Harvest of Dry Beans in the Pre-Dry Stage of Development: Effect on Yield and Processed Product Quality1

Abstract

The effect of time of harvest prior to complete field drying of 2 cultivars of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was analyzed relative to the quality of the processed product produced. Early harvest did not significantly affect yield (at 10% raw product moisture); however, it did have a significant effect on the quality of the processed product. Typically the processed dark red kidney and pinto beans were more intensely pigmented with later harvest dates, were firmer, and had fewer split seeds. The respiratory rate of the raw product was highly correlated (r = 0.993) with the raw product moisture level. Only small differences were found in the degree of pigmentation of the processed product when comparing the spring with the fall crop of pinto beans. The fall crop of pinto beans had a substantially lower incidence of split beans in the canned product.