Correct management guarantees the quality of the beans

Beans are a typically Brazilian food. Its grain is used as a base for various dishes such as soups and feijoadas, in addition to the traditional combination with rice. And so that this grain that is present on the Brazilian table presents a good quality standard, agricultural research recommends that producers adopt the use of good cultural practices. Because, during the bean harvest season, which runs from January to March, it is necessary to guarantee the quality of this grain at all stages of the production process, from planting to storage.

Suitable planting area 

Researcher Irajá Antunes explains that as beans are a very sensitive plant and not so resistant to adverse factors, such as climate and management, it is important that the farmer pays attention to the cultivation of beans. Firstly, for spring crops, where the main varieties produced in Rio Grande do Sul are sown (August-September), the producer must choose the appropriate area for planting. This location must be protected and contain the ideal amount of water for the plant's development, as factors such as the possible occurrence of cold fronts can affect production. The cultivation of other species such as corn, for example, can also serve as a natural barrier against climatic factors.

Another determining factor for the cultivation of beans are areas of waterlogged soil, which should be avoided, because when this condition is found, the beans often do not develop sufficiently. Consequently, the ideal is to plant the beans in an area with good drainage conditions, so that the plant can thrive without adversity. However, like all species, beans need water, especially during flowering and grain filling. The ideal way to meet the needs of the beans is that, for a cycle of 2 to 4 months, there should be at least 10mm of water per month.

Competition between species 

In principle, there cannot be competition between the bean plant and other species until the first 30 days of planting the bean, when the pod begins to close, as competing plants can impede the development of the bean. However, researcher Irajá Antunes explains that this factor depends on the type of exploitation that the farmer carries out and says that when production is carried out for his own cultivation, the producer can follow agroecological principles (a principle that promotes the association between different species), and then , the beans would not need to be cleaned as necessary when the crop is intended for industrial production.

Harvest and storage 

It is important that the producer is aware and harvests when the pod color changes process, as it is not recommended that the beans remain in the field for a long time with the pods dry. Because, when this happens, the beans can lose their germination power and nutritional qualities, in addition to becoming more susceptible to the appearance of bean weevil, a pest that comes from the field. Therefore, if the beans are harvested early, the risk of this pest occurring and loss of quality is reduced.

During storage, according to Antunes, an important aspect that the producer must take into consideration is that the grain must be stored in a way to prevent air from entering. The researcher's tip for farmers who plant for their own cultivation is to store their seeds in drums or PET bottles, which must be sealed so that no air can enter in order to preserve the grain and also prevent weevils from developing. . 

Another factor that guarantees the quality of the grain is the choice of the cultivation variety, the producer must try to use a variety that is adapted to the area and region in which he plants. This choice can be made through tests, to carry them out, the producer can seek help from Embrapa, which together with the partner Emater/RS-Ascar helps in carrying out these tests. “Depending on the region, if there is a group of farmers interested in testing new varieties, researchers are available to carry out tests together with the farmers”, says Antunes. All these tips show that from cultivation to harvesting and storage, all stages of the production process are fundamental and guarantee the quality of this grain, which is part of the national culture.