SUGAR BEANS- Growing Tips
SUGAR BEANS PRODUCTION- GENERAL
• Sugar Beans do well in warm seasons of the year. Optimum temperatures for growing are 15ºC to 27ºC.
• A well managed Sugar beans crop should yield 750kg - 1 ton per Lima.
LAND PREPARATION/SOIL TYPE
• Deep well drained loamy soils will a pH range from 5.5 to 6 is ideal.
• Effective rooting depth is 60cm.
• Plough and harrow to a 60cm fine tilth seedbed.
PLANTING AND TRANSPLANTING
• Sow directly 3 to 4cm deep at seed rates of 15 to 25kgs seed per Lima with 1seed / station.
• Space the plants at 5cm between plants and 60cm between rows to give a plant population of 330,000 plants /hectare.
FERTILIZER PROGRAMME
• At planting apply Veg Mix A 30 gm /m2 (19 kg/lima) - Broadcasted.
• 21days from planting top dress using Veg Top 24 10 gm/m2 (19 kg/Lima) - Broadcasted.
• 35days from planting top dress using Veg Top 24 10 gm/m2 (19 kg/Lima) - Broadcasted.
• 49days from planting top dress using Veg Top 24 10 gm/m2 (19 kg/Lima) - Broadcasted.
• 63days from planting top dress using Veg Top 24 10 gm/m2 (19 kg/Lima) - Broadcasted.
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
• Weeds compete with plants for nutrients and space; they can reduce yields by more than 25%. Keep the field free from weeds at all times.
• Tall varieties must be trellised to keep them upright.
• Scout for pests and diseases once weekly, spray upon noticing disease or pest. Aphids, Leaf miner, Loopers, American Bollworms, Chafer beetles, Snails and Red spider mites are common insect pests while Rust, Blights and Root rot are common Beans diseases.
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