Cultivation of Mungbean

Mungbean, commonly known as green gram, is a significant pulse crop in India and other tropical regions. It is highly valued for its nutritional benefits and ability to improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. Below is a detailed guide on mungbean cultivation:

Common Names:

• English: Green gram, Mung bean
• Hindi: मूंग (Moong)
• Tamil: Pachai Payiru
• Telugu: Pesara Pappu

Botanical Classification:

• Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)
• Genus: Vigna
• Species: radiata
• Chromosome Number: 2n = 22

Origin and Distribution:

• Origin: India and Central Asia
• Global Cultivation: India, China, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.
• India: Major producing states include Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.

Nutritional Value (per 100 grams):

• Energy: ~347 kcal
• Protein: 24 grams
• Carbohydrates: 62 grams
• Fat: 1.2 grams
• Fiber: 16 grams
• Minerals: Rich in iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium.
• Vitamins: Contains Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, and Vitamin C.

Climatic Requirements

• Temperature: Mungbean thrives best in temperatures ranging from 25–35°C. Extreme heat or cold can adversely affect growth.
• Rainfall: Requires 50–75 cm of evenly distributed rainfall during the growing season. Excessive rain may lead to fungal diseases.
• Light: Bright, sunny days promote better flowering and pod development.
• Drought Tolerance: Highly drought-resistant, making it suitable for semi-arid regions.

Soil Requirements

• Soil Type:
  • Well-drained loamy or sandy loam soils are ideal.
  • Can tolerate poor soils but performs better in fertile conditions.
• pH: Best results in soils with a pH of 6.5–7.5.
• Salinity: Sensitive to saline and alkaline conditions; yields may reduce significantly.

Varieties of Mungbean

Short Duration (60–70 days)

• Samrat: High-yielding and resistant to yellow mosaic virus (YMV).
• Pusa Vishal: Early maturing and drought-tolerant.
• CO-4: Recommended for rainfed cultivation.

Medium Duration (75–85 days)

• SML 668: High-yielding, resistant to YMV and powdery mildew.
• Pusa 9531: Performs well in irrigated areas.

Long Duration (>90 days)

• Pant Mung-5: Suitable for summer and kharif seasons.
• IPM 2-3: Resistant to diseases and pests.

Field Preparation

• Land Preparation:
  • Plow the field 2–3 times to achieve a fine tilth.
  • Remove weeds, stones, and residues for uniform sowing.
  • Apply well-decomposed organic manure (10–12 tons/ha) during the final plowing.
• Land Leveling: Proper leveling helps in uniform water distribution and drainage.

Sowing Practices

• Seed Rate:
  • For pure cropping: 15–20 kg/ha.
  • For intercropping: 8–10 kg/ha.
• Seed Treatment:
  • Treat seeds with Rhizobium culture and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) to enhance nitrogen fixation and phosphorus uptake.
  • Fungicide treatment: Use Carbendazim (2 g/kg seed) to prevent fungal diseases.
• Spacing:
  • Row spacing: 30–45 cm.
  • Plant-to-plant spacing: 10–15 cm.
• Sowing Depth: Seeds should be sown 3–5 cm deep.
• Sowing Time:
  • Kharif: Late June to July (onset of monsoon).
  • Rabi: November to early December (irrigated).
  • Summer: Late February to March (after wheat or potato).

Nutrient Management

• Basal Fertilizer Application:
  • Nitrogen (N): 15–20 kg/ha as a starter dose.
  • Phosphorus (P₂O₅): 40–50 kg/ha for better root and flower development.
  • Potassium (K₂O): 20–25 kg/ha if the soil is deficient.
  • Micronutrients: Apply zinc (Zn) and sulphur (S) if deficiencies are noticed.
• Top Dressing: Generally not required, as mungbean fixes nitrogen through Rhizobium bacteria.

Water Management

• Irrigation:
  • Irrigate 2–3 times during critical growth stages:
    • Germination.
    • Pre-flowering.
    • Pod formation.
  • Avoid waterlogging, which can cause root rot and other diseases.
• Rainfed Conditions: Use mulching to conserve soil moisture.

Weed Management

• Critical Period: First 20–30 days after sowing.
• Manual Weeding: Perform 1–2 hand weedings or hoeing to control weeds.
• Chemical Weeding:
  • Pre-emergence herbicide: Pendimethalin (1 kg a.i./ha) immediately after sowing.

Cropping Systems

• Sole Crop: Mungbean grown independently.
• Intercropping: Often intercropped with maize, sorghum, pearl millet, or pigeonpea.
• Mixed Cropping: Grown with cereals or oilseeds.
• Sequential Cropping: Cultivated after wheat, potato, or mustard.

Pests and Diseases

Major Pests:

1. Pod Borer (Helicoverpa armigera):
   • Symptoms: Holes in pods, damaged seeds.
   • Management: Spray Neem Oil (3%) or Spinosad (0.5 ml/L).
2. Whitefly:
   • Symptoms: Yellowing of leaves and transmission of YMV.
   • Management: Spray Imidacloprid (0.3 ml/L).

Major Diseases:

1. Yellow Mosaic Virus (YMV):
   • Symptoms: Yellow patches on leaves; reduced pod formation.
   • Management:
     • Grow resistant varieties (e.g., SML 668, Pusa Vishal).
     • Control whitefly vectors using Thiamethoxam (0.25 g/L).
2. Powdery Mildew:
   • Symptoms: White powdery growth on leaves and pods.
   • Management: Spray Sulphur (2 g/L) or Carbendazim (1 g/L).

Harvesting and Post-Harvest Management

• Harvesting:
  • Harvest when pods turn yellow-brown and seeds harden.
  • Avoid delays to minimize shattering losses.
• Threshing: Use mechanical threshers or manual methods like beating pods with sticks.
• Storage:
  • Dry seeds to 8–10% moisture before storage.
  • Use airtight containers or bags treated with neem leaves or fumigants to prevent pests.

Yield

• Rainfed Conditions: 6–8 quintals/ha.
• Irrigated Conditions: 10–12 quintals/ha.

Economic Importance

• Nutritional Value:
  • Rich in protein (20–25%), carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
  • A crucial source of dietary protein in vegetarian diets.
• Soil Fertility: Fixes atmospheric nitrogen, improving soil health.
• Livelihood: Offers good market value and export potential.