Skip to main content

Botany and Planting

Cluster bean/Guar—Cyamopsis tetragonolobus, Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Edamame—Gylcine max, Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Fenugreek/Methi—Trigonella foenum-gracum, Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Hyacinth bean/Lablab bean—, Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Lima bean—Phaseolus lunatus, Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Pigeon pea—, Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Snapbean—Phaseolus vulgaris, Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Snowpea—Pisum sativum, Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Southernpea/Yard-long bean—Vigna unguiculata, Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Winged bean—Psophocarpus tetragonolobus, Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Table 1. Planting dates for legumes.

Table 2. Planting information for legumes.

Cultivars

Table 3. Commercial legume cultivars.

Asian Legumes

The Asian legume group includes fruits (usually known as pods), which are eaten at the immature stage with edible immature seeds (green shell) and some young leaves and stem tips. For instance, the winged bean has edible leaves and roots, though the latter are rarely cultivated commercially in the continental United States. Pole bean, long (or yard long) bean (both dark and light green colors), broad bean, and lablab bean are commercially grown in south Florida. All pole or indeterminate types can be grown on raised beds with or without plastic mulch using drip, overhead, or subsurface irrigation. Fenugreek does not grow well in rocky soils, such as those found in Miami-Dade County. Pigeon pea is a semi-perennial shrub in warmer areas. Many pigeon pea and winged bean varieties are short-day and only flower during the fall. Some day-neutral varieties are available for both crops. Many edamame varieties are sensitive to daytime length, so care must be taken to select varieties for one’s growing area. Japanese varieties are classified as “summer” or “fall” types, indicating when they flower. Fertilizer recommendations for pole, long, or broad beans are generally applicable to this group. All of these crops start from seed, though winged beans require scarification prior to planting. All the indeterminate types need some kind of support, ranging from individual bamboo stakes to trellises. However, some bush-type broad beans (Indian type) do not need trellises.

Table 4. Planting dates for Asian legumes.

Table 5. Planting information for Asian legumes.

Table 6. Cultivars for Asian legumes.

The following tables list registered pesticides that should be integrated with other pest management methods. Additional information on integrated management methods can be requested from UF/IFAS Extension horticulture or agriculture agents. A list of local UF/IFAS Extension offices is available at https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/.

Table 7. Herbicides approved for managing weeds in beans and peas. Labels change frequently. Be sure to read a current product label before applying any chemical. Contact: Peter J. Dittmar, UF/IFAS Department of Horticultural Sciences, Gainesville.

Table 8. Insecticides approved for managing arthropod pests of beans and peas. Labels change frequently. Be sure to read a current product label before applying any chemical. Please refer to chapter 19 for information on biopesticides, including materials labeled for certified organic production. Contact: Anna Meszaros, UF/IFAS Extension Palm Beach County.

Table 9. Bean, pea, and other legume fungicides ordered by disease and then FRAC group according to their mode of action. Labels change frequently. Be sure to read a current product label before applying any chemical. Please refer to chapter 19 for information on biopesticides, including materials labeled for certified organic production. Contact: Shouan Zhang, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center.

Table 10. Nonfumigant nematicides for legume crops in Florida.

Table 11. Fumigant nematicides for legume crops in Florida.

Publication #HS727

Commercial

Disclaimers

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.

Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.