Origin
Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. is a type of leguminous plant that is native to southern Africa and Madagascar. It belongs to the family Fabaceae and is closely related to other food crops such as common beans, cowpeas, and lentils.
Common Names
Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. is known by several common names, depending on the region. In South Africa, it is known as "wild haricot bean" or "wild sugar bean", while in Madagascar it is referred to as "voanjobory" or "voanjobory fotsy".
Uses
Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. is a versatile plant that has many uses. Its seeds are edible and can be used as a food source for humans and animals. In South Africa, the beans are often cooked and eaten like common beans. The plant also has medicinal properties and is used to treat various ailments such as dysentery, diarrhea, and rheumatism. Additionally, the plant is used as a soil enhancer due to its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil.
General Appearance
Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. is a climbing or trailing plant that can grow up to 3 meters in length. The plant has trifoliate leaves with leaflets that are ovate to lanceolate in shape and serrated at the margins. The flowers are small and white or cream-colored, and the fruits are long, narrow pods that contain the seeds. The seeds are generally small, round, and a pale shade of cream or yellowish-white.
Typical Growth Conditions of Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey.
Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey., or commonly known as the climbing bean, is a perennial plant that belongs to the family Fabaceae. Its growth conditions are similar to other plants of the same family, but there are specific requirements to ensure proper growth and development.
Light Requirements
The plant requires plenty of sunlight for vigorous growth. It thrives in full sunlight, but it can also grow in partial shade. A location with at least six hours of direct sunlight is ideal for climbing beans to produce higher yields.
Temperature Requirements
The plant needs warm temperatures to grow properly. It thrives in temperatures between 70-85°F (21-29°C) during the day and 60-70°F (15-21°C) at night. The climbing bean is sensitive to frost and must be planted after the danger of frost has passed.
Soil Requirements
The climbing bean can grow in a wide range of soils, but it prefers well-drained soils with a pH range of 6.0-7.5. The soil must be rich in organic matter and should have good moisture retention capacity. Adding compost or well-rotted manure can improve soil fertility, which is essential for the better growth of the plant.
Additionally, the plant requires adequate irrigation to maintain consistent soil moisture. Drought stress can impact its growth and yield as it has shallow roots and is prone to waterlogging.
In conclusion, providing the suitable growth conditions is crucial for the proper growth and yield of Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. The ideal light, temperature, and soil conditions must be maintained for the best performance of climbing beans.
Cultivation Methods
Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. is a leguminous plant that requires a warm and humid climate for growth. Therefore, the best time to cultivate this plant is during the summer months when the temperature is around 20-30°C. The plant requires well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. The seeds can be directly sown into the soil at a depth of 2 cm, and the spacing between the seeds should be around 30 cm. The plant needs support for climbing, and therefore, trellising or staking can be provided.
Watering Needs
Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. requires moderate watering. The soil should be moist, but not waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to root rot, and therefore, the soil should be allowed to dry out between watering. During the summer months, the plant may require frequent watering, whereas during the winter months, the watering frequency can be reduced.
Fertilization
Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. is a nitrogen-fixing plant and therefore, requires minimal fertilization. However, the addition of phosphorus and potassium can enhance the growth and yield of the plant. Organic fertilizers, such as compost or manure, can be added to the soil before planting. Additionally, a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 can be added during the flowering stage.
Pruning
Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. requires pruning to enhance its growth and yield. Pruning should be done regularly to remove the dead and diseased parts of the plant. Additionally, the plant should be trained onto the trellis or support structure by tying the stems to prevent tangling. Pruning can also increase the number of flowers and pods produced by the plant.
Propagation of Phaseolus adenanthus G. Mey.
Phaseolus adenanthus G. Mey., commonly referred to as the green bush bean, is a leguminous plant that can only be found in South Africa. The plant is drought-tolerant, easy to cultivate and is suitable for subsistence farming, making it a valuable crop in the country. Propagation of Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. is mostly done through seeds and occasionally cuttings.
Propagation through seeds
Propagation through seeds is the most common method of propagating Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. The seeds should be obtained from reliable sources and should be healthy and disease-free. Seeds should be sown during the warm months of the year.
Before planting, the seeds should be soaked overnight in warm water to promote faster germination. The soil should be well-drained, fertile and loose. When planting, the seeds should be sown at a depth of 2-3 cm and spaced 10-15 cm apart. The soil surface should be gently firmed to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.
The seedlings should be kept moist but not waterlogged. They should be protected from extreme weather conditions such as strong winds and heavy rain. As the seedlings grow, they should be thinned to a spacing of 30-40 cm apart to provide enough space for growth and avoid overcrowding.
Propagation through cuttings
Propagation of Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. through cuttings is a rare occurrence, but it is possible. Cuttings are usually taken from mature plants during the vegetative phase. The cuttings should be around 10-15 cm long and should be taken from a healthy and disease-free plant.
The cuttings should be inserted into a well-drained potting mix such as peat moss or perlite. The potting mix should be kept moist but not waterlogged. The cuttings should be kept in a warm, humid environment with bright, indirect light. Rooting can take up to 4-6 weeks.
Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted into the garden or into a larger container. They should be treated as normal seedlings and cared for until maturity.
Disease and Pest Management for Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey.
Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. is a highly susceptible plant species, making it vulnerable to several types of diseases and pests attacks. Proper management practices can help to control the spread of diseases and pests, thereby minimizing damage to the plant.
Common Diseases
One of the most common diseases affecting Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. is anthracnose caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Symptoms of anthracnose include dark lesions on leaves, stems, and pods of the plant, leading to the death of infected tissues. To manage anthracnose, farmers can practice crop rotation to reduce the buildup of the pathogen in the soil, use disease-free seed, and apply fungicides like copper-based sprays.
Another notable disease in Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. is the root rot caused by the fungus Fusarium solani. Infected plants wilt and eventually die due to the inability of the roots to absorb nutrients and water. Farmers can manage root rot by planting resistant varieties, providing adequate drainage, and avoiding overwatering.
Common Pests
The legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata) is one of the significant pests affecting Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. It is a caterpillar that feeds on pods and leaves of the plant, leading to yield loss. To manage the pest, farmers can practice crop rotation, intercropping, and use pheromone traps or biological control like the use of Bacillus thuringiensis.
The bean beetle (Acanthoscelides obtectus) is another common pest that attacks Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. larvae of the beetle bore into the seeds, leading to discoloration and reduced germination. Farmers can manage the pest through crop rotation, early planting, and use of insecticides like pyrethroids sprays.
Conclusion
Disease and pest management are essential for the successful cultivation of Phaseolus adenanthus G.Mey. Farmers should implement proper management practices, including crop rotation, use of disease-free seeds, and the application of pesticides to control diseases and pests effectively.
