Seed and Crop Production of Yardlong Bean Under Organic Farming System

Abstract

Yardlong beans (Vigna sesquipedalis (L.) Fruw) is an economic crop in the leguminosae. It has potential for export both fresh and frozen and can be grown all year round and in every part of Thailand. However, the problem of pests occurs all through its growing life, prompting farmers to use chemicals to control it. The use of chemicals without considerations of their impacts and safety have induced various problems such as dangers to farmers themselves, ecological balance disturbance and effects on environment through food chain and then to the consumers. The deposit in soil, water contamination and residues in plants are all dangerous to living things and human health. Yardlong bean production using reduced amount of chemicals or organic farming system, hence, has become important and increasingly wanted. Organic farming system is the production system which avoids the use of synthetic fertilizers, insecticides and plant growth regulators. The standard requirement of organic plant production is that the seeds used for growing must be from organic farming production that has been approved. This is especially true for the Common European Market Council which requires farmers operating under the organic farming system to use the seeds produced via organic farming system since January 1, 2004. Thailand has also adopted that approach. However, there are many factors involving the production of seeds under the organic farming system, making the yield low. Hence, in producing organic seeds, suitable varieties should be selected to suit each area and they should be the open-pollinated varieties with regular quality high yield. It should be able to grow in low fertile soil, resist pests and diseases, and compete with weeds. The suitable season should be selected for the production of seeds and the planting areas should not be repeated. Rotation corps such as the bean family should be emphasized. Compost, farm manure, green manure, wastes from other materials, organic and inorganic matters from nature should be used as nutrients. The use of bio-extract solution and gypsum mixture is an alternative in the organic farming system because bio-extract solution is made from nature and can be used instead of chemical fertilizers as plant growth regulators and can be used for disease and pest

Evaluation of the Quality of Yard-Long Bean (Vigna unguiculata sub sp. sesquipedalis L.) Cultivars to Meet the Nutritional Security of Increasing Population

“…The yard-long bean is one of the most significant leguminous vegetables in Asia: it is also known as the asparagus bean, string bean, snake bean, or snake pea. This bean was first cultivated in West Africa, and it is now widely grown across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand, where it can be grown yearround [11][12][13]. The ideal growing temperature for yard-long beans ranges between 27 to 30 • C, and it is better able to withstand heat and dryness than other common beans such as lima bean.…”

Nutritional Properties of Yard Long Bean Cultivars in Bangladesh

“…It is more resistant to heat and drought than typical fields or lima beans. It is a yearround crop that may be cultivated in any section of the country [18]. During the pod development period, nutrient buildup, particularly protein and carbohydrate accumulation, occurs in seed tissues [10].…”

Effect of Varieties on Growth and Yield of Yard Long Bean under Songhkla Conditions, Southern Thailand

“…Yard long bean is one of the important economic vegetable crops in Thailand because it has given high productivities for export in both types of fresh and frozen. It can be grown all year round in all parts of the country (Nokkoul et al, 2009).…”