Potential of climbing beans in Northern Zambia
1995
Musanya, John C.
Beans constitute an important source of vegetable protein in Zambia and is consumed as a popular relish in both rural and urban households. Beans produced in Zambia is dominated by dwarf types which are adapted to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. Despite a wide adaptation, over 60 percent of beans produced comes from Northern Zambia with rather low yields of around 300 kg/ha. Semi climbing types which are slighty higher yielding are often grown intercropped with maize as a minor early season crop. True climbing types which are higher yielding and take longer to mature are not common. Introductions of true climbing types from CIAT were first evaluated in Eastern Zambia in 1987 where they performed poorly by averaging 292 kg/ha as a result of a short season. In Northern Zambia where the growing season is longer but grown on an infertile site gave mean yields of 710 and 786 kg/ha in 1993 and 1994 respectively. Future research is expected to lead to a better production and management strategy beneficial to small holder farmers who mostly cultivate beans in Zambia.
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