Dry Beans

UNL, NDA Receive Grants for Specialty Crop Research November 5, 2018

Specialty crop research in Nebraska is getting a boost from almost $700,000 awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study hops, dry beans, and wine grapes; to monitor invasive pests; and to encourage healthy snacking in schools.

Cowpea wilt — Figure 1. A two-year study of diseases in Nebraska cowpea, also known as black-eyed pea, found a wilt, similar to bacterial wilt in dry bean, to be most common. (Photos by Bob Harveson)

Cowpea Bacterial Wilt ― An Old Disease in a New Crop October 9, 2018

As growers in western Nebraska look at new pulse crops to integrate into their rotations, a UNL plant pathologist works to identify possible disease threats. Cowpea (black-eyed pea) is being studied now.

Figure 1. Researchers tour multiple dry bean variety plots at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center to identify favorable traits for varieties grown in Nebraska and elsewhere. (Photo by David Ostdiek) — Figure 1. Inspecting a variety plot of dry beans north of Scottsbluff are (from left) Phil Miklas, USDA plant breeder; Carlos Urrea, UNL dry bean breeding specialist; Tim Porch, USDA plant breeder; and Karen Cichy, USDA plant breeder. (Photo by David Ostdiek)

Worldwide Collaboration to Breed Better Dry Beans September 27, 2018

Researchers from USDA, UNL, and other land-grant universities are working together to help identify traits to improve dry bean quality in Nebraska and worldwide.

Dry bean harvest in Scotts Bluff County Sept. 12, 2018 (Photo by Gary Stone) — Dry bean harvest underway in Scotts Bluff County Sept. 12, 2018. (Photo by Gary Stone)

Dry Edible Bean Harvest Underway in the Panhandle September 13, 2018

With limited precipitation and warm temperatures this week, dry beans turned quickly and harvest has started. Conditions should provide for good data collection from on-farm research of using direct harvesting methods.

Weed control research in dry bean plots — A review of multiple studies conducted on weed management in dry beans in the US and Canada indicated that without weed control, yield losses could be as much as $720 million per year. (Photo by Nevin Lawrence)

What Would Happen if We Stopped Controlling Weeds? July 19, 2018

A recent study of 10 years of research in key dry bean production areas of the US and Canada showed the value of weed management. Without weed control losses were estimated at $720 million.

Figure 1. Carlos Urrea, dry edible bean breeding specialist (left), and research technician Eduardo Valentin Cruzado tend to the 800 varieties of dry beans taking over the bean greenhouse at the university’s Panhandle Research and Extension Center.

Dry Edible Bean Breeding Greenhouse — It’s A Jungle In There April 6, 2018

About 800 dry bean varieties, planted in December in individual pots, are growing like crazy – far above the typical height in Panhandle bean fields. Part of a university study of how various foods affect the human gut microbiome, these beans represent the first large-scale genetic analysis of these traits in dry beans.

Feb. 9 Deadline for NDA Specialty Crop Grants February 2, 2018

Proposals for the 2018 Specialty Crop Block Grant program, administered by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, should be submitted by Feb. 9. Last year 13 Nebraska projects received a total of $600,000 in funding for research, development, and marketing.

Figure 1. Harvesting dry edible beans in the Nebraska Panhandle.

2018 Dry Edible Bean Day Feb. 13 at Gering January 29, 2018

Plan to attend the 2018 Nebraska Dry Edible Bean Day to hear a keynote by the new Nebraska Director of Agriculture. Researchers and dry bean reps will also present research updates, recommendations for producers, and reports from the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission.