Seed yield and quality of sword bean (Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC.) produced in Poland

Abstract

Sword bean (Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC.) also called Jack bean or beach bean, originates from India and China. The crop has been completely unknown in Poland and other Central European countries. Two Chinese cultivars: early and late ones, were produced in Western Poland. During the vegetation period, additional watering, staking and chemical control against aphids and bean weevils were applied. In the field, plant emergence rates, blooming period, number of seeds per pod and total seed yield were evaluated. In the laboratory, 1000 seed weight, seed germination, vigour and water absorbing capacity were evaluated. Both cultivars had good emergence rates in the field - over 60%. Only the early cultivar produced germinating seeds when grown in Poland, whereas the late one produced soft and immature seeds of the size of the wheat grain. On average, one pod had 7.3 seeds. The early cultivar gave good seed yield - 2,067.00 kg ha-1. The germination capacity of the produced seeds was over 90%. The mean germination time was shorter at 25 °C than at 15 °C. Water absorption capacity curves, although different for the 1 hour time point, were basically the same for both Chinese and Polish seeds. The total proteins content for both cultivars was almost 25%. In the climatic conditions of Western Poland in the field, it was possible to produce high amounts of seeds with high germination capacity of the early sword bean cultivar.