Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Management: Standard  Minor Global Crop  Staple Crop: Protein

Phaseolus lunatus generally grow well in lowland tropical areas at elevations up to 1,500 metres[300 ]. Annual rainfall in the range of 900 - 1,500 is adequate[300 ], but once established the crop tolerates as little as 500 - 600 mm of rainfall[299 ]. Plants are generally tolerant of heavy rainfall during the growing period, though heavy rain, when they are flowering, can adversely affect fertilization[300 ]. A dry period is required for the seeds to mature[300 ]. Temperatures higher than 30°c adversely affect fertilization, especially in forms that have large seeds[300 ]. Requires a well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[200 ]. Prefers a sandy loam[300 ].. Plants are prone to drop their flowers when grown in nitrogen-rich soils[200 ]. Found in the wild on a range of well-drained soils from black clay to brown friable to rocky and sandy (even on sand dunes near beaches) and variously derived from basalt, volcanic ash, limestone. metamorphic schists or volcanic rock[1555 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7[300 ], however, some cultivars tolerate acid soils with a pH as low as 4.4[299 ]. Some climbing forms are more drought-resistant than bush forms due to their deep, well-developed root system[299 , 300 ]. Plants can commence producing their edible seedpods in 12 - 16 weeks from seed[200 ]. The pods can be harvested over a period of several months[300 ]. Yields of 400 - 1,500 kilos per hectare of dried seed can be obtained[300 ]. A very variable plant from which a wide range of cultivars have been developed[300 ]. There are both bush and climbing forms as well as annual and perennial forms[300 ]. The climbing plants are more productive but bush forms come into bearing more quickly and are probably more suitable for cooler gardens[200 ]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200 ]. The plants are very frost tender and are even less tolerant of wet and cold than the runner bean, Phaseolus coccineus[200]. There are bush and climbing forms, the climbers are more productive but bush forms come into bearing more quickly and are probably more suitable for cooler gardens[200]. Plants mature in 12 - 16 weeks from seed in warm climates but the growing season in Britain is usually too short for the beans to mature fully and crop yields are seldom worthwhile[200].

Carbon Farming

• Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include the legume family – Fabaceae.
• Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
• Minor Global Crop  These crops are already grown or traded around the world, but on a smaller scale than the global perennial staple and industrial crops, The annual value of a minor global crop is under $1 billion US. Examples include shea, carob, Brazil nuts and fibers such as ramie and sisal.
• Staple Crop: Protein  (16+ percent protein, 0-15 percent oil). Annuals include beans, chickpeas, lentils, cowpeas, and pigeon peas. Perennials include perennial beans, nuts, leaf protein concentrates, and edible milks.