Seed production standards require that any factor that can affect the quality of the seed produced should be avoided as much as possible. The importance of bean leaves on the plant and the product (seed) is known as the leaves play an important role in photosynthesis. If it was allowed to used the bean leaves as relish, there would be no limit as to how many leaves a farmer would pluck. To be safe, it is recommended not to pluck the leaves at all.
Benjamin Chisama
April 27, 2017 - 16:02
For all the classes of seeds being Breeder, Pre-Basic, Basic, Certified and Quality Declared, growers are not allowed to pluck off some bean leaves (Khwanya). As Pual responded ealier on, leaves are there to manufacture food for the entire plant and also respire during the night. Therefore, you are not allowed to introduce unnecessary stress to beans plants for seed production. The wounds left will be the entry points of micro-organisms that may cause diseases in your field. Diseased fields are normally rejected by Seed Inspectors.
I would advise you to have a speacial field for plucking bean leaves (Khwanya) as per your household requirements. Check with Seed Services Unit at Bvumbwe, Chitedze, Lunyangwa and Lifuwu on other starndards for quality bean seeds.
Answers
Seed production standards require that any factor that can affect the quality of the seed produced should be avoided as much as possible. The importance of bean leaves on the plant and the product (seed) is known as the leaves play an important role in photosynthesis. If it was allowed to used the bean leaves as relish, there would be no limit as to how many leaves a farmer would pluck. To be safe, it is recommended not to pluck the leaves at all.
For all the classes of seeds being Breeder, Pre-Basic, Basic, Certified and Quality Declared, growers are not allowed to pluck off some bean leaves (Khwanya). As Pual responded ealier on, leaves are there to manufacture food for the entire plant and also respire during the night. Therefore, you are not allowed to introduce unnecessary stress to beans plants for seed production. The wounds left will be the entry points of micro-organisms that may cause diseases in your field. Diseased fields are normally rejected by Seed Inspectors.
I would advise you to have a speacial field for plucking bean leaves (Khwanya) as per your household requirements. Check with Seed Services Unit at Bvumbwe, Chitedze, Lunyangwa and Lifuwu on other starndards for quality bean seeds.