Understanding the crop growth and yield response to variable irrigation and the relationship between crop eco-physiological and morphological parameters is critical for identifying a balanced irrigation management strategy and developing decision support systems for early detection and information for on-ground decisions. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of variable irrigation treatments on dry bean [Phaseolus vulgaris L.] growth traits (plant height, leaf area index, normalized difference vegetation index), seed yield (SY), and yield components (pods plant⁻¹, seeds pod⁻¹, 100-seed weight (SW), and pod harvest index (PHI)) and to develop empirical models between dry bean growth and environmental conditions, SY, and yield components. Five irrigation treatments i.e., FIT (full irrigation treatment), 125% FIT, 75% FIT, 50% FIT, and 25% FIT were investigated. Water deficit at the beginning of the crop growth [vegetative growth (V1-V2) stage], dramatically reduced dry bean growth and development and resulted in a significant reduction in SY. However, the degree to which vegetative growth and SY was reduced depends on the weather conditions. Reducing irrigation by 25% below FIT resulted in an average reduction of 30% in SY. This reduction in SY was significantly correlated with a decline in pods plant⁻¹ and SW. Moreover, the empirical models between growth traits and growing degree days (GDD) have a strong correlation, while growth traits and SY and yield components are moderately correlated. The data and empirical models presented in this research provide valuable information in predicting and estimating dry bean SY in-season and allow for corrective management decisions.

Crop evapotranspiration (ET_c) estimates, on a regional scale, hold enormous potential in managing surface and groundwater resources. This is particularly important for the headwater state of Wyoming, which provides water to found major river basins of the US. In this study, METRIC (Mapping evapotranspiration at high resolution with internalized calibration), a satellite-based image processing model, was used to map and quantify daily, monthly, and seasonal ET_c and other energy balance fluxes, i.e., net radiation (R_n), sensible heat (H), and soil heat flux (G) dynamics for different land-use classes. Monthly and seasonal ETc estimated were further used to approximate regional water consumption patterns for different land-use types for nine irrigation districts in semi-arid to arid intermountain region of Big Horn Basin (BHB), Wyoming. The validation of METRIC retrievals against Bowen ratio energy balance system (BREBS) fluxes measured over three vegetative surfaces, viz. sugar beet in 2017, dry bean in 2018, and barley in 2019, indicated high accuracy. The pooled correlation observed between estimated (pooled) and measured instantaneous fluxes had R² values of 0.91 (RMSE = 0.08 mm h⁻¹, NSE = 0.91), 0.81 (RMSE = 49.6 Wm⁻², NSE = 0.67), 0.53 (RMSE = 27.1 Wm⁻², NSE = 0.53), and 0.86 (RMSE = 59.2 Wm⁻², NSE = 0.84) for ET_c, R_n, G, and H, respectively. The biggest discrepancy between measured and estimated monthly ETc values was observed during times when BREBS flux tower footprint was devoid of any crops or the crops at footprint were not actively transpiring. Validation results improved when comparisons were made on monthly scales with METRIC underestimating growing season ET_c in the range between 3.2% to 6.0%. Seasonal ETc by land-use type showed significant variation over the study area where crop ETc was 52% higher than natural vegetation ETc. Furthermore, it was found that, in the arid to semi-arid intermountain region of Wyoming, the contribution of irrigation to total seasonal ETc varied in the range of 73–81% in nine irrigation districts that fall within the study area. The high relative contribution of irrigation highlights the importance of identifying and quantifying ETc for improved management in irrigation system design and water allocation.

Nuña beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are a class of common beans found in South America. They are grown in the mountainous areas of Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. Nuña beans are unique because of their ability to “pop” after being exposed to heat. This produces a toasted edible snack that is soft-textured. Nuña bean preparation has reduced requirements for cook time and for fuel making them more energy-efficient compared to other types of dry beans. Scientists have been working to remove the photoperiod-sensitive gene that is found in traditional nuña beans, while at the same time retaining the popping trait for cultivation in the U.S. to be possible. Evaluation of popping bean field performance data, greenhouse performance data, and popping protocols and characteristics of beans cultivated in the U.S. will (1) increase awareness of popping beans as a nutritious source of both protein and dietary fiber as well as an alternative dry bean market class and (2) contribute to knowledge about factors that impact consumption of dry edible beans.