Origin and Common Names
Vigna golungensis Baker is a wild flowering vine that belongs to the family Fabaceae and subfamily Papilionoideae. It is native to the Asian continent, where it is found in countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. The plant is commonly known as "Golden Bean" or "Golung Bean" in English. In the local languages of the regions where it grows, it is known as "Thua phu" in Thailand, "Thaipin" in Myanmar, and "Thua rong" in Laos.
Appearance
The plant grows as a creeping vine, with thin stems that can reach up to 1.5 meters in length. The leaves are pinnate, with three leaflets that are oval in shape and measure about 3-5 cm in length. The flowers are yellow in color, with petals that are about 1 cm long. The fruit is a legume pod that is about 5 cm long, dark brown in color, and contains several small seeds. The plant generally grows in the wild, but it can also be cultivated and grown in gardens or farms.
Uses
Vigna golungensis Baker has several uses in traditional medicine and local cuisine. In traditional medicine, the plant has been used to treat various ailments such as fever, urinary tract infections, and digestive disorders. The leaves and roots of the plant are boiled and consumed as a tea or used topically as a poultice. In local cuisine, the young leaves and pods of the plant are cooked and consumed as a vegetable, while the mature seeds are used to make soups, stews, and curries. The plant is also used as a green manure crop due to its nitrogen-fixing abilities, which improve soil fertility and promote growth of other crops.
Light Requirements
Vigna golungensis Baker is a tropical plant that requires plenty of sunlight for optimal growth. It thrives best in areas where it can get exposed to bright, direct sunlight for at least six hours each day. However, too much direct sun can damage the plant, so it is crucial to provide partial shade during the hottest periods of the day.
Temperature Requirements
The plant requires a warm environment for optimal growth and development. Temperatures should be maintained between 20°C to 35°C (68°F to 95°F). The lowest temperature for this plant to survive is about 15°C (59°F), and exposure to frost will damage or kill the plant.
Soil Requirements
Vigna golungensis Baker requires well-draining soil rich in organic matter. A soil pH level of 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal for the plant to thrive. It prefers deep, fertile soils with good water-holding capacity. The plant requires adequate irrigation, and it is essential to maintain soil moisture levels during the growing season.
Other Requirements
It is crucial to keep the plant free from pests and diseases. Regular removal of weeds and pruning of damaged or dead parts of the plant is necessary for plant health and productivity. Additionally, the plant requires support for proper growth as it is a climbing vine.
Cultivation Methods
Vigna golungensis Baker, also known as Kacang Tanah Perak or Perak Groundnut, is a legume plant that is native to Malaysia. It is typically cultivated as an annual plant and can grow up to a height of 60 cm. It is generally recommended to be grown in a well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. The best time to plant this crop is during the rainy season.
It is advisable to plant the crop in rows, leaving a gap of about 10-15 cm between the plants. The seeds should be sown at a depth of about 2 cm and should be covered with a thin layer of soil. The crop should be watered immediately after planting.
Watering Needs
Vigna golungensis Baker requires moderate watering. During the initial stage of growth, the soil should be kept moist, but not waterlogged. Once the crop is established, it can tolerate short periods of drought, but prolonged water stress can cause its leaves to wilt and fall off.
It is important to ensure that the soil is well-draining because waterlogged soil can cause root rot. Watering should be done in the morning or late afternoon to avoid evaporation loss and to allow the soil to absorb sufficient moisture.
Fertilization
Vigna golungensis Baker requires nitrogen-rich fertilizer during its growth period. A balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 14:14:14 or 16:16:16 is recommended. If the soil is deficient in organic matter, well-decomposed compost can be added to the soil before planting.
During the early stage of growth, the crop should be fertilized with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer once every two weeks. When flowering begins, a more phosphorus-rich fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 15:30:15 should be applied once every three weeks until harvesting.
Pruning
Vigna golungensis Baker does not require pruning except for the removal of diseased or damaged leaves and pods. This helps to prevent the spread of diseases and pests and promotes healthy growth and yield.
