Page 2 - CROP RESEARCH CORNER
P. 2
GENERAL CULTIVATION
The long bean plant grows well on well-drained, fertile loamy soils with soil pH 5.0-6.5. It
can be grown in the open field or in a nethouse. Seeds are usually dibbled directly to
planting beds spaced 30-50 cm apart. The plants are usually arranged in double rows
and spaced at 60 cm by 60 cm. The beds are covered with plastic mulch to control
weeds, retain moisture, deters aphid invasion and reduce fertilizer run off during heavy
rain.
2
One to two weeks prior to transplanting, the beds are basal dressed with 0.5 -1.0 kg/m
2
2
of well composted chicken dung, 100 g/m of dolomite and 30 g/m of compound
fertilizer such as 15:15:15 or 12:12:17:2+TE. From flowering onwards, side dressing of
2
30 g/m of 12:12:17:2+TE at two weeks interval is applied until the crop ends.
Long bean is a climbing annual and supports must be provided to prevent lodging of
plants. Stakes of 200 - 250 cm long are inserted near the planting holes before sowing
or 2 - 3 weeks after seedling emergence. The method of staking varies, depending on
availability of materials for support and is sometimes combined with ropes or wire.
Training system such as trellis, double post or any other methods can be used as long
as there is ample space for the plants to twine and there is no overcrowding of plants.
Pruning of side branches or laterals especially those growing near the ground must be
carried out. This is to facilitate better aeration between the plants.
CROP HEALTH
The major pests of long bean are bean flies, pod borers, thrips and aphids. Common
diseases are leaf rust, fusarium wilt, anthracnose and Cercospora leaf spot. Use only
registered and appropriate pesticides for pest and disease control. Good agricultural
practices like crop rotation, fallowing, use of plastic mulch, adequate irrigation, etc.
should be adopted by the farmers too.
HARVESTING AND POST HARVEST HANDLING
‘Stringlong’ bean is best harvested when the pods are shiny and the outline of the seeds
is just slightly visible on the outside of the pod. Frequent harvesting is required in order
to achieve the crop’s full yield potential. Unless the pods are intended for collecting
seeds, they should not be left to mature on the plants.
Baskets should be used to collect harvested pods as this allows good aeration, lowers
heat build up and avoids crop loss. For retail market, long bean is packed in polybags
2
The long bean plant grows well on well-drained, fertile loamy soils with soil pH 5.0-6.5. It
can be grown in the open field or in a nethouse. Seeds are usually dibbled directly to
planting beds spaced 30-50 cm apart. The plants are usually arranged in double rows
and spaced at 60 cm by 60 cm. The beds are covered with plastic mulch to control
weeds, retain moisture, deters aphid invasion and reduce fertilizer run off during heavy
rain.
2
One to two weeks prior to transplanting, the beds are basal dressed with 0.5 -1.0 kg/m
2
2
of well composted chicken dung, 100 g/m of dolomite and 30 g/m of compound
fertilizer such as 15:15:15 or 12:12:17:2+TE. From flowering onwards, side dressing of
2
30 g/m of 12:12:17:2+TE at two weeks interval is applied until the crop ends.
Long bean is a climbing annual and supports must be provided to prevent lodging of
plants. Stakes of 200 - 250 cm long are inserted near the planting holes before sowing
or 2 - 3 weeks after seedling emergence. The method of staking varies, depending on
availability of materials for support and is sometimes combined with ropes or wire.
Training system such as trellis, double post or any other methods can be used as long
as there is ample space for the plants to twine and there is no overcrowding of plants.
Pruning of side branches or laterals especially those growing near the ground must be
carried out. This is to facilitate better aeration between the plants.
CROP HEALTH
The major pests of long bean are bean flies, pod borers, thrips and aphids. Common
diseases are leaf rust, fusarium wilt, anthracnose and Cercospora leaf spot. Use only
registered and appropriate pesticides for pest and disease control. Good agricultural
practices like crop rotation, fallowing, use of plastic mulch, adequate irrigation, etc.
should be adopted by the farmers too.
HARVESTING AND POST HARVEST HANDLING
‘Stringlong’ bean is best harvested when the pods are shiny and the outline of the seeds
is just slightly visible on the outside of the pod. Frequent harvesting is required in order
to achieve the crop’s full yield potential. Unless the pods are intended for collecting
seeds, they should not be left to mature on the plants.
Baskets should be used to collect harvested pods as this allows good aeration, lowers
heat build up and avoids crop loss. For retail market, long bean is packed in polybags
2
