Chapter 11. Legume Production
Peter J. Dittmar, Eugene J. McAvoy, Dakshina R. Seal, Shouan Zhang, Josh H. Freeman, and Qingren Wang
Botany and Planting
Cluster bean / Guar - Cyamopsis tetragonolobus
Edamame - Gylcine max
Fenugreek / Methi - Trigonella foenum-gracum
Hyacinth bean, lablab bean - Lablab purpureus
Lima bean - Phaseolus lunatus
Pigeon pea - Cajanus cajan
Snapbean - Phaseolus vulgaris, Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Southernpea / Yard-long bean - Vigna unguiculata.
Snowpea - Pisum sativum
Winged bean - Psophocarpus tetragonolobus
Table 11.1. Planting information for legumes.
Planting dates Snapbean bush Snapbean pole Lima bean bush Lima bean pole Southern pea Snowpea
North Florida Mar - Apr;
Aug - Sept
Mar - Apr;
Aug - Sept
Mar - Apr; Aug Mar - Apr; Aug Mar - July Jan - Mar
Central Florida Feb - Apr;
Aug - Sept
Feb - Apr;
Aug - Sept
Feb - Mar;
Aug - Sept
Feb - Mar;
Aug - Sept
Feb - Aug Nov - Feb
South Florida Sept - Apr Sept - Apr Sept - Apr Sept - Apr Sept - Apr Nov - Feb
Planting information
Distance between rows (in) 18 - 40 36 – 48 18 - 36 36 – 48 20 - 42 36, 2-row beds
Number of rows/bed 1 – 2
Distance between rows/bed 10 - 12
Distance between plants (in) 2 - 4 3 - 5 3 - 6 8 - 12 2 - 6 2 - 6
Seeding depth (in) 1 - 1.5 1 - 1.5 1 - 1.5 1 - 1.5 1 - 1.5 1 - 1.5
Seed per acre (lb) 45 - 80 30 - 45 40 - 60 20 - 40 15 - 30 25 - 50
Days to maturity from seed 45 - 60 50 - 70 60 - 80 80 - 100 75 - 90 60 - 80
Plant populations 52,272 - 172,240 58,000 116,160 21,780 104,544 87,120
Cultivars
Table 11.2. Commercial legume cultivars.
Green Bush Yellow Bush Green Pole Lima
Achiever Inspiration Sybaris (BA 1007) Carson Dade Bridgeton
Ambition Momentum Thoroughbred Gold Mine Macaslan Cypress
BA 0958 Opportune Valentino Golden Rod Fordhook 242
Caprice 3230 Vision Gold Rush Jackson Wonder
Southern pea Snowpea
CA Blackeye No.5 Knuckle Purplehull Texas Cream 40 Oregon Sugarpod II
Cream 8 Magnolia White Acre
Cream 12 Pinkeye Purplehull Zipper Cream