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Title: Dry bean water use/yield production function to estimate dryland yields in the U.S. Central High Plains

Author
item Nielsen, David
item Vigil, Merle

Submitted to: Field Crops Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/16/2018
Publication Date: 11/1/2018
Citation: Nielsen, D.C., Vigil, M.F. 2018. Dry bean water use/yield production function to estimate yields in the Central Great Plains. Field Crops Research. 228:60-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2018.08.016.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2018.08.016

Interpretive Summary: While dry bean is traditionally grown as an irrigated crop in the Central Great Plains, it may have potential as a dryland crop as well. An assessment of this potential could be accomplished by estimating yields from precipitation records if a water use-yield production function were available. This study defined that water use-yield relationship for dry bean. Seed yield increased 8.67 kg/ha for each mm of water use (197 lb/a per inch of water use) after the first 121 mm (4.76 inches) of water use. This relationship, when applied to the long-term precipitation record at Akron, CO, estimated an average dry bean yield of 1107 kg/ha with a range of 231 to 2497 kg/ha (988 lb/a with a range of 206 to 2229 lb/a). Regional estimates of bean yield were also determined with this production function. Additionally, a cumulative yield probability exceedance graph was produced as a decision support aid to assess production risk.

Technical Abstract: Dry edible bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) could be used to diversify dryland rotational cropping systems in the Central Great Plains. Dryland production potential of dry bean is unknown in this region. The objectives of this study were to determine dry bean yield and water use under a range of water availability conditions in order to produce a water use-yield production function and to use that production function in conjunction with long-term precipitation records to estimate average yields and probabilities of attaining given yields. Three dry bean varieties were grown over a six-yr period at Akron, CO under a line-source gradient irrigation system to impose a range of water availability conditions. Seed yield was linearly correlated with water use resulting in a production function defined as seed yield (kg ha-1) = 8.67 X (water use [mm] ¬- 121). The slope was similar to another seed legume, field pea. This production function was used with the long-term precipitation record to determine an average dry bean yield of 1107 kg ha-1 (range 231 to 2497 kg ha-1). These yield estimates were used to create a cumulative probability exceedance graph of yield that can be used to assess production risk as farmers consider the possibility of including dry bean as a component of a dryland crop rotation.