Beans fill void of abandoned rape

Arable growers who have abandoned plans for oilseed rape could switch to winter beans as an economically and agronomically attractive alternative, according to Jim Scrimshaw of PGRO. Seedbed preparation will be key where soils have been damaged this season, he advises, and will help achieve the best results with Defy herbicide applications.

Earlier drilling of winter beans this season will, however, require better performance from residual herbicides to avoid weed competition. Cleavers pose a major threat by affecting crops throughout the growing season, with Defy developed as a SOLA off-label approval specifically to counter the cleaver threat and give persistent broad-spectrum weed control.

With many farmers"e; plans to grow oilseed rape being abandoned following the late and difficult harvest, more growers could switch to winter beans as a break crop, according to Mr Scrimshaw. He believes the crop offers a profitable alternative, which is ever more attractive with premiums for human consumption beans and the potential to put back valuable soil fertility.

But establishment will prove essential to the crop"e;s success and, with the significant risk of soil damage during harvest, growers need to reassess seedbed preparations, he advises. "Far more of the crop is now being drilled, compared to broadcast and disced in," reports Mr Scrimshaw. "A level seedbed will give more reliable plant stands and better establishment. It makes the crops easier to manage and gives the potential for far more effective herbicide activity."

This season PGRO advocates growers"e; select herbicide mixtures according to their fields"e; weed risks, including options for Defy + pendimethalin for predominantly broad leaved weed control, or Defy + propyzamide or carbetamide where grass weeds are also likely to be a significant threat.

Mr Scrimshaw advises growers to sow beans from mid-October, if ploughing down and the end of October to mid November if drilling, with soil conditions being the key factor over timing. In the past, many growers delayed drilling to avoid getting plants too proud over the winter risking damage from frost and winds, but recent winter conditions have been increasingly mild.

Lat year East Anglian independent AICC crop consultant, David Nicholls, reported excellent results with a single application of Defy + trifluralin, which he will look to repeat this season where available, but probably move to Defy + pendimethalin with the future loss of trifluralin. "The mix provided very effective broad-leaved weed control, along with good results on grass weeds," he said.

Mr Nicholls anticipates the bean acreage will increase this year, with all his growers"e; crops established by drilling. "The low-cost route of ploughing-in beans can not achieve the yields and consistency required," he adds. "The prospects for the winter bean crop look positive, where we can secure a good market."