Crop Profile for Beans (Snap) in Tennessee Prepared: April 2003 Revised: January 2013 General Production Information Production Facts: Snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are tender, warm-season, annuals that are grown for their fleshy, immature pods. The harvested fruit generally ripen 48-60 days after planting. Snap beans are grown mainly for fresh market in Tennessee; however a small amount of acreage does exist as processing. • Tennessee ranked around 2nd in snap bean production with the majority being produced for the fresh market in 2011. • Approximately 14,000 acres were planted in 2012 with approximately 13,500 acres harvested. • Producers received approximately $35.00 per cwt. in 2011. • Average yield per acre for Tennessee can be expected around 3,100 lbs per acre. However, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported that from 2009 to 2011, in Tennessee ranged from 24 to 42 cwt. per acre. • Tennessee contributes to just less than 15% of the national snap bean fresh market production during 2012. • Production cost ranges from $440 to 580 per acre depending on seed variety selection, and if seed is treatment, non-treated and/or other production methods (such as irrigation) are selected. • An estimated production value in 2012 was approximately $525 per acre. • During 2010 and 2011, snap beans were valued at $14,508,000 and $9,065,000 respectively for Tennessee’s economy. Production Facts: • The majority of snap beans produced in Tennessee during 2012 were primarily grown in the Cumberland Plateau region. This area is considered middle Tennessee. However, a small amount of acreage has been grown in previous years in West Tennessee; however no acreage was reported for 2012. Cultural Practices Worker Safety and Re-Entry Intervals: Most large scale snap bean producers hire migrant workers or individuals located near their community. Tennessee producers are required by federal and state laws to follow safety standards known as the Worker Protection Standards (WPS). The Worker Protection Standards 1 Funding for this project was provided by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No. 2011-51120-31171, "Management of the Southern IPM Center 2011" are regulations which cover pesticide usage in agricultural, forest, nursery and greenhouse production. Any Tennessee producer employing individuals to work in agricultural production must inform and/or train workers concerning the Worker Protection Standards. Worker Protection Standards are standards which are to be followed by employers to help eliminate possible pesticide contamination of pesticide applicators, handlers or workers. Information pertaining to pesticide application must be posted in a central location. Information concerning products used, location of application and re-entry interval is posted at the central location. Also, other items pertaining to safety are provided to workers, applicators and/or handlers. Tables 5, 10 and 12, include re-entry intervals of products commonly used in Tennessee snap bean production. If workers, handlers and/or applicators must enter the field earlier than indicated by the pesticide label, individuals may be required to wear certain personal protective equipment. In most cases this includes boots, gloves, hat, long sleeve shirts, and long legged trousers. The Signal Word indicated by Caution, Warning or Danger are indicators of the level of human hazard which may vary between formulations containing the same active ingredient. The Signal Word lets the applicator, handler or worker know the relative acute toxicity of a product. Early re-entry is generally not necessary in Tennessee snap bean production. Treated areas are also posted to inform workers that treatments have been made and re-entry is restricted. If employers and employees follow WPS regulations, harvest interval and re-entry intervals, agricultural workers are less likely to be at risk to pesticide exposure in Tennessee agricultural production systems. Worker Activities: Land Preparation: Soils are generally freshened prior to planting or during the seeding process. This activity involves one person driving an open or enclosed-cab tractor. Snap bean production is done on bare ground and no workers are required for bed formation. Planting Method: Seed and fertilizer are placed mechanically at planting. This process requires one operator in an open or enclosed-cab tractor. Seedling germination is generally 85-95 percent, however occasionally germination may be lowered when weather conditions and seedling diseases are favored. No thinning operations are necessary. Irrigation: Little or no irrigation occurs in snap bean production in Tennessee. This would increase the cost of production. However, past dry springs have increased interests of some individuals to further investigate potential use in the future. Cultivation: Fields are cultivated mechanically at least once and sometimes two or three times before the crop is harvested. Low clearance tractors may only allow for