Use the right beans variety for better yields
As the short rains approach, farmers are naturally getting ready to plant. In this Issue, we feature beans varieties suitable for the season.
Identifying the right seed
The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has put in place measures to ensure that farmers buy quality seeds. Every packet of certified seeds has a clearly visible strip, which when scratched reveals a short code underneath. Send the code as SMS to No. 1393, and await a confirmation SMS, which will give detailed information on the type of crop, company promoting the seed, date when the seed was tested and other relevant information.
Characteristics of good seeds
• Uniform variety;
• Viable (ability to germinate);
• Free from seed-borne diseases and pest damage;
• Free from foreign materials;
• Not shriveled, mouldy or cracked; and
• Not rotten or discolored.
Bean varieties
Dry beans are the second most important food crop after maize in Kenya. Beans are nutritious and contain protein, fibre, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and micronutrients. For good yields, farmers should grow varieties that are suitable for their areas and adopt good farming practices.
Bean variety for dry lands
Varieties from Kalro – Katumani
- Nyota Bean (Western Region)
Characteristics: Flowers in 30 to 40 days; matures in 60 to 70 days; high zinc grain content; fast cooking; has light pink flowers; is drought-resistant hence suitable for arid and semi-arid lands.
- Katumani Bean 1(KAT-B1)-Kathika (Arid and Semiarid Regions)
Characteristics: Has pink flowers; flowers within 30 to 31 days; matures in 60 to -65 days; yields 1400-1900 kg/ha or 7-9 bags/acre; sweet grain taste and less flatulence (accumulation of gas in the gut); highly tolerant to heat and grows well under tree/banana shades.
- Katumani Bean 9(KAT B9)-Gacuma
Characteristics: Has light pink flowers; flowers in 30 to 40 days; has a uniform flowering period; matures within 60 to 65 days; is brilliant red and gives an Irish brown color when cooked with maize; yields 1,400-1,900kg/ha or 7-9 bags/acre.
- Katumani X-56 (KAT X-56)
Characteristics: Has light pink flowers; flowers in 30 to 35 days; matures within 60 to 65 days; grains are dark red; long and oblong (irregular flat shape with one side larger than the other); yields 1,400-2,000kg/ha or 7-10 bags/acre; mature pods ready for harvest are not damaged by heavy rains.
• Cooks fast and tastes sweet
- Katumani X-69 (KAT X-69
Characteristics: Has white flowers; flowers in 30 to 35 days and matures within 60 to 65 days. The grains are long, oblong, resembling rosecoco in colour with dark redshades. Potential yields range between 1,400-2,000kg/ha or 7-10 bags/acre; susceptible to lodging due to heavy bearing and tall plants; resistant to rust (Uromyces sp.), common bean mosaic virus (CBMV), angular leaf spot and charcoal rot.
Varieties from Kenya Seed Company
- Wairimu Dwarf (North Rift Region)
Characteristics: Performs well in most ecological zones but is suited to medium to dry areas. It has excellent eating quality is good for intercropping and matures within 70 days.
- GLP 1004 Mwezi Moja (Eastern Region)
Characteristics: Matures within 80 to 90 days; large beige or light brown speckled purple. It has long broad pods; is a medium yielder and performs best in warmer areas.
The following are some of the beans varieties recommended for farmers in medium altitude areas including. western Kenya- Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Kisii; Nyanza Region- Homa Bay, Suba, Migori, Rongo, Siaya, and Bondo;
South Rift- Tinderet, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Narok, Sotik, and Trans-Mara.
Central Province – Murang’a, Kiambu, and Kirinyaga and Eastern Province – Embu, Meru, Machakos, Kitui, and Mwingi.
Varieties from Kenya Seed Company
- Mwitemania
Characteristics: Cream seeds with black-brown spots; have a spreading growth habit; nearly flat pods, which contain oval seeds and are tolerant to drought and halo blight (a bacterial disease affecting beans).
East African Seed Company
- Angaza
Characteristics: Has light-pink flowers and flowers within 40 to 42 days; matures after 80 to 84 days; tolerant to blight, mosaic virus, and angular leaf spot.
- Faida
Characteristics: Flowers within 45 to 46 days; matures in 84 to 85 days; seeds are large and kidney-shaped; have a white/greenish pericarp, which changes to red mottled with age.
Western Seed Company
- Rose KOKO
Characteristics: Has deep-pink colour; skin is flecked with beige and brown; is tolerant to root rot disease.
This list is not all-inclusive. For more information, visit and inquire from seed companies and research institutions like Kalro (https://www.kalro.org/. Farmers can also contact the Kenya Seed Company through telephone 0726 141 856 or http://www.kenyaseed.com/; the East African Seed Company on phone 020 6652101 , http://www.easeed.com/; or the Western Seed Company on telephone number 020891868, https://westernseedcompany.com/.