When harvesting, the pods should be picked as soon as they mature to prevent them from splitting. Harvesting should be done in the early morning or late afternoon when the pods are dry to avoid damage during handling and transport.
Propagation of Vigna golungensis Baker
Vigna golungensis Baker is a legume species that belongs to the family Fabaceae. The plant is native to Borneo, in the Southeast Asian region. Propagation of Vigna golungensis Baker is mostly done through seeds, which can be harvested from mature pods. There are also other propagation methods that can be used for this plant species such as cuttings and grafting.
Seed Propagation
Seed propagation is the most common method of propagating Vigna golungensis Baker. The seeds can be harvested from mature pods by removing them from the pod and allowing them to dry naturally. Once they are dried, the seeds can be stored in a cool and dry area until ready to be planted. The seeds can be planted directly into the soil or in pots indoors. For best results, plant the seeds during the wet season.
Cutting Propagation
Cutting propagation is another method of propagating Vigna golungensis Baker. To propagate through cuttings, select a healthy stem and make a clean cut just below a leaf node. The cutting should be around 15 cm long, and all the leaves except for the top two should be removed. The cutting should then be dipped in rooting hormone and planted in a pot filled with well-draining soil. Keep the soil moist and warm until the cutting has developed roots.
Grafting
Grafting is the process of attaching the stem of one plant onto the root of another plant. Vigna golungensis Baker can be propagated through grafting, which requires the selection of a healthy rootstock and scion. The rootstock is the plant onto which the scion is grafted. The scion is a stem from the desired plant. The two plants are joined by cutting the stem of the rootstock and inserting the scion. The graft should then be wrapped with grafting tape or plastic to hold it in place and keep it moist. The grafted plant should be kept in a warm and humid environment until it has successfully fused.
Disease and Pest Management of Vigna golungensis Baker
Vigna golungensis Baker is a leguminous plant that belongs to the family Fabaceae. This plant is known for its high nutritional value and is widely cultivated in Southeast Asia. However, like any other crop, V. golungensis is susceptible to various diseases and pests that can significantly reduce its yield. Therefore, farmers must implement appropriate management strategies to control these threats to the plant's health and productivity.
Common Diseases and Pests of V. golungensis
V. golungensis is prone to the following diseases:
- Anthracnose: This fungal disease causes the leaves and stems to develop small, circular, sunken spots that are brown or black. The affected plant parts may become distorted or die prematurely.
- Root rot: Caused by various fungi, root rot leads to the decay of the plant's roots, resulting in wilting, yellowing, and death of the plant.
- Mosaic virus: This viral disease causes the leaves to develop mottled yellow or green patches and stunted growth.
Furthermore, the following pests can attack V. golungensis:
- Aphids: These sap-sucking insects cause the leaves to curl, yellow, and stunt the plant's growth.
- Bean fly: The larvae of this fly bore into the stems and pods, causing withering and death of the plant.
- Cutworms: These caterpillars feed on the plant's foliage, cutting the stems near the soil surface.
Ways to Manage Diseases and Pests
Farmers can implement several measures to manage the diseases and pests that affect V. golungensis. These include:
- Seed treatment: Farmers can treat the seeds before planting with a fungicide and insecticide to prevent diseases and pests.
- Crop rotation: Farmers can rotate V. golungensis with other non-leguminous crops to interrupt the life cycles of pests and reduce the spread of diseases.
- Sanitation: Farmers must remove and destroy any infected or infested crop residues, weeds, and debris that serve as breeding and hiding places for pests and pathogens.
- Biological control: Farmers can introduce natural predators and parasites to control the population of pests.
- Chemical control: Farmers can apply appropriate pesticides and fungicides to control pests and diseases, following the recommended dosage and application methods.
By implementing these management strategies, farmers can effectively protect their V. golungensis crops from diseases and pests and achieve better yields.
