This presentation is done by Export Agriculture students of 2010/11 batch of Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka as a requirement for the subject which is “Fruit & Vegetable Cultivation”. Note that the information included here is relevant to Sri Lankan condition

1. Winged bean
(Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)
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Export Agriculture

2. Common name: Winged bean
Botanical name: Psophocarpus tetragonolobus
Family : Leguminosae/Fabaceae
Other names:
Goa bean
Asparagus pea
Four-angled bean
Winged pea
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3. 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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4. 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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5. Major growing areas
grows abundantly in hot, humid equatorial countries
Philippines Burma Thailand
India Indonesia Sri Lanka
Popular countries
Mediterranean countries,
Tropical Asia and South east
Asian countries
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6. 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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7. Seeds :
burst out from ripe pods
become brownish at the time of ripening
beans are round in shape
emits an aroma which is similar to
asparagus
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8. Flower :
 Light blue colored
 Hermaphrodite
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9. Variety recommended & released officially
by DOA:
SLS – 44
Varieties recommended but not yet
released officially:
UPS-122
SLS- 40
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10.  National average yield : 10 t/ha
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12. 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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13. 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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14. 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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15. Ideal growing temperature: 25 0C
Optimum Rain Fall:
1500-2000mm
Elevation:
sea level - 2000 m
Soil types:
sandy to heavy clays
well-drained sandy loam,
rich in organic matter is preferred
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16. Land preparation
Sowing
Care
Harvest
Weed Control
Irrigation
Trellises
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17. Land preparation
Soil – plough to a depth of 30-40 cm &
worked to a very fine tilth
The purpose of land preparation
 to provide the necessary soil conditions
which enhance the plant and root growth
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18. 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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19.  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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20. 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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21. 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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22. 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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23. Trellises:
 Support of the vine is essential for high
seed production
 A trellis height of 2 m
is optimal
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24. 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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25. 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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26. Pests :
Mites
Aphids
Leaf minor
Flower borer
Pod borer (Heliothis)
Root knot nematode
Pod borer (Maruka)
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27. 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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28. 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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29. 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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30. 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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31. W.S.P. Jayathilaka
UWU/EAG/11/0021
H.K.I.J. Thilakarathne
UWU/EAG/11/0022
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