Beans - Fertility

Nitrogen

Apply 30-40 kg N/ha (27-36 lb N/ac) prior to planting. This may be applied as a preplant broadcast application or banded through the planter, 5 cm below and 5 cm to the side of the seed. Side-dressing of nitrogen is only recommended if foliage shows nitrogen deficiency. Over-application of nitrogen will cause excess leaf growth, resulting in uneven maturity.

Phosphorus

Test the soil to determine phosphorus requirements. Where the soil test values are 16 mg P per L soil (ppm) or higher, lima and snap bean fields are unlikely to respond to additional phosphate applications. For soils testing lower than 16 mg P per L (ppm), see Table 1-10, Phosphorus Requirements: Vegetables on Mineral Soils, on page 12.

Potassium

Test the soil to determine potassium requirements. Where the soil test values are 121 mg K per L soil (ppm) or higher, snap and lima bean fields are unlikely to respond to additional potash applications. For soils testing lower than 121 mg K per L (ppm), see Table 1-12, Potassium Requirements: Vegetables on Mineral Soils, on page 14.

Because high rates of banded potassium can damage emerging seedlings, banded potassium should not exceed 60 kg potash/ha.

Micronutrients

Crops vary greatly in their response to micronutrient fertilizers. For complete information, see the section Micronutrients, on page 16.

Boron

Beans are very sensitive to boron toxicity and should not be grown the year after boron has been applied to previous crops in the field, such as cole crops, celery or rutabaga.

Manganese

Manganese deficiency may be a problem on beans, especially on soils with pH values above 6.5. Correct the deficiency as soon as detected with a foliar manganese spray. Soil application is not recommended for manganese because of the large amounts required. See the section Manganese, on page 18, and Table 1-13, Application Rates for Magnesium, Calcium and Micronutrients, on page 16.

Plant Analysis

When used in conjunction with a soil analysis, plant analysis can be useful for diagnosing crop problems or for evaluating a fertilizer program. The objective of a good fertilizer program is to maintain tissue nutrient concentrations on the lower side of the range. Attempting to bring the nutrient analysis up to the higher end of the range could result in over-fertilization and may not be economical.

See Table 9-5, Snap Bean Nutrient Sufficiency Ranges. Only use sufficiency ranges as a reference and a guideline. Plant analysis does not replace soil testing or a sound soil fertility program.For more inforatmion, see the section Plant Analysis, on page 3.

Table 9-5. Snap Bean Nutrient Sufficiency Ranges

Adapted from Maynard, D.N., and G.J. Hochmuth. 1997. Knott's Handbook for Vegetable Growers, 4th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York.

Plant Part: Most recently mature trifoliate leaf

¹ Micronutrient sufficiency rangs may be used for all sampling stages.

ppm = parts per million

Related Links

• Publication 363 - Vegetable Production Recommendations

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