Growing Kidney Beans Information
Introduction to Kidney Beans
- French beans and kidney beans are two of the many varieties of common beans.
- Annual herbaceous plants called kidney beans are produced all over the world for their tasty seeds and beans. They are commonly referred to as “red kidney beans” due to their red colour and kidney-shaped shape.
- Originating in Peru, kidney beans are now grown all over South and Central America.
kidney bean varieties
In general, bush type kidney bean cultivars grow as an upright bush that is 25 to 60 cm tall, while pole or running cultivars can grow as vines that are 2 to 3 metres long.
kidney beans leaves
- All varieties of red kidney beans have green or purple leaves with three oval, smooth-edged leaflets that range in size from 6 to 14 cm long to 3 to 10 cm wide.
kidney beans flowers
- The white, pink, or purple flowers are about one centimetre long, and the 8–20 cm long and 1–1.5 cm diameter pods are similar in size.
- Depending on the cultivar, they can be green, yellow, black, or purple and each one contains four to five beans.
The demand for red kidney beans is very strong both domestically and internationally. Commercial growers of red kidney beans might get respectable profits with well-planned planting. Even at home, red kidney beans can be grown in pots, containers, and backyards. 12′′ pots can be used to cultivate them. Bush arrays work well for bins that hold containers. Both a polyhouse and a greenhouse can be used to raise red kidney beans.
Other Names of Kidney Beans
- French bean
- Garden bean
- Green bean
- String bean
- Field bean
- Flageolet bean
- Haricot bean
- Snap bean
- pop bean
Scientific Name/ Botanical Name of Kidney Beans
Phaseolus vulgaris L.
Family Name of Kidney Beans
Fabaceae.
Genus of Kidney Beans
Phaseolus.
Health Benefits of Kidney Beans
The following are some of the health benefits of Red Kidney Beans.
- Helps in lowering high cholesterol
- Kidney beans are an excellent source of proteins
- Kidney beans are natural detoxifiers
- Kidney beans may prevent a certain type of cancers
- Kidney beans help in weight loss
- Kidney beans are a good source of fibre and help relieve constipation
- Kidney beans improve heart health
- Kidney beans have Anti-aging properties
- Kidney beans are helpful asthma patients
- Regular consumption of kidney beans boosts immune power
- Consuming kidney beans may help in reducing hypertension
- Kidney beans are good at improving memory
- Kidney beans have a low GI, hence good for diabetics
- Kidney beans boost energy
- Kidney beans have Anti-oxidative properties
Varieties/Types (Cultivars)of Kidney Beans
Over the world, kidney beans are farmed in a variety of ways. However they can be generically classified into two types.
- Bush bean varieties
- Pole bean varieties
Bush bean varieties
- In Asia, particularly in India, the bush type cultivars Pusa parbati, Arka Komal, Jampa, Bountiful, Prider, Pencil wonder, and challenger are grown.
Pole bean varieties
- The cultivars VPF-191, Kentucky Wonder, and Premier are grown as pole types.
Climate Requirement for Kidney Beans
- With temperatures ranging from 24°C to 35°C, tropical and temperate climates are ideal for kidney bean growth.
- 75 to 175 cm of evenly spaced yearly rainfall are needed for this crop.
- Maximum vegetative development requires soil temperatures between 32 and 34°C .
- As this crop is highly vulnerable to frost conditions, avoid excessively low temperatures and extremely hot temperatures.
Soil Requirement for Kidney Beans
A variety of soils are suitable for growing kidney beans. Yet, the ideal soils for high yields and high-quality produce are well-drained sandy loam soils. If you want to grow this crop in your backyard and encounter thick soil, add some mature garden compost to the soil. Even in sandy soils, it is advised to add a few inches of compost. A soil test should be conducted by commercial farmers to determine the compatibility and fertility. Based on the results of the soil test, you must incorporate any nutrient/micronutrient deficits when preparing the property. For growing red kidney beans, a soil pH between 5.2 and 6.0 is recommended.
Land Preparation for Kidney Beans
A suitable seedbed and enough soil moisture are necessary for kidney bean crop germination or sprouting. Giving the soil a few deep ploughings, followed by three to four harrowing and planking, will result in a nice tilth. Avoid adding excessive amounts of organic matter to the soil since this promotes vegetative growth.
Season, Seed Rate, Sowing and Spacing of Kidney Beans
Before the monsoon season begins, rainfed crops can be sown. Another sowing window is from mid-October to mid-November. A crop that is irrigated, however, can be planted at any time of the year.
The cultivar (variety), seed size, and cropping pattern all affect seed rate. In addition, the intercropping with row proportions may vary. Typically, the seed rate for small-seeded cultivars is from 90 to 100 kg/ha, while the seed rate for bold-seeded cultivars ranges from 130 to 140 kg to cover a hectare of land.
With a depth of 2 to 3 cm, the seed can be planted by drilling, dribbling, or broadcasting. Plant to plant distance is 10 cm and row to row distance is 30 cm.
Irrigation for Kidney Beans
Due to the short root structure of kidney bean plants, the soil must be sufficiently moist. Just before blooming, during flowering, and during pod formation stages are crucial times to water plants. You must maintain proper irrigation throughout the crop cycle if the crop is rain-fed. It typically needs four irrigations at 25, 50, 75, and 90 days after seeding. To keep the plants dry and avoid any fungal problems, avoid overhead watering. Red kidney bean cultivation can use drip irrigation or basin irrigation.
Manures and Fertilisers for Kidney Beans
Biological nitrogen “N” fixing in kidney beans is inadequate due to weak nodulation. This crop typically needs ‘N’ of 110 to 120 kg/ha. This crop has a very low sensitivity to potassium and other micronutrients, and it needs 60 kg of P2O5 per ha to get improved yields.
Intercultural Operations of Kidney Beans Crop:-
- Weed Control:
Because these plants have shallow roots, use caution when weeding. To keep the crop free of weeds, shallow cultivation should be used. To effectively suppress weeds, pre-emergence applications of any herbicide, such as dinitomaterial (2–3 kg/acre) and the sodium salt of pentachlorophenol (6 kg/acre), can be made. Red kidney bean cultivation has been observed to benefit from one hand weeding 30 days after seeding.
- Crop Rotation:
Avoid monoculture systems and use different legume crops in your crop rotation. You might alternate this crop with mustard or potatoes. You can grow kidney beans with maize and soybeans.
Pests and Diseases of Kidney Beans
For the cultivation of any crop, plant care is a crucial responsibility. To prevent any crop loss, one should prioritise potential pests and illnesses. Common and significant insect pests in the crop of red kidney beans include caterpillars, blister beetles, bean bugs, and aphids. The main factors reducing bean yield include bean golden mosaic virus, stem rot, pod rot, and collar rot. Contact your local department of agriculture or horticulture for information on the signs and remedies for these pests and diseases.
Harvesting of Kidney Beans
How can I determine if a crop is mature? As a result, the crop’s leaves and pods would turn a yellowish brown and the majority of the leaves would fall. To prevent any breaking, it’s crucial to pick up when it’s appropriate. After harvesting, activities include threshing the collected crop and drying the pods in the sun for a week.
The Yield of Kidney Beans
The kind of soil, the climate, and other crop management techniques all affect the yield of kidney beans. A yield of 2 to 2.5 tonnes/ha of grains and 3 to 3.5 tonnes/ha of straw is typically achievable under ideal agricultural and horticultural growing practices.