BEAN PRODUCTION

D. P. Singh, Bean Breeder, FAO/UNDP/GRZ Project on Integrated Crop

Management/ Food Legumes, Misamfu Regional research Centre, Post Box No.

410055, Kasama, ZAMBIA

Introduction

Bean is one of the most important legume crops of Zambia and grown mainly

by small scale farmers. Northern Province is the main producer of beans in

Zambia. Bean is a major protein in the food and also an important cash crop

since the market is readily available.

Amongst constraints for bean production, the lack of seed of improved varieties

is major problem besides bean stem maggot, bean foliage beetle and diseases.

The local varieties are in mixer form and not fetching proper prices in market

and take long time in cooking. These are low in yield (> 600 kg/ha).

Environmental requirements

Beans are adapted to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. It is mainly

grown in region III and II.

Cropping pattern

Beans are cultivated under several systems - as last crop on chitemene fields, as

first crop of fundikila, on permanent fields (ibala) and also intercropped with

maize.

Recommended recent varieties

The best variety available at present is A 197 (Chambeshi). It is a pre released

variety and proposed for release after its testing at on farms. It is dwarf type,

determinate, large seeded, cream seed coloured variety which can yield ranging

from 800-1,000 kg/ha. It is tolerant to major diseases and soil disorders.

The other varieties which have been identified recently and in the process of pre

release are, CAL 143 (Red-white speckled), PAT 10 (Red), PEF 14(Cream)

and ZAV 83013 (Climbing type and can be grown with maize). The average

yield of new varieties is >1,000 kg/ha.

Besides these an old released variety ‘Carioca. is also quite high yielding but

lacks preferred seed and cooking qualities.

Rotation

Bean can be intercropped with maize. Both semi-climbing and climbing bean

varieties are good for intercrop. The dwarf bean may be taken as sole crop in

rotation with maize and millets.

Land preparation

Land preparation is same as maize. Ridging may be helpful in high rainfall

areas. The field should be weed free at the time of sowing.

Seed requirements

The seed rate varies from 60-80 kg/ha depending on the seed size. The large

seeded varieties need more seed (Chambesi, CAL 143, PEF 14 ) as compared to

small seeded types (PAT 10, Carioca) .

Planting methods

Bean can be planted more than one time in a year. The rainy season crop

planting period is from November to March. Dry season planting may be taken

in July under damboos and furrow irrigations. It proved quite helpful in seed

increase before sowing of rainy season and fetches higher prices in market as

‘fresh beans’ during off season.

Seed should be sown in the shallow furrows opened with the help of pegs (3-4

cm). The row to row spacing may be kept 60 cm.

The optimum spacing between plants is 10 cm. More seeds may be planted

initially since some do not germinate followed by thinning which may be done

after 20-25 days of planting. Gap filling may be done by seeds or transplanting

the plants by careful removal during rains or putting water soon after

transplanting.

Fertilizer recommendations

Bean needs 200 kg D compound at sowing and top dressing of 100 kg urea/ha

after 30-35 days of planting.

Weeding

The planting should be done in weed free plot and one hand weeding may be

performed before top dressing. Second weeding may be taken as per the need.

Diseases/pests and their control

Control of bean stem maggot and foliage beetle is must by use of insecticides

and other cultural methods. Use of seed treatment with Endosulfan @ 50g/10

Kg seed or soil application of Phorate granules @ 10 Kg/ha is therefore

recommended. Early and late plantings get more infestation of bean stem

maggot. Also drought at seedling stage favours the damage due to insects. Use

of tolerant varieties is recommended for the management of foliar and pod

diseases. The varieties with erect growth habit suffer little due to pod and seed

rots.

Harvesting and expected yields

The crop is ready for harvest if the leaves are fallen and pods turn yellow.

Timely harvest ensures the good seed quality and proper seed germination.

Plants should be cut at ground level. Two persons can cut and pile one lima in a

day. Proper drying is must to prevent pod and seed rot. Care should be taken to

store and dry the early crop of bean under the shade.

When dry, fill the plants in sacks and beat with the sticks. Winnow it to get

clean beans. The rotten and infected seeds should be shorted out.

The yields ranging from 800-1,000 kg /ha or 200-250 kg/lima can be achieved

easily, if the crop is planted in time, fertilized and protected from insects, weeds

as well as diseases.

Storage and marketing

The bean can be stored safely up to the next crop season if care is taken to

prevent the damage by bruchids. Fumigation of seed in store may done with

Quickphos tablets. The store should be properly sealed so that gas can remain

effective for at least 24 h. It kills the insects and eggs completely and does not

leave residual effect on beans. The fumigation however should be done under

supervision of well experienced personnel and extra care should be taken to

avoid inhalation of gas by human and animals. The other method is the use of

Blue cross powder as done in maize. Keep enough beans for eating as well as

seed purpose and rest can be sold out.

The seed should be taken from a clean crop where the off types were removed.

The harvesting should be done soon after the physiological maturity and

threshing after 3-4 days drying. Sort out the off types, infected and shrivelled

seeds. Keep the clean and dry seeds in the cool place for storing. Fumigate the

store after putting the seeds at least ones. Observe the infestation of bruchids

and reapply fumes if damage is seen.

Crop utilization

Bean is mainly used after cooking as vegetable protein in the diet of rural as

well as urban population.