Crop and weed management practices of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) production fields in the United States

Authors: PAVLOVIC, PAVLE - University Of Illinois; COLQUHOUN, JED - University Of Wisconsin; KORRES, NICHOLAS - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); LIU, RUI - Washington State University; LOWRY, CAROLYN - Pennsylvania State University; PEACHEY, ED - Oregon State University; SCOTT, BARBARA - University Of Delaware; SOSNOSKI, LYNN - Cornell University; VANGESSEL, MARK - University Of Delaware; Williams, Martin

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/11/2024
Publication Date: 1/31/2025
Citation: Pavlovic, P., Colquhoun, J., Korres, N., Liu, R., Lowry, C., Peachey, E., Scott, B., Sosnoski, L., Vangessel, M., Williams, M. 2025. Crop and weed management practices of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) production fields in the United States. HortScience. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18254-24.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18254-24

Interpretive Summary: Although weeds are damaging to snap bean and contaminate snap bean products, little is known about the management practices used to control weeds in growers' fields. Throughout the major snap bean producing regions of the U.S., weed and crop management records of 358 fields were obtained and analyzed. We found that most fields rely heavily on a few herbicides for weed control. The lack of diversity in herbicide mode of action and active ingredient is a concern for herbicide resistance management. Row cultivation was used in some fields and not related to the use of other weed management practices. Information presented here could prove useful to growers, extension, industry, and university personnel for improving the long-term sustainability of U.S. snap bean production.

Technical Abstract: Agronomic and weed management practices employed by growers in the production of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) for the processing industry are poorly characterized. To address this knowledge gap, a survey was conducted across the three main production regions (Northwest, Midwest, and Northeast) in the United States. Records of agronomic and weed management practices were obtained from 358 snap bean fields. The agronomic data included snap bean variety, seeding rate, crop row width, planting date, harvest date, preceding crop, preplant tillage type, and use of irrigation. Weed management data included both the mechanical and chemical techniques used for weed control. Spring tillage and irrigation were commonly utilized practices across all regions. Weed management was dominated by the use of row cultivation and a narrow spectrum of preemergence and postemergence herbicides. The Northwest production region had different crop and weed management practices compared to the Midwest and Northeast production regions.