ARS | Publication request: REDUCED TILLAGE FOR BEANS

Submitted to: Idaho Winter Commodity School Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: January 20, 1993
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: For many years a common practice has been to grow beans following alfalfa. This practice results in excessive irrigation-induced erosion and a high potential for nitrate leaching. Research results have shown that a better practice is to grow no-till corn and/or cereal the first two seasons following alfalfa, and then grow beans using reduced tillage practices. Applying these research results reduces irrigation-induced erosion more than 80% over the crop rotation cycle, significantly reduces the potential for nitrate leaching, reduces nitrogen fertilizer requirements and costs, and increases farmer net income $50 to $100 per acre each year.