Gadra sugar bean is developed as an early harvest sugar bean. It is particularly well adapted to the Lowveld and Kwa Zulu Natal bean production areas. It also performs well in the late planting slot in all areas when other varieties of beans will not make it through.
The bean also does well in the niche gadra market where it’s early maturity and large pods are sought after. Control of weeds, insects and disease is made easier as there will be little damage from tractor wheels while applying chemicals.
| Characteristic | Gadra |
|---|---|
| Seed type | Sugar beans |
| Maturity | 85 – 95 days |
| Adaptation | KZN and Lowveld (late plantings elsewhere) |
| Yield potential | High |
| Growth Habit | Upright bush, with pods off the ground |
| Lodging | Resistant to lodging |
| Shattering | Resistant to shattering |
| Harvesting | Easy to harvest |
| Seed quality | Large % first grade |
| Seed size | Around 55 g per 100 seed |
| Seed rate | Approximately 75-80 kg per ha |
| Pod appearance | Large pod with red markings when mature |
| Fungal diseases | Good resistance to rust and angular leaf spot |
| Viral resistance | Resistant to bean common mosaic virus |
