Beans are a typical Brazilian food, the main source of protein for the vast majority and the basis of several dishes consumed in the country, such as feijoada, soups, broths, in addition to the typical rice and beans, the most popular dish in Brazil.
For this food to reach the Brazilian table with quality, producers must adopt measures in planting that range from the preparation of the land, where from this, the bean grain will take all its vigor to develop, until harvest and storage.
Bean production in Brazil
Much of its production in Brazil comes from family farming. This type of production represents about 70% of all national production. Hence why this sector is not very specialized, where many productions are subsistence.
Large producers choose to produce the legume as a short-term bet in the midst of their other activities. Often planting in a consortium system, mainly with corn.
The common bean is cultivated to obtain its seeds (grains) that will be destined for consumption. Today, there are a large number of cultivated varieties; that vary in colors, shapes and sizes.
The development of the beanstalk depends on varieties adapted for cultivation in the region
Bean planting tips
It usually doesn’t take much to learn how to plant beans, but it’s important to be aware of a few details. Here are some crucial tips for an effective bean plantation that will yield great results.
seed variety
The decision of which bean seed to use must be made taking into account the region where the planting will be carried out. The producer must choose a variety that is adapted to his region. If necessary, Embrapa can be consulted to find out which is the most suitable or to carry out tests together with groups of farmers.
competition between species
For industrial production, beans have a greater cleaning requirement, and therefore, at planting, the beanstalk cannot have other species competing with it until the first 30 days when the pod starts to close. However, if the type of production is less demanding, for own or intercropped cultivation, this factor should not be taken into account.
Weather
The temperature must vary between 15ºC and 30ºC throughout the plant’s growing cycle. The ideal is between 18ºC and 25ºC. Beans do not tolerate frost and low temperatures.
Brightness
Requires high luminosity (direct sunlight, for example). In regions with greater intensity of solar radiation, the bean plantation may be partially shaded by taller plants grown in the same area, such as corn or coffee.
Solo
It needs to be well drained, fertile and rich in organic matter, with a pH between 5,5 and 6,5. Irrigation needs to be done in a way that keeps the soil always moist, but not soggy.
Seeding
Bean seeds should be planted in the final location, at a depth of 3 to 7 cm (3 or 4 cm if the soil is heavy or deeper if the soil is light).
The planting spacing may vary according to the variety to be grown and the conditions of that crop. Standard spacing is 40 to 60 cm between rows and 7 to 10 cm between plants.
In the first month of cultivation, it is essential that invasive plants are removed, as these may be competing for resources and nutrients.
It is important to pay attention to all stages of bean planting
Harvest
It is usually made 80 to 100 days after germination. Dried pods can be harvested by hand in small plantations. In larger plantations, harvesting is done when about 90% of the pods are dry, by cutting or uprooting the plants, either manually or with the use of harvesting machines.
Storage
The main thing to worry about here is storing the grain in a way that prevents air from entering. This care is necessary to prevent the weevil from developing, after all, beans are a living organism that if planted, will sprout and develop.
After these tips on how to plant beans, check the MF Rural website and find products you need for your production such as machines, implements, fertilizers, pesticides, seeds and much more.
See also: How to plant garlic in a pot?
