Yield Stability of Heirloom Dry Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars in Midwest Organic Production

Abstract

<jats:p>Heirloom dry bean (<jats:italic>Phaseolus vulgaris</jats:italic> L.) cultivars are distinct in their seed characteristics, although little information regarding their performance at the field scale in the Midwest is currently available. Demand for organic heirloom dry beans from direct-to-consumer markets in Minnesota motivated our examination of the crop’s suitability for local production. Heirloom cultivars were evaluated on the basis of yield and yield stability at four small-scale organic vegetable productions in southeast Minnesota. Yield data from 2013 and 2014 were subject to static and dynamic stability biplot analyses. The mean yield of heirloom cultivars was ≈44% lower than commercial market class checks included in the trial; heirloom yields ranged from 825 to 2127 kg·ha<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>, with a mean of 1362 kg·ha<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>. Stability analyses and economic incentives suggest that the production of heirloom cultivars, especially ‘Jacob’s Cattle Gold’, ‘Lina Sisco’s Bird Egg’, ‘Peregion’, and ‘Tiger’s Eye’, could provide growers with the opportunity to diversify their production, differentiate themselves in local markets, and maintain economic return.</jats:p>

Genotype × environment interaction and stability analysis for some economic characters in snap bean

“…+ (G × Env) was highly significant, indicating that genotypes considerable interacted with the eight environmental conditions. These results agree with those found by Pereira et al (2014) and Swegarden et al (2016).…”

Pursuing the Potential of Heirloom Cultivars to Improve Adaptation, Nutritional, and Culinary Features of Food Crops

“…For example, dry bean consumers may like to buy heirlooms with unique color patterns, which may be also sold at premium prices [26]. Swegarden et al [27] further indicated that both yield stability analysis and economic incentives suggest that heirloom dry bean cultivars-despite having a 44% lower average grain yield than commercial checks-may allow for diversifying production, differentiation in the market, and more attractive economic returns for their small-scale organic growers.…”

“…There is wide variation in productivity among heirloom cultivars when grown in organic farming systems. A few heirloom cultivars can compete with modern cultivars in organic systems, but almost no heirlooms can compete with modern cultivars under intensive production systems [26,27,[86][87][88]. However, heirloom cultivars possess great diversity in fruit and seed size, shape, and appearance.…”

Pursuing the potential of heirloom cultivars to improve adaptation, nutritional and culinary features in a changing climate

“…This wide diversity -which is the main feature capturing the attention from consumers seeking unique, [24]. Swergarden et al [25] further indicated that both yield stability analysis and economic incentives suggest that heirloom dry bean cultivars -although having 44% lower average grain yield than commercial checks-may allow diversifying production, differentiating in the market, and keeping economic returns for their small-scale organic growers.…”

“…There is wide variation in productivity among heirloom cultivars when grown in organic farming systems. One a few heirlooms can compete with modern cultivars in organic systems, while almost no heirlooms can compete with modern cultivars under intensive production systems [24][25][82][83][84].…”