Sugar Beans

Dry beans is at present regarded as one of the most important field crops in Southern Africa on account of its high protein content and dietary benefits.

Of all the annual leguminous food crops that are harvested for dry seeds, the ordinary bean is by far the most important. Dry beans (Phaseolus spp.) originated in Central and South America. Within the genus Phaseolus there are three species which are agronomically important in Southern Africa.

Phaseolus vulgaris Many different types and colours, the most important of which are:
- small white, red speckled or sugar beans, carioca and green beans
- Phaseolus acutifolius Tepary beans
- Phaseolus coccineus Large white kidney beans

Within each species there are many seed types which differ in size, shape and colour. Within each type there are different cultivars and the seeds of these cultivars differ very little from one another. However, considerable differences may occur in adaptability, growth habit, disease resistance and many other characteristics. In this publication, only P. vulgaris is discussed, except where mentioned otherwise.