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Winged bean(Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)

Export Agriculture

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Common name: Winged bean

Botanical name: Psophocarpus tetragonolobus

Family : Leguminosae/Fabaceae

Other names:Goa bean Asparagus peaFour-angled bean Winged pea

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INTRODUCTION

Centre of origin : Madgascar or Mauritious

A tropical plant Short day plant An edible vegetable / legume Almost every part of this unique plant is tasty and edible Typically grows as an annual/perennial vine Ultimate multi-purpose crop

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Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Root Seed Seedpod Stem

Edible Uses:

Coffee Coloring Oil

Other Uses :Green manure Soil reclamation Cover crops

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Major growing areasgrows abundantly in hot, humid equatorial countries

Philippines Burma ThailandIndia Indonesia Sri Lanka

Popular countriesMediterranean countries,

Tropical Asia and South east Asian countries

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PLANT AND DESCRIPTION

Height : Height of the vines varies

between 3 and 4 meters

Bean pod : Pods have frilly borders 6 and 9 inches in length have 4 rows of wing type features

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Seeds :burst out from ripe pods become brownish at the time of ripeningbeans are round in shape emits an aroma which is similar to

asparagus

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Flower : Light blue colored Hermaphrodite

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RECOMMENDED VARIETIES

Variety recommended & released officially by DOA:

SLS – 44

Varieties recommended but not yet released officially:

UPS-122SLS- 40

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National average yield : 10 t/ha

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COMPOSITION OF WINGED BEAN

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Composition

Parts of plant / 100 g

Seeds Fresh pod Root

Water (ml) 9.0 73.8 75.0

Calories 420.0 85.0 91.0

Protein (g)  31.8 8.3 2.3

Fat (g) 17.0 0.8 0.6

Carbohydrate (g)

33.0 12.3 20.0

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Composition

Parts of plant / 100 g

Seeds Fresh pod Root

Fiber (g) 6.6 - 1.5

Calcium (mg)

210.0 40.0 -

Phosphorous (mg)

410.0 140.0 -

Iron (mg) 15.0 2.3 -

Vitamins - - -

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EXTENT OF CULTIVATION

Year Extent (ha)

Maha    Yala    Total  

1997 595 240 835

1998 772 505 1277

1999 772 505 1277

2000 585 522 1107

2001   614 556 1170

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SOIL & CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS

Ideal growing temperature: 25 0C Optimum Rain Fall:

1500-2000mm Elevation:

sea level - 2000 m

Soil types: sandy to heavy clayswell-drained sandy loam, rich in organic matter is preferred

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MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Land preparation Sowing Care Harvest Weed Control Irrigation Trellises

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Land preparation

Soil – plough to a depth of 30-40 cm & worked to a very fine tilth

The purpose of land preparationto provide the necessary soil conditions

which enhance the plant and root growth

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Sowing

Presoak the seeds for one to two days

Change the water a couple of times

If some seeds don't swell, nick them with a knife or sandpaper them at the distal end to

breach the tough seed coat, and soak for another day

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Spacing – at least 3.9 inches (10.0 cm)

Depth – around 0.78 inches (2.0 cm)

Grow the beans on a trellis oriented north/south for best sun exposure

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Care: Pinch out the top of the main vine when it has

produced 10-12 leaves to encourage side shoots

Keep the beans well-watered

Add a side dressing of 1 cup of high-nitrogen fertilizer per 10 square feet for higher yields

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Harvesting:

Pick the shoots and leaves while they are still tender

Harvest the large, pale blue flowers for salad

Green pods can be harvested from about 10 weeks after sowing

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Weed Control: Weed control is necessary for the first 3-5

weeks

Irrigation: Grow best under hot, wet conditions with

60 to 100 inches of rainfall or irrigation per year

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Trellises: Support of the vine is essential for high

seed production

A trellis height of 2 m is optimal

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POSTHARVEST

To keep them fresh, can store them in a plastic bag with its neck tightly tied

Place it in the refrigerator for best results

Temperature: 10°C

Relative humidity: 90%

Shelf life: 4 weeks

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PESTS & DISEASES

Free from major pest and diseases in Sri Lanka,but the following are prevalent

Diseases : False rust Leaf spot Mosaic virus Witches broom

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Pests : MitesAphidsLeaf minorFlower borer

Pod borer (Heliothis) Root knot nematode Pod borer (Maruka)

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PROS

Tasty, mild flavored greens

The ultimate multi-purpose crop for small farmers and gardeners in the tropics

Leaves are high in superior quality protein

Strong nitrogen fixing legume with unusual number of nodules

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Tolerates heat Tolerates acid soil

Apparently can utilize inexpensive readily available cowpea inoculant to begin nodulation when introduced to new areas

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CONS

Very susceptible to water logging Very susceptible to frost and cold weather

Seeds are difficult to germinate

Most varieties have photoperiod sensitivities that limit the plant's success in many locations

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Needs good drainage

Needs lots of water 1500 mm for good growth 2500 mm or more for top production

The 'wings' on fresh winged beans are very delicate makes them more difficult to handle and to

ship than other fresh bean variety

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GROUP MEMBERS

W.S.P. JayathilakaUWU/EAG/11/0021

H.K.I.J. ThilakarathneUWU/EAG/11/0022

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THANK YOU