cultivation practices of french bean

Soil and climate:

Beans can be grown on many kinds of soils varying from sand to heavy clay but well-drained sandy loams or red loams or silt loams are ideal. Soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0 with a minimum of 1% organic carbon are well suited for its cultivation. Season: Beans grow well at temperatures of 26–28°C. Pod setting is poor where the temperatures exceed 36°C or fall below 10°C.

Land preparation and manuring

The soil in the field is brought to fine tilth and the entire quantity of FYM mixed with Trichoderma and biofertilizers enriched FYM (30t/ha) is incorporated into the soil before planting. Ridges and furrows are opened at 60 cm spacing and neem cake is applied while forming ridges @ 250 kg / ha.

Sowing

 Bean seeds are usually planted 2-3 cm deep, deep enough to give good coverage and sufficient moisture to promote fast germination and growth. A spacing of 60 cm x 20 cm is recommended for better aeration and to minimize rapid spread of foliar diseases.

Weeding and Earthing up

The field should be kept weed free up to 40 days after sowing. Generally hand weeding is followed to control the weeds, which also helps in loosening the soil. First weeding can be done at 15 days after sowing and second weeding 30 days after sowing with earthing up operation

After care

French Bean germinates within 3-4 days. It starts flowering after 45 days. It should be weed free. Weeding should be given 20–25 days and 40 – 45 days after sowing.  The crop should be earthed up after each weeding. Pole type cultivars grow well on support made of cane frames. They are also supported by erecting wooden poles connected with strings.

Enrichment of FYM with Trichoderma and Bio-fertilizers

Well decomposed FYM is thoroughly mixed withTrichoderma harzianum, Azatobacter or Azospirillum and Phosphate Solubilizing bacteria (PSB) , all (@ 1 kg/tonne of FYM), moistened with sprinkling water and covered with plastic sheet or dried coconut fraunds and kept to incubate for 15 days. This enriched FYM should be mixed with 10 t of FYM before applying to the field.

Seed Treatment

Beans is a shy nodulator and in order to encourage good nodulation and better nitrogen fixation, treating seeds with Rhizobium culture is very essential. A day before sowing treat the seeds with rhizobium mixed in jaggery solution and allow to dry in the shade for about 5-6 hours.

Irrigation Management

Insufficient water at any growth stage will reduce yield and pod quality. It is most sensitive to water deficit during flowering and fruit development. For the good crop growth well-timed furrow irrigation is effective. Wilting in the late morning indicates that the crop should be irrigated. As a general rule during the dry season, irrigate at an interval of 3-4 days for the first month after sowing, and then every 5-7 days interval until crop completion. The root zone of young transplants is shallow so irrigation should be frequent and just enough to recharge the root zone. The crop is sensitive to water logging and fields, if flooded should be drained immediately.

Harvesting and Yield

Crop will be normally ready for first picking by 40 t0 45 days after sowing depending on the variety and season of cultivation. Harvest during cool periods, such as late afternoon or early morning. Immediately after harvest shift to shade the harvested produce. Further there will be 2 to 3 pickings to be done at 4-5 days interval. About 12 to 15 t/ha of marketable yields can be obtained with good organic production technology.