Mineral deficiencies in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) negatively affect plant growth and development. Genetic differences in seed mineral concentrations have been detected among landraces and genotypes for trace elements such as Zn and Fe, and major elements such as P and Ca, and these differences have been exploited for the genetic improvement of the crop. The objectives of this study were (i) to develop and evaluate a navy bean recombinant inbred population segregating for seed Zn, (ii) to measure other micronutrients in the seeds such as Fe and the major elements P and Ca, and (iii) to identify associations between microsatellite markers and seed mineral content. Transgressive segregants were observed for seed Zn and variation was also found for Fe, P, and Ca. Bean microsatellites associated with Zn, P, and Ca were identified, but there was no association with Fe. Our molecular data identified a locus associated with seed Zn accumulation in bean located on linkage group 9. Further studies would help to find the exact location of the gene. As more information becomes available, breeders will be able to combine techniques of molecular genetics with conventional breeding methods through marker‐assisted selection to develop cultivars with higher seed Zn content.

‘Lariat’ (Reg. No. CV‐293, PI 654383) and ‘Stampede’ (Reg. No. CV‐292, PI 654382) are two new high‐yielding pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars adapted to the northern Great Plains. These cultivars were developed by North Dakota State University and released by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station in 2007. Both cultivars have commercially acceptable visual seed traits (size, shape, and appearance). Both Lariat and Stampede growth habit is Type IIb (upright, short vine), and both possess high lodging resistance. Both lines exhibit good and synchronous plant dry‐down before harvest (both plant and pods mature concurrently). Multilocation testing across more than 30 environments has shown their superior performance compared with commercial cultivars commonly grown in the region. Lariat and Stampede are both significantly superior in seed yield to ‘Maverick’ pinto bean (the main pinto cultivar grown in the region), and similar to ‘Buster’ pinto bean, one of the highest seed yielding cultivars commercially available. The improved plant structure, combined with its synchronous dry‐down, suggests that these lines could be suitable for direct harvest, given appropriate equipment, field conditions, and operator care. Both lines are resistant to bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and bean rust [caused by Uromyces appendiculatus (Pers.) Unger]. These cultivars represent new and better alternatives for pinto bean growers of the northern Great Plains.

North Dakota is the leading producer of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the United States. In order to remain competitive, growers need to find ways to optimize yields and minimize input costs. Direct harvest may decrease equipment investment, harvest time, and operational costs when compared with conventional methods. However, direct harvest is often associated with reduced seed yield and quality. Experiments were conducted at four environments in North Dakota to evaluate the harvest efficiency of nine dry bean cultivars representing three market classes. Seed yield, seed loss, and other agronomic/morphological traits were measured using a split plot design. Harvest method and cultivar were consistently the most important factors contributing to seed yield and seed loss. Seed yield was significantly greater (830 kg ha−1) with the conventional method and seed loss was significantly greater (23.2%) under direct harvest. For conventional harvest, there was no difference in seed yield among cultivars within a market class. However, under direct harvest, one pinto (Lariat) and two black bean (T‐39 and Eclipse) cultivars showed the highest yield. There were no differences among the navy cultivars for seed yield. Lariat was the most efficient cultivar across and within both harvest methods, with the best combination of highest yield (2232 kg ha−1) and lowest seed loss (11.1%). None of the morphological traits measured had a strong association with seed yield or seed loss. Results indicate that for optimal yields, growers need to select a cultivar with the best harvest efficiency possible, in addition to other factors.

Increasing soil-N in a dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) crop may increase seed yield. However, excessive N can inhibit nodule formation, delay maturity, and promote vegetative growth. In the same way, the eff ect of row spacing on yield and other traits appears to be diff erent for variable levels of available N. With releases of new upright pinto bean cultivars, it is unknown how factors such as row spacing and soil-N level may aff ect seed yield and seed losses under direct harvest operations. Experiments were conducted in North Dakota to evaluate the eff ect of row spacing and soil-N level on agronomic traits of pinto bean cultivars under direct harvest. Th e experimental design was a randomized complete block design in a split-plot arrangement, where whole plots were three row spacings (30, 46, and 76 cm), and subplots were a factorial with three pinto cultivars (Lariat, Stampede, and Maverick) and two soil-N levels (56 and 112 kg N ha -1 ). Cultivar and row spacing were the most important factors determining seed yield and seed loss. Lariat produced the greatest seed yield (2045 kg ha -1 ) and had the lowest harvest loss (11.6%). Th e intermediate row spacing (46 cm) had the highest seed yield with no signifi cant changes in the amount of seed loss when compared with the wide rows (76 cm). Th e N level did not infl uence seed yield or yield potential. Th erefore, to maximize productivity with upright pinto cultivars, growers should plant at intermediate row spacing and reduce the amount of N applied.

The Cd concentration in the seed of crops depends on various soil factors including parent material, texture, pH, soil redox, and salinity. Cadmium accumulation also varies among crop species and cultivars within a species. Cadmium and Zn may have either an antagonistic or a synergistic effect on plant uptake that can be influenced by the soil Cd and Zn concentrations. The objective was to determine the effect of Zn fertilizer additions on the seed Cd of nine crops commonly grown in North Dakota, USA. Studies were conducted at five North Dakota locations representing different soil series during 1994 and 1995. In Experiment 1, nine crops common in North Dakota were grown with and without the addition of 25 kg ha -1 Zn fertilizer. Among crops evaluated, the greatest seed Cd accumulation occurred in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) followed by sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.), and durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum). In Experiment 2, two durum wheats and one flax cultivar were grown under three Zn treatments of 0, 5, and 25 kg ha -1 . In Experiment again flax had the higher seed Cd level compared with the two durum varieties. Based on the results from both studies, addition of Zn fertilizer did not consistently reduce seed Cd content, and even when statistically significant, the level of reduction was small and not likely to impact marketability of Cd accumulating crops such as flax, sunflower, soybean, and durum.