Emergence and Yield of Beans Planted with a Seed-Oriented Planter

Recent observations from an unrelated bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) field experiment indicated a possible relationship between emergence and seed orientation. To test the benefits of a "lay flat" orientation, a furrow opener was developed that horizontally orients bean seeds at uniform soil depths. Beans planted through this furrow opener emerged through the soil crust sooner and in significantly greater numbers than did those planted with a standard two-disk furrow opener. Oriented and unoriented plantings of dry and snap beans did not differ in final total emergence. Nevertheless, early snap bean yields were greater from the seed-oriented plots. Increased yield was due to earlier emergence, and uniform depth of planting. On uncrusted soil, seed orientation did not significantly increase dry bean yield