1995 Dry Bean & Southern Pea Variety Observations
Crosbyton Seed Company Research Farm
Crosbyton, Texas

Cooperators:
David Bender, Texas A&M University Research & Extension Center
Bill Dean, Idaho Seed Bean Company
Joe Dwyer, Oilseeds, Inc.
Kelly Fox, Fox Bean Company, Idaho
Kenneth Gray, Unio Marketing and Consulting
Greg Jones, Crosby County Extension Agent
Creighton Miller, Texas A&M University
Teddy Morelock, University of Arkansas
George Pechaeck, Crosbyton Seed Company
Roy Riddle, South Plains Food Bank
Roland Roberts, Texas A&M University Research and Extension Center

Report Prepared by:
Roland Roberts
Extension Horticulturist
Texas A&M University Research & Extension Center
Route 3, Box 213AA
Lubbock, Texas 79401-9746
Phone: 806-746-6101
FAX: 806-746-6528

Acknowledgments

Seed was provided by Bill Dean, Kelly Fox, Teddy Morelock, and Creighton Miller. Roy Riddle, George Pechaeck, and Joe Dwyer provided field plots and conducted all cultural operations from planting to harvest. Pat Parrish and Sheryl Jones made communications and preparation of this report possible. Kenneth Gray gave valuable counsel many times. These people are gratefully acknowledged for their generous support of this project.

OBJECTIVES: To observe performance of souther pea and dry bean varieties and breeding lines.

METHODS: Two replications of 24 varieties of dry bean and 15 varieties of southern pea were planted in single rows on 40-inch centers. Plant populations ranged from 70,000 to 80,000 plants per acre. Seeds were planted on June 20. Plots were irrigated as required to maintain growth. Harvests were October 21 and November 11.

RESULTS:

Table 1. Dry Beans.
Variety
lbs. dry beans / acre
84350 (pinto)
1134
Bd-2-1 (pinto)
1125
ISB 2001 (pinto)
1125
Hatton (pinto)
1107
Black Turtle T39
1090
Arapaho (pinto)
1028
ISB Bd 2-11 (Apache)
983
Dwarf Hort Green Pod (Cranberry)
975
Fox Bean 9317 (pinto)
851
ISB 1922 (pinto)
797
Othello Texas Stock (pinto)
771
Othello Foundation (pinto)
753
Pinray (pinto)
665
Fiesta
585
ISB 2422-1 (pinto)
567
ISB 2420-3 (pinto)
567
ISB 2923-2 (pinto)
549
Early Ray (pinto)
540
Bill Z (pinto)
505
88-048-03 (pinto)
452
Cinnabar (pinto)
399
ISB 354 (pinto)
301
Adzuki
186


Table 2. Southern Peas.
Variety
lbs. dry beans / acre
California Blackeye #5
1533
Texas Pinkeye
1524
Arkansas Blackeye #1
1364
Arkansas 91-333
1364
Arkansas 574
1356
Arkansas 91-332
1045
Arkansas 92-537
1045
Arkansas 92-375
877
Arkansas 92-381
797
Arkansas 21-285
780
Arkansas 92-282
771
Arkansas 91-135
620
Arkansas 91-308
616


DISCUSSION: Dry bean and pea yields were hurt by weather damage to pod set, maturity, and seed quality. High temperature delayed bean pod set until September. Peas set well but September rains delayed harvest and caused beans to mold in pod. Perhaps 1996 will provide more favorable weather.

SOUTH PLAINS FOOD BANK FARM RESULTS: During 1995 we planted four varieties of experimental peas. The following are results of our tests:

Type Pea
91-135
91-295
91-285
87-435
Date Planted
7/13
7/13
7/13
7/13
Plants up
7/19
7/19
7/19
7/19
First Bloom
8/17
8/17
8/17
8/17
First Peas
8/27
8/25
8/27
8/27
First Harvest
9/19 - 50
9/02 - 25
9/19 - 25
9/19 - 20
9/30 - 75
9/19 - 75
9/30 - 75
9/30 - 50
10/6 - 30
9/30 - 60
10/7 - 50
10/7 - 100
10/7 - 100
10/7 - 135
10/19 - 45
10/19 - 35
10/19 - 50
10/19 - 95


lb/acre
Total: 91-135 Arkansas PEPH 305 lb./600 ft of row 6,643
91-295 Black Eye 390 lb./600 ft of row 8,494
91-285 Purple Hull 195 lb./600 ft of row 4,247
87-435 Purple Hull 205 lb./600 ft of row 4,465

The peas were planted in prepared sandy loam soil behind the spring cold weather vegetables (turnips, mustard greens, onions, radishes, and spinach). The seeds were planted at the rate of 7 seed per inch. Each variety had two 300-foot rows. Nitrogen at the rate of fifty pounds of urea per eight rows was applied at planting. Peas were watered weekly at the rate of one-inch coverage using above-ground sprinklers. Growth slowed after September cold spell and time to maturity doubled and tripled. 91-295 had a pod twelve to fourteen inches long with a full pod of peas in each pod. I did not notice any insect damage to these peas. They were my favorite to provide a large quantity on a small area to feed the hungry. The upright bush makes for easy harvest. 91-135 had a pod ten to twelve inches long with a full pod of peas. The prepared taste was the best in this variety. I had a problem with volunteers wanting to pick this pea before it was fully developed (before the pod turned pink in color). The bush type plant makes for easy harvest and less damage to plants by harvesters. No insect damage was noticed. 91-285 contained a pod eight to ten inches long. The prepared taste was good. A large number of peas did not mature on these plants after the September cold spell. The bush type plant made for easy harvest and our clients who prefer the purple hull said this was the best tasting pea we had raised. I noticed a few aphids, less than 15 per plant on a few plants. 87-435 contained a pod of eight to ten inches. It was slower to get started and I believe production would have been double if we had not had the September cold spell. These vines were still loaded with peas when we had our first frost, but they never matured. The taste of the cooked pea was good. A few aphids, less than 15 per plant, were noted. The bush type plant made for easy harvest and our clients who prefer the purple hull peas said they were the best we have had.