Lesquerella is a plant that grows in the wild in southwestern U.S. and produces seeds containing hydroxy fatty acids similar to those in castor beans. Research has indicated that lesquerella has potential as a crop plant for Arizona. An important step in the commercialization of this plant for Arizona farms is the development of an efficient agronomic production system. Research to determine the effect of nitrogen (N) rates and timing of N applications on lesquerella production was conducted at the Maricopa Agricultural Center in the 1993 -94 and 1995 -96 seasons. Nitrogen application rates of 0 to 108 and 0 to 162 lbs. N /acre were evaluated in 1993 -94 and 1995 -96 tests, respectively. Seed yields as high as 1780 lbs. /acre were obtained in the 1995 -96 test using a conventional combine for harvest. In both tests, lesquerella biomass production and seed yields increased as the N rate was increased. In 1995 -96, a split application of N in March and April resulted in higher seed yields than a single application in March. Seed oil content decreased in both tests as the N rate was increased. In 1995 -96, seed oil content decreased 12% as the N rate was increased from 0 to 162 lbs. N /acre. The N application rate had no effect on 1000 -seed weight.

Results of the 1995 National Cooperative Dry Bean Nursery Trials are reported in this paper. Thirty seven varieties of eight different classes of beans were included in this replicated, small plot trial. Bill-Z, the leading pinto bean variety in the area, was the highest yielding variety in the study with a yield just under 3000 pounds per acre. Fleetwood Navy variety and UI 59 Great Northern variety were the next leading varieties with yields about 50 pounds less than Bill-Z. Chase, a pinto variety recently developed with strong rust tolerance, yielded only 2300 pounds per acre in this study. Yields, seed per pound, aerial biomass, harvest index and maturity class are also reported.

Fungicidal evaluations were performed on pinto beans in two sites in 1994 and one site in 1995 to determine their effect on bean rust, white mold or common bacterial blight The results were mixed between sites and years, but in 1994 the untreated control yielded less than all of the treatments except one and the Fluazinam 500F 1 lb rate was the highest yielding treatment In 1995, no disease symptoms were observed in the field.