Early season, The Bean Report

The Bean Report – May 13, 2020

May 13, 2020

Listen to the Bean Report here:

Seeding Update

  • Seeding is progressing very slowly in MB due to cool weather and saturated soil. Pea and faba bean seeding is officially underway, beginning a couple weeks ago and continuing into the coming weeks for different regions.
  • The On-Farm Network field season has begun! Our first trial was seeded last week to investigate the effect of nitrogen fertility on protein in field peas. This is a new trial for MPSG.
    • Other new questions we’re investigating this year include faba bean seeding rates and strip till vs. conventional till in dry beans.
  • Average soil temperatures are still low across the province. This is fine for faba beans that can germinate in 3°C soil and peas that can germinate in 5°C soil. If seedlings haven’t emerged at the time of a frost or snowfall event, they will not be damaged. Once emerged, peas and faba beans are tolerant to frost and can regrow from below-ground nodes. Soybean and dry bean seedlings prefer warmer soil temperatures and are susceptible to frost damage.
  • Manitoba Agriculture’s Crop Report and Crop Weather Report #2

Field Pea Inoculation

  • Double inoculate first-time pea fields. Single inoculate if the field has a history of peas and if previous crops have nodulated well.
  • Peat and granular formulations provide some protection against environmental stress, compared to liquid.
  • Wondering about inoculation strategies for peas? Visit our web post on field pea inoculation.

Field Pea Herbicide Options

Courtesy of Tammy Jones, Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development

Faba Bean Seeding Tips

  • Aim to plant faba beans as soon as the field is passable (mid-April to early May).
  • Target 45 live plants/m2 (182,000 plants/ac). Adjust your seeding rate based on expected survival and seed weight.
  • The recommended seeding depth is 2-3 inches. Shallower seeding is fine when soil moisture is sufficient for germination.
  • Large faba bean seeds can easily plug an air seeder. Seed slowly (< 5mph) and increase air flow to prevent plugging. Check the openers regularly, which is where seed gets plugged most often.
  • Single inoculate with Rhizobium leguminosarum.
  • The maximum safe rate of seed-placed phosphorus is 40 lbs P2O5/ac.
  • Herbicide options for faba beans:

Courtesy of Tammy Jones, Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development

Soybean Seeding Tips

  • The planting window in Manitoba is flexible throughout the month of May. The first three weeks in May have shown the greatest yield potential, but soybeans are susceptible to frost. Aim to plant within two weeks of your last expected spring frost to ensure seedlings emerge into a frost-free environment. Warm soil (>14°C at 10AM) and warm weather following seeding promote faster emergence.
  • Target 140-160,000 live plants/ac. Use the Bean App Seeding Rate Calculator for your most economical seeding rate.
  • Seed at a depth of 0.5-1.5 inches.
  • Double inoculate first-time soybean fields. Single inoculate if the field has a history of soybeans, if previous crops have nodulated well and if the most recent soybean crop was within the past four years.
  • The maximum safe rate of seed-placed phosphorus is 20 lbs P2O5/ac in narrow rows with good soil moisture and 10 lbs P2O5/ac in wide rows.
  • Utilize seed treatment based on your risk of early season insect and disease pests.

On-Farm Network Update

The On-Farm Network 2020 field season is officially underway! The first of approximately 65 trials was seeded last week.

This year, in addition to our long term trial types (including trials such as soybean population, soybean inoculant, and fungicide trials in peas, dry beans and soybeans) we also have some new exciting research on the go! We will be investigating fababean seeding rates, pea nitrogen fertility and the effect on protein, and strip tillage vs. conventional tillage in dry bean.

Stay tuned to MPSG’s social media for updates on OFN research throughout the season!

Have a question about the OFN? Contact Megan Bourns, On-Farm Network Agronomist, at 204-751-0439 or megan@manitobapulse.ca.

Upcoming Webinar: