Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is one of the world's most important legumes, providing nutrients to many people. It is a staple food crop in Kenya, ranking second only to maize. The crop is grown in almost every region of Kenya. However, the main bean-growing provinces are Eastern, Nyanza, Central, Western, and Rift Valley.
Bean crops require very little care and add nitrogen to the soil.
A wide range of bean varieties are grown in Kenya. These include the following;
Bean Planting
Seeds are used for propagation, and it is best to use certified or disease-free seeds. Wrinkled, damaged, or diseased seeds should not be planted.
If rain-fed production is used, planting should begin as soon as the rains begin. Delays in sowing may result in crop failure or reduced yield.
Seeds are planted at a depth of 1-2 inches and a spacing of 40*15 cm (2 seeds per hill) or 30*15 cm (1 seed per hill).
The crop can be grown alongside other crops such as maize. Seeds germinate in 4 to 7 days, depending on variety and environmental conditions.
NB: Do not plant beans where the soil nitrogen content is too high or where green manure crops have been grown.
Pests
DRESS seeds with SHIELD 600FS 3 ml/kg, DRENCH soil with PROFILE 440EC 3 ml/l
DRESS seeds with SHIELD 600FS 3 ml/kg, DRENCH soil with PROFILE 440EC 3 ml/l, SPRAY LEXUS 247SC 8 ml/20l to kill the adults.
SPRAY ALONZE 50EC 5ml/20l
SPRAY LEXUS 247SC 8 ml/20l, SPRAY JAMBO CLEAN 5 ml/l to get rid of the sooty mold.
SPRAY ALONZE 50EC 3 ml/20l
SPRAY PENTAGON 50EC 10 ml/20l
SPRAY PROFILE 440EC 1.5 ml/l, SPRAY JAMBO CLEAN 100ml/20l to clean the sooty mold if need be.
SPRAY ALONZE 50EC 5 ml/20l or PROFILE 440EC 30ml/20l
Bean Nutrition
For optimal production, it is critical to provide the crop with adequate nutrients, both macro and micronutrient elements. This is because depriving the crop of these nutrients causes it to become weak and vulnerable to pathogen attack. This leads to a lower yield.
It is recommended that you use a phosphorus-rich fertilizer when planting. Manure can also be applied to the soil, depending on the amount of organic matter present. To improve plant nutrient uptake while also stimulating growth, mix 1 kg Humipower into 1 ton manure or 50 kg basal fertilizer.
Top dressing should be done about 4 to 5 weeks after germination. CAN is used or some basal fertilizer rich in Calcium, Boron, and Nitrates, which should also be mixed with HUMIPOWER at a rate of 1 Kg of Humipower per 50 kg of basal fertilizer.
However, these basal fertilizers should be supplemented with foliar fertilizers because they contain a diverse range of nutrient elements that are essential to plants.
Maturity, harvest, and post-harvest management
Beans can be harvested 70 to 120 days after sowing, depending on the variety. Others take shorter periods. When the plants reach maturity, their leaves turn yellowish to brown or fall off.
Beans can be harvested green or dry.
Dry harvesting involves harvesting pods when they are completely dry. However, if they have withered but remain moist, they can be harvested and sun dried. Plants can also be uprooted if the majority of the pods are ready to harvest.
Pods that are completely dry split open, exposing the dried beans, which is a risky time to harvest, so careful timing is required.
Dry beans are stored in treated gunny or PICS bags, which help to prevent significant damage from storage pests. To prevent pest damage while in storage, it is recommended that the seeds be treated with an insecticide, such as Actellic Super. Bags should be placed on pallets rather than directly on the floor.
Green beans can be refrigerated for 8 to 10 days, while dried beans can be kept in a cool, dry place for a year or more.
There are two main types of yellow beans grown in Kenya – pole beans and bush beans. Within each type, several popular varieties are cultivated:
The pole beans need staking while bush types are free standing. Both offer delicious bean varieties suited to Kenyan growing conditions.
Yellow beans grow best in certain conditions for optimal production:
Requirement | Description |
---|---|
Altitude | From sea level up to 2,400 meters above sea level |
Rainfall | At least 500-800 mm well distributed over the growing season |
Soils | Deep, well-drained sandy loams or clay loams with good fertility |
pH | Ideal soil pH is 5.5 to 7.5 |
Temperature | 18°C to 27°C is preferred but some varieties tolerate higher and lower temperatures |
Yellow beans thrive in most parts of Kenya, with the exception of very arid and semi-arid areas, due to their climate requirements. They thrive in highland areas with high rainfall, moderate temperatures, and fertile volcanic soils.
With irrigation, yellow beans can thrive in drier lower zones. Soil fertility is critical; the plants require sufficient nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for vigorous growth and maximum pod set.