EXCLUSIVE
Organic Mungbean Seeds (Vigna Radiata)
1.14 €
While there are several cool season legumes grown as field crops in the U.S. (such as chickpeas, lentils, lupines, and faba beans), there are relatively few alternative legumes that are heat and drought tolerant.
-
Organic Mungbean / Vigna Radiata
While there are several cool season legumes grown as field crops in the U.S. (such as chickpeas, lentils, lupines, and faba beans), there are relatively few alternative legumes that are heat and drought tolerant.
The two legume grains (pulses) grown in the U.S. that fit into this category are both members of the same genus (Vigna) – mungbeans and cowpeas. Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] seeds range from green to brown (some tropical varieties are yellow), and are about half the diameter of a soybean seed.
Mungbean plants look more like a garden bean than a soybean plant, being about 24 to 30 inches tall, and having a moderate number or branches with smaller leaves than soybeans. Pods are 3 to 4 inches long, each having 10 to 15 seeds. There are several pods clustered at a leaf axil, with typically 30 to 40 pods per plant. The pods turn darker in color as they mature.
Planted in early June, the crop will begin to flower in 50 to 60 days, and then continue flowering for a few weeks. The crop is usually ready to be harvested in early to mid-September. Leaves will dry down but may not drop off completely.
Mungbean is fairly well adapted to sandy loam soils and dry conditions, which gives it a competitive advantage in places like Oklahoma. In Missouri, its most competitive niche is on droughty soils. It has good potential for double cropping after wheat or canola in the southern part of the state.