recommended for top yields, with the band one inch to the side and two inches below the seed. Soil pH should be between 6.5 and 7.0 for best dry bean yields. Liming is recommended if soil pH is below 6.5.
