ISHS Acta Horticulturae 318: II International Symposium on Specialty and Exotic Vegetable Crops
BLACK BEANS: A POTENTIAL NEW CROP FOR FLORIDA |
| Authors: | Peter J. Stoffella, M. O. Fleming, Brian T. Scully |
| Abstract:
Black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are a staple food product for much of the Western Hemisphere. To satisfy the demands of the expanding Hispanic population in Florida, black beans are imported from northern states or Latin American countries to supply the processing and dry bean markets. Transportation and handling costs associated with the importation of this commodity influence the price structure of black beans. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the suitability and horticultural potential for black bean production in Florida. Performance trials conducted during the spring and autumn seasons of 1991 included 15 black bean breeding lines (CIAT germplasm), 4 U.S. commercial cultivars and 5 Latin American cultivars. Genotypes were evaluated for plant establishment, lodging tolerance, seed yield, seed size, biomass, and harvest index. Seed yields ranged from 365 to 1,451 kg/ha and 1,275 to 1,854 kg/ha in the spring and autumn experiments, respectively. DOR-446 and EMP-84 gave consistently high yields in both experiments. DOR-390, DOR-445, DOR-446, and Midnight exhibited lodging tolerance in both experiments. Seed size (g/100 seeds) ranged from 13.3 to 21.2 in the spring experiment and 15.8 to 20.5 in the autumn experiment. These data suggest that black beans can be successfully grown in the Florida environment. Improvements in seed yield, lodging resistance, and seed quality through breeding efforts and refinements in current cropping systems will increase the commercial potential of the crop in Florida. | |
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