MN Fruit & Vegetable IPM News - Vol. 2, No. 2

During the 2004 data were recorded on the relationship between stand and yield of the processing snap bean variety ‘Hystyle’. Plant stand to yield relationships were evaluated at Rosemount and Le Sueur locations. Plots consisted of 4 rows and were replicated 4 times. After plant emergence, seedlings were pulled from each row to create varying plant densities.

Results indicate that a final stand of 6 plants/ft (Figure 1) provides the best balance between plant density and yield. When plant density is above 6 plants/ft, the rate at which yield increases is reduced, and eventually levels off. At this point the cost of seed/acre continues to increase, while the yield/acre remains the same. Therefore, final plant stands of more than 6 plants/ft may result in a decrease in profits. To achieve a final stand of 6 plants/ft, a slightly higher seeding rate may be necessary to account for germination levels below 100%. These results are for ‘Hystyle’ and may vary by variety.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Co-Editors: Bill Hutchison ( hutch002@umn.edu), Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, Jeanne Ciborowski, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Ag. Resources Management and Development Division, and Suzanne Wold-Burkness ( woldx018@umn.edu), Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

The Newsletter is published weekly from May through August, cooperatively, by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the University of Minnesota (U of MN). Reports are posted on the U of MN and MDA web sites on Fridays. If you have suggestions and/or comments, please send your contributions by 4 p.m., Wednesday to Jeanne Ciborowski, 651-297-3217, jeanne.ciborowski@state.mn.us , MDA, 90 W. Plato Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55107-2094. You can access the Newsletter at the U of MN web site in htm format at: www.vegedge.umn.edu/MNFruit&VegNews/mnindex.htm and at the MDA web site in pdf format at: www.mda.state.mn.us/biocon/fruitreports/

Partial funding for this publication is provided through partnership agreements with the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (MFVGA) and the United States Department of Agriculture – Risk Management Agency (RMA). These institutions are equal opportunity providers.

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