Fertilizer Management for Dry Edible Beans

Excellent yields of high quality dry beans can be obtained in western Nebraska. Traditional growing areas include the Panhandle and southwest Nebraska, western Wyoming and eastern Colorado. High bean yields are produced on disease-free fertile soils. Dry beans respond to fertilizer if soil tests show nutrient levels in the low to medium fertility range.

Soil samples representative of the field should be taken preplant from the tillage layer for pH, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, iron, and salinity and to a depth of 30 inches for nitrate-nitrogen. Information from these tests allows the producer to make informed decisions on fertilizer needs and to determine the potential for any soil pH or salinity problems.