one cultivation per crop, however snap beans generally do not get tall enough to cause clearance issues. Cultivation only requires one operator in an open or enclosed-cab tractor. Most cultivation is done with an open cab tractor. Scouting: Progressive growers scout at least weekly. Farm managers, farm advisors and their assistants review their findings and often consult with county agents or area specialist concerning crop protection methods. Disease and insect control is most critical prior to and during bloom and pest levels should be monitored closely during this time. Information concerning weed 2 pressure is also taken into account. All Worker Protection Standards are followed during field scouting events. Harvest: The only time agricultural workers come in contact with the snap beans is during harvest. Approximately 95 percent of snap bean acreage is machine harvested. Most bush varieties are machine harvested (90% plus), while 50% of the half runner types are machine harvested and all pole types are hand harvested. Fields that are machine harvested are picked only once. The remaining snap bean acreage is hand harvested. Hand harvested fields may be harvested one to seven times depending on pod production. Generally, most hand harvest fields are picked 4 times. Workers generally dress in long sleeve shirts and pants during harvest. Workers often wear cloth or leather gloves during harvest due to possible skin abrasion. Remaining plant residues are eventually incorporated by tillage equipment into the soil. Growers planting large acreage may plant at staggered dates so that harvest can be spread over several days in the event of poor weather, loss may be lessened. Most importantly, multiple plantings are used to ensure a consistent supply of product over the entire season. During grading, initially machines are used to remove trash and shriveled, discolored pods. After machine grading, pods are inspected by two to four workers that are responsible removing remaining trash or shriveled pods. Workers normally wear cotton gloves during the grading process. After harvesting and grading, beans they are immediately shipped by truck to market or the processor. Varieties Cultivar or variety selection may be one of the more important components to successful snap bean production. Most snap beans grown commercially are of the bush type, however there are a few growers who prefer pole types. At this time pods should be full of fruit and not dried. Bush type beans are generally planted with varying planting dates. Many large scale growers may spread out planting over a 50-60 day period. This allows for continued harvest throughout the season. Also, this may reduce risks of loss caused damage by pests and or the environment. Listed below are several varieties available during 2012. Bush types • Ambra is a prolific yielder that develops straight, smooth, medium dark green 6" pods. Approximately 52 days until it reaches maturity and the upright plant structure makes for an excellent mechanical harvest variety. • Bronco is a dark green-podded, small sieve-size, fresh market cultivar which may be harvested within 53 days. • Caprice matures in 60 Days. It has straight, smooth pods that have slow seed development, a fine eating quality and an attractive medium dark green color. Its upright plants set their 5 1/2 - 6" pods mid high in the plant which lends well to both hand and mechanical harvest. Caprice yields well under virus pressure, has resistance to bacterial brown spot and has good heat tolerance. • Carlo is a round-podded, small-sieve cultivar. This cultivar has white seeds with medium- green pods and is best suited for fresh market and is ready for harvest within 55 days. 3 • Charon is a bush green bean with dark-green, straight, has 6- to 7-inch string-less pods. Resistant to bacterial brown spot, common bean mosaic, curly top virus, halo blight and northern leaf blight (race 8) and matures in 55 days. • Crockett matures in 60 days, are a very dark green filet type is a high yielding green bush bean that produces a high percentage of refined 2 sieve pods that are perfect for use as a filet type bean. Its round, slim pods hold well at maturity and measure 6" in length. It has a continuous set, which allows for hand harvest over an extended period of time. Tolerance to BCMV (BV-1 and NY 15), Bean Rust, Halo Blight (race 2) and Curly Top Virus. • Dusky matures in 52 days which has a 6-inch, round, smooth, dark-green pods with white seeds. Resistant to bacterial brown spot, bean mosaic virus (race 15), common bean mosaic, halo blight and northern leaf blight (race 8). • Festina matures in 56 days, has a dark green pods. Commonly used for canning or fresh eating, this upright plant, tender-sweet pods, perfect for hot, sultry climates. Resistant to CBM Virus, sets nice straight pods about 6 inches long. • Hickok matures in 54 Days. Hickok green bean produces medium-dark green, 3-4 sieve pods on upright plants and has resistance to BCMV (US 1), Rust and Beet Curly Top Virus.