Beans
Beans, like peas, have excellent nitrogen fixation abilities and can be sown as a nitrogen-fixing crop in an area declared as an EFA.
Beans are not suited for sowing after a main cereal crop as it is too late in the season for them to establish.
- Sowing rate: 70-90 kg/ha
- Sowing time: Sow from mid-July up until 15 September if sowing for ACRES
- Frost tolerance: Poor
- Biomass: Good if sown early in the season
- Pests & diseases: Generally not a problem
ACRES Scheme
- The following table presents the full list of prescribed catch crops permitted within the ACRES scheme.
- Within ACRES, a mixture of at least two crops from the prescribed list must be sown.
- Beans cover crops must remain in place until after 1 January.
| Brassica | Legume | Cereal | Other |
| Forage rape
4-5 kg/ha |
Crimson clover
10-15 kg/ha |
Rye
65-75 kg/ha |
Phacelia
4-5 kg/ha |
| Leafy turnip
4-6 kg/ha |
Berseem clover
10-15 kg/ha |
Oats
60-75 kg/ha |
Buckwheat
30-40 kg/ha |
| Tillage radish
4-6 kg/ha |
Vetch
15 kg/ha |
Black oats
30-40 kg/ha |
Sunflowers
10-15 kg/ha |
| Mustard
8-10 kg/ha |
Peas
40-50 kg/ha |
Linseed
15 kg/ha |
|
| Beans
70-90 kg/ha |
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| Red clover
8-10 kg/ha |
Ask an expert
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