Timely advice on spring pulse crop soil conditions and sowing rates

"Soil conditions in many areas are now improved following the spell of dry weather, and many spring beans are now drilled," says Anthony Biddle, PGRO Technical Director. "However, on the heavier land, drying of the under-surface has been slow and may need to be lifted before drilling can take place. This may mean that drilling of beans is delayed - but try and plant spring beans before Easter (mid-April). Temperatures are now increasing and, once planted, the beans should establish quickly."

Turning to soil conditions, Dr Biddle advises: "The wet end to the autumn, and difficulties in early spring, have left the surface of some ploughed-in fields of winter beans very uneven. If absolutely necessary, they can be harrowed or lightly spring-tined to level the surface to aid further operations. Take care not to cultivate deeply, and be prepared to bury some plants - these should re-emerge in due course. However, remember that a disturbed seedbed will encourage another flush of weeds.

"Also, take care with your sowing rate - high density beans compete with each other for light and nutrients, and the end result is low yield and high disease risk. The optimum density for spring beans is 40 plants/sq m. For white and blue peas it is 75 plants/ sq m, and marrowfat varieties are best sown to give 65 plans/ sq m established."

Dr Biddle adds a note of caution on pre-emergence herbicides: "They perform poorly on dry soil - applications are best made when the soil surface is moist, or when rainfall is forecast."