We had cluster beans as an intercrop for guava some time ago, and I wanted to share with you how I tried to collect and preserve those seeds. Cluster Beans grow upright, reaching a maximum height of up to 2–3 m. It has a main single stem with either basal branching or fine branching along the stem. Cluster Bean roots can access soil moisture in low soil depths. This legume develops root nodules with nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria rhizobium in the surface part of its rooting system. Its fine leaves have an elongated oval shape (5 to 10 cm in length) and are of alternate positions. Clusters of flowers grow in the plant and are white to blueish in color. The developing pods are rather flat and slim containing 5 to 12 small oval seeds of 5 mm in length. Usually, mature seeds are white or gray, but with excess moisture, they can turn black and lose germination capacity.
So I first plucked a lot of Cluster Beans and put them into the solar dryer to make them stiff instead of soggy. Then I dumped all of the seeds on the ground and started to roll heavy stones on them, this made the outer layer turn into small pieces. At last, I just separated the seeds and the small pieces. That’s it, now we have the seeds, but how do we store them? To store traditional seeds many farmers use ash, but I being curious wanted to try without it…
I stored it in a plastic container, this was around November 15, 2021, and today, the day I am writing this post April 7, 2022. So fr about six months the seeds look good but some white things are starting to form, and I think it is because the container isn’t letting any air in. I still recommend you keep your seeds in ash…
Collecting and preserving cluster bean seeds seems like a fascinating process. Using a solar dryer to stiffen the pods is a smart way to ensure they don’t retain moisture. Rolling heavy stones to separate the seeds from the outer layer is a traditional yet effective method. Storing seeds in ash might be a better option to prevent mold or white formations. Have you considered using breathable containers or natural desiccants for long-term storage?
Growing cluster beans as an intercrop for guava seems like a practical approach to maximize space and soil nutrients. The description of the plant’s structure and growth habits provides useful insights for those interested in cultivating it. The method of drying and processing the seeds is straightforward, though the storage issue highlights the importance of proper preservation techniques. It’s interesting to see how traditional methods like using ash might still be more effective than modern alternatives. Why do you think the plastic container caused the seeds to develop white substances over time?