Dry Bean Production in Zero and Conventional Tillage

Adoption of zero tillage production practices for dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) has lagged behind that of many other crops. A field experiment was conducted at two locations on the Canadian prairies to determine the response of dry bean planted into various crop stubbles in conventional and zero tillage. Dry bean emergence was delayed in one of six site years with zero tillage (ZT) compared with conventional tillage (CT) but maturity date was not affected. Dry bean density was never lower with ZT compared with CT and was higher in a few instances. There were no differences in insect or disease infestations between the two tillage treatments. Weed densities were slightly greater with ZT compared with CT but were well controlled with in-crop applications of sethoxydim and bentazon. Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) was the only previous crop to negatively affect dry bean yield as volunteer flax was not adequately controlled with bentazon. Over all previous crop stubbles and years, dry bean yield was similar in both tillage systems. Dry bean yielded 2060 and 2110 kg ha^-1, and 1600 and 1710 kg ha^-1 with CT and ZT at Lethbridge and Lacombe, Alberta, respectively. These results indicate that there is potential for successful production of dry bean within ZT cropping systems.