Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Urbana, Illinois » Global Change and Photosynthesis Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #424598
Title: Field surveys of bush lima bean reveal shortcomings in weed management

Author
item TAKENAKA, YUDAI - University Of Illinois
item PAVLOVIC, PAVLE - University Of Illinois
item VANGESSEL, MARK - University Of Delaware
item SCOTT, BARBARA - University Of Delaware
item COLQUHOUN, JED - University Of Wisconsin
item Williams, Martin

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/17/2025
Publication Date: 6/13/2025
Citation: Takenaka, Y., Pavlovic, P., Vangessel, M., Scott, B., Colquhoun, J., Williams, M. 2025. Field surveys of bush lima bean reveal shortcomings in weed management. HortScience. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18583-25.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18583-25

Interpretive Summary: Most lima beans, an excellent source of dietary protein, consumed in the U.S. are grown and processed in the U.S. Anecdotal reports suggest weeds are a major impediment to lima bean production; however, a quantitative assessment of weeds persisting in lima bean does not exist and the tactics used to manage weeds in the crop have not been documented. We surveyed lima bean fields near the time of harvest in the two major regions of production; the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest U.S. We found that weeds persist in most fields and often at densities that can result in yield loss and contaminate harvested product. Amaranthus species and morningglory species were particularly problematic. Heavy reliance on a few herbicide active ingredients for weed control was observed. This work documents the scope of weed problems in lima bean and identifies how future weed management systems could be improved.

Technical Abstract: To understand the scope of weed problems in commercial lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) production, lima bean fields were surveyed for weeds that escaped control near the time of crop harvest (hereby called residual weeds) from 2019 to 2022 in two major U.S. production regions. Overall weed abundance was determined based on relative density, frequency, and uniformity throughout surveyed fields. Approximately 52 weed species were observed, with differences in weed communities between the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. Significant weeds in the Mid-Atlantic region included common chickweed, (Stellaria media (L.) Vill), amaranth species (Amaranthus spp.), and morningglory species (Ipomoea spp.). Significant weeds in the Midwest region were foxtail species (Setaria spp.), common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), and amaranth species. Crop management practices used in the fields were obtained from collaborating farmers and vegetable processors. Widely adopted mechanical weed control methods included preplant tillage and interrow cultivation. Common herbicides included preemergent applications of S-metolachlor and halosulfuron-methyl. Bentazon was the most common herbicide applied postemergence. Classification and regression tree modeling was used to determine linkages among residual weed coverage and management factors. Despite adoption of multiple chemical and mechanical weed control methods, this survey revealed extensive weed problems in many production fields. Greater diversification of integrated weed management systems is needed, especially for control of amaranth species. This survey will help guide future research efforts for weed control in lima bean production.