Dainagon was released in 1997 to cater for the very limited market in Japan for adzuki beans with larger seeds. However, wider row spacing with inter-row cultivation has produced good results, particularly in Queensland. The optimum sowing time in NSW and southern Queensland is from mid November to mid December. In coastal NSW, sowing in January will often result in better quality grain than from earlier sowing times, although yields may be lower. In Central Queensland, February sowings are preferred to avoid the heat of midsummer.
Irrigation management is critical to success with adzuki beans in inland irrigation areas.
Even one short stress period can result in uneven ripening and reduced yields, and in fall in grain quality. Irrigation intervals need to be short, as little as 5 days, which places increased time demands on the grower. Low tolerance to waterlogging means adzuki beans should be grown only on better drained soils. Adzuki beans are slow growing in the first few weeks and can be swamped by faster growing weeds if these are not controlled. Herbicides to control most broadleaf and grass weeds are readily available.