RED bean (Vigna unguiculata) is a crop produced by both small and large scales farmers across Guyana, especially in Region Four. The red bean belongs to the leguminosae family. It is high in protein and easily digested. It is regarded as an important food worldwide and is one of the main protein sources for vegetarians.

Agriculturally, red bean has the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. This feature either eliminates or reduces the amount of added nitrogen required in crop cultivation. As such, it has been identified as a crop suitable for crop rotation system.

Given its importance locally, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has been conducting studies aimed at increasing the yield of the crop to improve farmers’ livelihoods. Common to the trials is the use of Inoculum with rhizobium bacteria, which stimulates nodulation of roots. Hence, causing the plants to provide its own nitrogen and consequently reducing the need for the application of large quantities of nitrogen fertiliser.

Last year, the institute partnered with farmer Frederick Dundas of Pakuri, formerly known as St. Cuthbert’s Mission, to conduct a study to investigate the effect of different fertilisation regimen on the crop. This was done using a demonstration plot on the farmer’s homestead. The project was monitored by NAREI’s Extension Officer, Alicia Hendericks.

According to Hendericks, “The project included three plots: control, fertiliser and inoculum+ fertiliser…within the period under investigation data was obtained from all three trial plots….A total of three harvests were done to have a complete analysis, which required the total weight, length of pods and average weights were collected…An analysis was then done per harvest and a comparison was then realised at the end of the experiment showing the difference in pod sizes and weights calculated.”