Irrigated Winter Beans - Production Calendar - Seed Co Malawi | Field Crops

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Variety: NUA 45 \| Maturity: 70–90 days \| Yield: 20 bags (1 ton)/acre

WEEK	CROP STAGE	KEY ACTIONS	NOTES / FOCUS
–1	Pre-Planting Preparation	• Select well-drained, loamy soil (beans are sensitive to waterlogging) • Conduct soil test; correct pH to 6.0–7.0 • Plough, harrow and create fine tilth seedbed • Apply DAP basal fertilizer at 50 kg/acre in furrow • Inoculate seed with rhizobium inoculant to fix atmospheric nitrogen	Beans fix nitrogen — reducing fertilizer cost. Inoculant is highly recommended.
0	Planting (Day 1)	• Seed rate: 40 kg/acre for NUA 45 • Row spacing: 45–50 cm; plant-to-plant: 10 cm (2–3 seeds/station) • Plant depth: 3–5 cm into moist soil • First irrigation: 20 mm immediately after planting • Optimal planting: May–June (Malawi winter)	*Plant into moist soil for rapid and uniform germination.*
1	Germination & Emergence	• Beans emerge in 5–7 days • Check stand uniformity at day 7 — target 90%+ emergence • Apply pre-emergent herbicide (pendimethalin) within 3 days of planting • Irrigation: 15–20 mm every 5–7 days • Scout for cutworms, bean fly, and thrips from day 5	Bean fly is a major early-season threat. Monitor closely.
2–3	Vegetative Growth (V-stage)	• Apply post-emergent herbicide at day 14–21 (for broadleaf weeds) • First insecticide application if bean fly or thrips are above threshold • Irrigation: 20 mm every 5–7 days • Scout for angular leaf spot and bean common mosaic virus • Remove and destroy virus-infected plants immediately	Keep field weed-free — beans compete poorly with weeds early on.
4–5	Flowering (R1–R2)	• Irrigation: increase to 20–25 mm every 5 days • DO NOT apply nitrogen top-dressing — rhizobia supply N • Scout for bean pod borer and aphids during flowering • Apply foliar micronutrients (B, Mo, Zn) to support pod set • Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides during peak flower (protect pollinators)	*⚠ Water stress during flowering causes flower & pod drop. Irrigate consistently.*
6–8	Pod Fill & Development (R3–R5)	• Irrigation: 20–25 mm every 5–6 days — do not stress during pod fill • Scout for bean pod borer, aphids, and white flies • Apply fungicide for angular leaf spot and anthracnose if disease pressure high • Monitor for pod shattering in hot, dry conditions	Protect pods from insects and disease for maximum yield.
9–12	Maturity & Harvest (R7–R8)	• Beans mature in 70–90 days (NUA 45) • Signs of maturity: pods turn yellow/brown; seeds rattle inside • Stop irrigation 10–14 days before harvest to allow dry-down • Harvest before pods shatter — pull whole plants or harvest pods • Dry beans to <14% moisture before storage • Fumigate storage with phosphine tabs if storing > 1 month	*Harvest on time — delayed harvest leads to shattering and quality losses.*

Seed Co Malawi Bean Variety: NUA 45 — Matures in 70–90 days \| Yield potential: 20 bags (1 ton)/acre \| Seed rate: 40 kg/acre. NUA 45 is an excellent crop diversification option for the winter window. Contact a Seed Co agronomist for specific advice. Toll Free: 2027.