Snap Bean Variety Trial

Eric Burkness, Suzanne Wold, and W.D. Hutchison, Dept. of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minn.

The purpose of this trial was to assess the susceptibility of several snap bean varieties to European corn borer damage and yield potential. The trial was conducted at the Rosemount Agricultural Experiment Station, during 1999 and 2000.

Commonly grown snap bean varieties were selected based on recommendations from Midwest snap bean growers and food processing companies. Varietal entries in the 1999 trial included 9 processing varieties: ‘Trublue’, ‘Hercules’, ‘Goldrush’ (yellow wax bean), ‘Venture’, ‘Hystyle’, ‘Scyla’, ‘Kylian’, ‘Evergreen’, and ‘Bush Blue Lake 156’. In 2000, an additional 4 fresh-market varieties were added to the trial including ‘Strike’, ‘Benchmark’, ‘Landmark’, and ‘Bronco’. In 1999 and 2000, plots were established on 7/12 and 7/11, respectively. For both years, plots were 4 rows wide with a skip row and 40 ft long, separated by 20 ft alleys. Plots were set up in a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. Plots were artificially infested in 1999 on 8/20 at 1st blossom with 25 ECB larvae / plant and in 2000 on 8/18 with 60 ECB larvae / plant. Ten consecutive plants, from one of the middle 2 rows in each plot, were infested. Plots were harvested in 1999 on 9/7 and in 2000 on 9/5 by selecting 5 plants from the 10 infested plants and data was recorded for total number of pods, number of damaged pods, number of ECB larvae, stem feeding/damage, and yield.

Clearly, all varieties of snap beans tested were susceptible to ECB infestations and damage. In 1999 and 2000, there were no significant differences in total pod count for any varieties (Tables 1 and 2). Total pods / 5 plants ranged from 93-142. Yield differences did occur; however this was likely due to differences in agronomic characteristics (i.e., days to maturity) between varieties. There were few significant differences in either year for total damaged pods, total ECB (whole plant), total ECB (pods), and percentage of stems damaged (Tables 1 and 2). However, 2 processing varieties, ‘Scyla’ and ‘Kylian’, performed well in both years with no ECB in the pods and 0-1 damaged pods. Despite the lack of significant differences overall percentage of pods damaged / 5 plants was low ranging from 0-7% and in most cases was less than 3%.

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Co-Editors: Bill Hutchison, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, hutch002@tc.umn.edu
Jeanne Ciborowski, IPM Program, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, jeanne.ciborowski@state.mn.us
Cindy Tong, Department of Horticulture, University of Minnesota, c-tong@tc.umn.edu
Production Editor: Suzanne Wold, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, woldx018@tc.umn.edu

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Last Revised February 22, 2001.
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