Bean varieties are characterized by their growth habitat. Indeterminate plants continuously grow and exhibit long vines. Most of the commonly grown bean types have a semi-determinate growth habit, meaning they continue to grow after flowering begins and develop short to long vines. Determinate types tend to flower and ripen over a short period. Determinate types […]
Seed Quality Using high-quality, pedigreed seed from inspected fields is important to promote early season vigour and reduce the risk of seed-borne disease. Bacterial blights, anthracnose and BCMV are seed-borne diseases that cause serious issues in some years. Most coloured bean seed (except black bean seed) is imported from arid growing regions in the U.S. […]
Annual variety performance information is published by the Ontario Pulse Crop Committee at www.GoCrops.ca Before deciding on a marketing class, carefully consider the unique production requirements and risks for each class. There are differing seed sizes and plant architectures that may dictate the required equipment and harvest method, and for some classes there are distinct […]
The most important factors in field selection include: Soil Type and Structure Fields planted to dry edible beans are susceptible to soil erosion due to late planting, slow growth and the relatively poor root systems of the crop. The crop canopy and crop residue only protect the soil for a relatively short period of the […]
Dry edible beans grow best in soils with excellent soil structure and good drainage. The seedbed requirements are similar to those for soybeans, including a firm seedbed to enhance a uniform planting depth and good seed-to-soil contact to promote rapid and uniform emergence. The best, highest-yielding stands come from beans that emerge within a week […]
Introduction Gibberella ear rot concerns the industry because of DON concentrations. It is well known that DON concentrations are highly dependent on interactions among hybrids, pathogens, and the environment. Starting in 2019, the Ontario Corn Committee (OCC) refined protocols for testing hybrid sensitivity to DON accumulation with confidence based on an assessed risk. This inaugural […]
Ontario research has demonstrated that winter wheat in rotation improves corn and soybean yields. But with greater returns on corn and soybean acres, do these yield benefits outweigh revenue reductions from wheat acres? We will answer that question using University of Guelph research to help you make the most profitable crop rotation decisions. The simple […]
Co-written by Dr. Lori Phillips, AAFC Harrow Multicropping practices like double cropping and relay intercropping hold the promise of increased productivity and profitability through the harvest of two crops per year on the same acres of land. Double cropping in southern Ontario is not a new practice; farmers in Essex, Kent and Lambton have for […]
Since the first discovery of Bt resistant ECB populations to Cry1Fa in Nova Scotia in 2018, more populations of Bt resistant ECB have been found in a number of provinces and one US state (Connecticut). Not only is ECB developing resistance to Cry1Fa, but also to Cry1Ab, Cry1A.105 and Cry2b2. As they develop resistance to […]
Frost seeding is a popular way to renovate an existing forage stand and is most effective in fields where patches of bare soil at least the size of a loonie are visible. With spring around the corner, many producers have questions about how to best use this technique to improve their hay fields and pastures. […]
Warm weather and early planting are some of the factors that contributed to big winter canola plants heading into winter in December 2024. There was a lot of foliage and raised growing points. View the December 2024 video here. Did the canola survive the winter? Check this field with me in March 2025. […]
Nutrient deficiencies occur regularly in Ontario and can be the cause of substantial yield loss depending on the type, severity and timing. Their presence is particularly frustrating when soil test levels show adequate levels of fertility. The simple answer Nutrient deficiencies can appear in soils testing moderate or high in plant nutrients given the right […]
With a narrow window to establish cover crops after corn harvest, some farmers have experimented with inter-seeding cover crops when corn is at the 6-8 leaf stage. However, the sensitivity of different cover crops to residual corn herbicides is unknown and could negatively affect their establishment. A multi-year study looked at the sensitivity of six […]
The soil fertility benefits of applying livestock manure are significant. But storage is key. Uncovered storage facilities result in manure with a high volume of water and low nutrient value being shipped to fields. Fortunately, changes to storage facilities can improve efficiency of nutrient transport. The simple answer By covering liquid manure storage and diverting […]
Sulphur (S) is an essential nutrient necessary for plant growth. In the past it was assumed that soil sulphur supplies were adequate to meet soybeans full yield potential. Since air-borne sulphur emissions have been drastically reduced in the Great Lakes Basin, is it now necessary to feed soybeans sulphur? The simple answer In 2023 three […]