FRENCH BEAN
Phaseolus vulgaris L.
Varieties
The French bean varieties are classified in two group’s viz. Dwarf or bush types and
Climbing or pole types. The varieties found suitable for this region are as follows.
Dwarf types- Contender, Pusa Parwati, Pant Anupama, Arka Komal, Selection-S Climbing
types- Kentucky Wonder, RCMFB-l
Soil and climate
French bean is grown during winter in plains, while it can be grown round the year except
winter in hilly regions. Although it can be grown on all types of soil, but loams and clay
loams are best for obtaining high yield. The soil and climatic conditions of this region is
highly suitable for cultivation of French bean.
Field preparation
For preparation of field, soil is ploughed 2-3 times with power tiller or with spade. Planking
is done during the last ploughing to make friable soil bed for sowing.
Seed rate
About 50-75 kg/ha would be required for dwarf bean, whereas for pole type the seed rate is
about 25 kg/ha.
Sowing time
French bean can be sown twice a year, in January-February and July-September in the
plains and March to June in the hills.
Sowing and spacing
Dwarf or bush types are sown with the spacing of row-to-row 40-50 cm and plant-to- Plant
spacing of 30 cm while pole type, at 60-65 cm x 10-12 cm. The seed should be sown at 2- 3
cm depth in soil.
Manures and fertilizer
FYM or compost @ 30 t/ha and NPK @ 60: 120:50 is incorporated in the soil during soil
preparation. Half dose of nitrogen and full dose of phosphorus and potash are applied at the
time of sowing and remaining half dose of nitrogen should be applied after one month of
sowing (time of flowering).
Common Pests and Diseases
Alternaria leaf spot
Disease emergence favored by high humidity and
warm temperatures; plants grown in nitrogen and
potassium deficient soils are more susceptible
Spray Mancozeb @2gm/Lt
Anthracnose
Use of healthy seeds, clean cultivation and avoidance of overhead irrigation are cultural management
for control. Sulfur fungicides like Thiram, DithaneZ-78 and the systemic fungicide like Benlate or
Bavistin@ 2 g/l of water should be used.
Fusarium root rot(wilt)
Young plants stunted with chlorotic leaves; older plants with chlorotic leaves and some leaf
drop; severely decayed roots which are hollow and dry
Root rot can be controlled by drenching with Carbendazim 1 g/lit in the root zone.
White mold (Sclerotinia rot)
Flowers covered in white, cottony fungal growth; small, circular, dark green, water-soaked
lesions on pods leaves and branches which enlarge and become slimy; cottony white growth
may be visible on lesions during periods of high humidity; death of branches and/or entire
plant
Spray Mancozeb @2gm/Lt and carbendaizam@ 1gm/lt
Bacterial blight
Disease can be introduced by contaminated seed; bacteria overwinters in crop debris;
disease emergence favored by warm temperatures; spread is greatest during humid, wet
weather conditions
Chemicals like copper sulphate, copper hydroxide, and potassium methyl dithiocarbamate
can control foliage infection. Application of copper-based bactericides could reduce
population of the bacteria. Applying these contact bactericides early in the seasons every 7
to 10 days intervals during cool, moist weather can decrease establishment of bacterial
pathogens . Foliar fertilizer applications have been successful, for example, the application
of manganese reduced the severity of the disease by up to 49% in bean plants under
greenhouse conditions. A twice foliar sprays of Kocide-101 chemical at the rate of 3.0 kg ha -
1
were significant in reducing CBB epidemics on common bean, increased seed yield and
yield components of the crop
Halo blight
The disease symptom on seedlings after germination is very important as it reveals the
original disease source. If the true leaves are yellow, it indicates that germs are infected. If
the growing point is red, it also shows that germs are infected. The red germ leaves and
yellow true leaves are symptoms of using seeds from infected fruits. The dripping spots
scattered on leaf surfaces indicate that the seeds were infected by bacterial blight, usually
from debris from dry leaves.
Chemical/Biological Control
Treating seed with streptomycin helps to reduce contamination of the seed coat. Using of
copper-based sprays at the mid vegetative to flowering stages will also help to provide
some control.
Bean insect and pest management
Jassids
Nature of damage
Both nymphs and adult suck the sap from the lower surface of the leaves. The damaged
leaves curl upwards along the margins. Which may turn yellowish and show burnt patches.
This affect adversely plants growth and yield.
Control measures
Spraying with 0.05% endosulfan, 0.03% Dimethoate or thiometon and 0.02%
phosphamidon control the pest effectively.
Aphids
Nature of damage
Aphids are found in large colonies on underside o leaves and tender shoots. The nymphs
and adults suck the sap. Therefore, the affected leaves turn yellow, get wrinkled and
destorted. The insect also exude honeydew on which fungus develops, rapidly covers the
plant with sooty mould that interferes with the photosynthetic activity of the plant. As a
result, the growth of plant is stunted and yield is affected adversely. Besides, they act as a
vector for transmitting by aphds. The loss caused on this account is far more severe than by
their feeding and devitalising the plant.
Control measures
Spraying with 0.05% endosulfan, 0.02% phosphamidon, 0.03% dimethoate, methyl
demeton or thiometon control the pest effectively.
Thrips
Nature of damage
The adults and nymphs feed on leaves. They scrape the epidermis and such the oozing sap.
As a result, light brown patches appear on infested leaves. The affected leaves curl and
become dry.
Control measures
Spraying with 0.05% endosulfan, 0.02% phosphamidon, 0.03% dimethoate, methyl
demeton or thiometon control the pest effectively.
Mites
Nature of damage
They suck the cell sap from leaves. Badly attacked leaves show a peculiar bronzy and shiny
appearance, ultimately wither and dry up.
Control measures
(1) Spray 0.2% sulphur or 0.03% dicofol (2) Sulphur dusting at the rate of 20-25 kg/ha
also gives satisfactory control of the pest.
Pod borer
Nature of damage
Caterpillars feed on tender foliage and young pods. They make holes in the pods and feed
on developing seeds by inserting anterior half portion of their body inside the pods.
Control measures
In early stage of attack handpicking of the caterpillars and their destruction, help in
reducing the intensity of infestation. Ploughing fields after the harvest of crop would expose
the pupae, which would be destroyed by birds. The pest can be successfully controlled by
spraying the crop with 0.05% quinalphos or fenitrohion. Spray with HaNPV @ 250 LE/ha.
Pulse beetle
Marks of identification
The adult beetle is more or less tapering at the anterior end; measuring about 6mm in
length. There are two ivory coloured spots in the middle of the dorsal side of its body. The
beetles are dark brown in colour. The grub is white, cylindrical, and fleshy and wrinkled with
brownish month-parts. It is always found inside the grain.
Nature of damage
It is a major pest of pulses in store. However, field infestation is also common. The young
grubs burrow into the pod or grain and continue to develop inside the grain. The holes seen
on pulses are the exit holes from where the adults have emerged. Such grains are
unsuitable for sowing.
Control measures
It is difficult to control the pest in the field. In storage however, fumigation with carbon-di-
sulphid at the rate of 1 lb/100 [Link]. or 2.5 1b EDCT/100 [Link]. or methyl bromide at 1
lb/[Link]. would control the pest.