Production of beans, spring- and winter-sown, increased rapidly in Ireland following the introduction of the Protein Crop Scheme in 2015.
In the three previous years, the average area was approximately 3,400ha but this increased to over 12,000ha in 2017.
Spring beans have proven to be quite attractive to tillage farmers as they are a useful break crop, are a legume and hence fix nitrogen and also help improve soil structure. But lateness of harvest in some years remains a genuine concern for some growers and so maturity remains a valid consideration but there are no variety ratings.
There is no change to the varieties recommended for 2018 but evaluation of new candidate varieties continues at both Department and seed agent level. More varieties are now being evaluated so it is increasingly likely that improved varieties will be identified in the years ahead. Eleven varieties were trialled in 2017 compared with eight in 2016 and only four in 2015.
Recommended varieties
Three varieties are again recommended for 2018 planting – Boxer, Fanfare and Fuego. These have been evaluated over the three years from 2015 to 2017 at a number of sites.
The varieties are assessed for their suitability under Irish conditions in terms of seed yield, protein content, disease resistance and other agronomic traits.
The data for the trials are based on results from fungicide-treated trials, with the exception of disease resistance data which is based on untreated trials.
Figures shown in brackets are based on limited data and should be treated with caution. A dried sample is tested for crude protein content and these results are expressed as a percentage of the dry matter.
Characteristics
Boxer: Good yield combined with good protein content. More prone to diseases than the others.
It is regarded as being moderately susceptible to chocolate spot, susceptible to rust and moderately resistant to downy mildew. It was bred by Lantmannen Lantbruk in Sweden and is handled here by Goldcrop Ltd.
Fanfare: It has the highest yield combined with good protein content. It is tall with good disease resistance, rated moderately resistant to chocolate spot, resistant to rust and very resistant to downy mildew. It was bred by NPZ in Germany and is handled here by SeedTech Ltd.
Fuego: This long-serving variety has only moderate yield at this point but with good protein content. It is reasonable on disease and regarded as being moderately resistant to chocolate spot, resistant to downy mildew and susceptible to rust. It is also bred by NPZ in Germany and is handled here by Seed Technology Ltd.
Other varieties
While there are only three varieties recommended, eight others were also tested in recent years and these are shown in Table 2.
Of these, LG Cartouche, Laura and Lynx are in their second year in official trials and so up for possible recommendation next year.
Lynx is said to be showing the greatest promise so far in terms of yield (also the highest yielding variety on PGRO list in the UK). LG Cartouche appears to be showing particularly high grain protein levels.
Therefore, they appear to be worth watching and offer the potential for change on the 2019 recommended list, providing they are submitted for trial in 2018.
Key points
Three varieties of beans are recommended for 2018 planting.The average yield of the control varieties was 8.0t/ha over the past three years.New potentially improved varieties are being identified in the trialling system.
Production of beans, spring- and winter-sown, increased rapidly in Ireland following the introduction of the Protein Crop Scheme in 2015.
In the three previous years, the average area was approximately 3,400ha but this increased to over 12,000ha in 2017.
Spring beans have proven to be quite attractive to tillage farmers as they are a useful break crop, are a legume and hence fix nitrogen and also help improve soil structure. But lateness of harvest in some years remains a genuine concern for some growers and so maturity remains a valid consideration but there are no variety ratings.
There is no change to the varieties recommended for 2018 but evaluation of new candidate varieties continues at both Department and seed agent level. More varieties are now being evaluated so it is increasingly likely that improved varieties will be identified in the years ahead. Eleven varieties were trialled in 2017 compared with eight in 2016 and only four in 2015.
Recommended varieties
Three varieties are again recommended for 2018 planting – Boxer, Fanfare and Fuego. These have been evaluated over the three years from 2015 to 2017 at a number of sites.
The varieties are assessed for their suitability under Irish conditions in terms of seed yield, protein content, disease resistance and other agronomic traits.
The data for the trials are based on results from fungicide-treated trials, with the exception of disease resistance data which is based on untreated trials.
Figures shown in brackets are based on limited data and should be treated with caution. A dried sample is tested for crude protein content and these results are expressed as a percentage of the dry matter.
Characteristics
Boxer: Good yield combined with good protein content. More prone to diseases than the others.
It is regarded as being moderately susceptible to chocolate spot, susceptible to rust and moderately resistant to downy mildew. It was bred by Lantmannen Lantbruk in Sweden and is handled here by Goldcrop Ltd.
Fanfare: It has the highest yield combined with good protein content. It is tall with good disease resistance, rated moderately resistant to chocolate spot, resistant to rust and very resistant to downy mildew. It was bred by NPZ in Germany and is handled here by SeedTech Ltd.
Fuego: This long-serving variety has only moderate yield at this point but with good protein content. It is reasonable on disease and regarded as being moderately resistant to chocolate spot, resistant to downy mildew and susceptible to rust. It is also bred by NPZ in Germany and is handled here by Seed Technology Ltd.
Other varieties
While there are only three varieties recommended, eight others were also tested in recent years and these are shown in Table 2.
Of these, LG Cartouche, Laura and Lynx are in their second year in official trials and so up for possible recommendation next year.
Lynx is said to be showing the greatest promise so far in terms of yield (also the highest yielding variety on PGRO list in the UK). LG Cartouche appears to be showing particularly high grain protein levels.
Therefore, they appear to be worth watching and offer the potential for change on the 2019 recommended list, providing they are submitted for trial in 2018.
Key points
Three varieties of beans are recommended for 2018 planting.The average yield of the control varieties was 8.0t/ha over the past three years.New potentially improved varieties are being identified in the trialling system. 
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