Cultivation of Pigeonpea

Introduction

Pigeonpea, also known as red gram, tur, or arhar, is a major grain legume crop of the tropics and subtropics. It is valued for its high protein content (~21%) and serves as a key ingredient in Indian cuisine. The crop is also a significant source of fodder and green manure, and it improves soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen.

Common Names:

• English: Pigeonpea, Red Gram
• Hindi: अरहर (Arhar), तुअर (Toor)
• Tamil: Thuvaram Paruppu
• Telugu: Kandulu

Botanical Classification:

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

Origin and Distribution:

• Origin: India and Africa
• Global Cultivation: Grown in India, East Africa, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia.
• India: Major producing states include Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana.

Nutritional Value (per 100 grams of seeds):

• Energy: ~335 kcal
• Protein: 22 grams
• Carbohydrates: 62 grams
• Fat: 1.5 grams
• Fiber: 15 grams
• Minerals: Rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
• Vitamins: Contains Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, and Vitamin C.

Importance and Uses:

• Nutritional Benefits:
  • A major source of protein for vegetarians.
  • Rich in essential amino acids like lysine and methionine.
• Culinary Uses:
  • Cooked as dal (split seeds), sambar, soups, and stews.
  • Green seeds are consumed as a vegetable.
• Economic Value:
  • High market demand as a staple food in India.
  • Exported to countries like the UAE, UK, and the USA.

b) Climate Requirements

Temperature:

• • Optimal growth temperature: 18–27°C.
  • Germination requires a temperature range of 25–35°C.
  • Sensitive to frost and temperatures below 10°C during flowering.

Rainfall:

• • Requires 600–1000 mm of rainfall.
  • Critical stages: Moisture is crucial during germination, flowering, and pod filling.
  • Excessive rain during flowering or pod formation can lead to flower shedding and reduced yields.

Sunlight: Pigeonpea is a short-day plant; flowering is induced by day lengths of 10–11 hours.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

• • Thrives in well-drained loamy soils.
  • Can tolerate light soils but performs better in medium to heavy soils with good moisture retention.

pH Range: Ideal pH: 6.5–7.5. Tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils (pH 5.0–8.5).

Soil Fertility: Requires soils with moderate organic matter content. Does not perform well in waterlogged or saline soils.

Varities

Based on Maturity Period

Short-Duration Varieties (100–150 days)

• Suitable for areas with limited rainfall or where early harvesting is needed to avoid terminal drought.
• Popular varieties:
  • ICPL 87: Drought-tolerant and suitable for rainfed conditions.
  • UPAS 120: High-yielding and widely grown in semi-arid regions.
  • ICPL 151: Tolerant to pests and diseases.
  • TAT 10: Early maturing and suited for intercropping.

Medium-Duration Varieties (150–180 days)

• Adapted to areas with moderate rainfall and prolonged growing periods.
• Popular varieties:
  • BSMR 853: High-yielding with good pest resistance.
  • Asha (ICPL 87119): Resistant to wilt and sterility mosaic virus.
  • C-11: Widely grown for its adaptability.
  • Pusa 9: Tolerant to waterlogging.

Long-Duration Varieties (180–300 days)

• Suited for regions with assured rainfall or irrigation facilities.
• Popular varieties:
  • Bahar: Widely cultivated in northern India, resistant to fusarium wilt.
  • ICP 7035: High-yielding with tolerance to waterlogging.
  • ICP 8863: Resistant to fusarium wilt and pod borer.

 Hybrid Varieties

Hybrid pigeonpea varieties offer high yields and better resistance to diseases and pests:

• ICPH 2671: The world’s first commercial hybrid, with high yield potential and resistance to fusarium wilt.
• ICPH 2740: Performs well under rainfed conditions.
• ICPH 3762: High-yielding and drought-tolerant.

Disease-Resistant Varieties

• Maruti (ICP 8863): Resistant to fusarium wilt and sterility mosaic virus.
• Pusa 2001: Resistant to pod fly and sterility mosaic virus.
• BSMR 736: Tolerant to fusarium wilt and pod borer.

Varieties for Special Regions: Paras: Suited for saline soils.

Land Preparation

1. Primary Tillage: Deep plowing (25–30 cm) to break the hardpan and improve root penetration.
2. Secondary Tillage: Harrowing or cultivating to achieve a fine tilth.
3. Layout: Ridge and furrow or broad bed-and-furrow systems are recommended to ensure proper drainage.
4. Soil Amendments: Incorporate 10–12 tonnes/ha of farmyard manure (FYM) before final plowing. Apply gypsum or lime in acidic soils to improve fertility.

f) Sowing Practices

Time of Sowing:

• • Rainfed Areas: With the onset of monsoon (June–July).
  • Irrigated Areas: Can also be sown during the Rabi season.

Seed Rate and Spacing:

• • Seed Rate:
    • Short-duration: 12–15 kg/ha.
    • Medium-duration: 10–12 kg/ha.
    • Long-duration: 8–10 kg/ha.

1. • Spacing:
     • Short-duration: 45 × 20 cm.
     • Medium-duration: 60 × 30 cm.
     • Long-duration: 90 × 30 cm

Sowing Depth: 4–6 cm; ensure uniform depth for better germination.

Seed Treatment:

• • Rhizobium Culture: Treat seeds with Rhizobium and PSB (Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria) for better nitrogen fixation.
  • Fungicide Treatment: Use Thiram or Carbendazim at 2 g/kg of seed to protect against seed-borne diseases.

Nutrient Management

Fertilizer Application:

• • Rainfed Conditions: 12.5:25:0 kg N:P:K/ha.
  • Irrigated Conditions: 25:50:0 kg N:P:K/ha.
  • Apply phosphorus as basal dose for root development.

Micronutrients: Sulphur: 20 kg/ha (e.g., gypsum). Zinc: 5–10 kg/ha as zinc sulfate if deficient.

Biofertilizers: Rhizobium and PSB cultures enhance nitrogen fixation and phosphorus solubilization.

Water Management

1. Irrigation Requirements:
   • Critical Stages:
     • Flowering.
     • Pod setting.
     • Grain filling.
   • Avoid water stagnation, which can lead to root rot.
2. Number of Irrigations: 2–3 irrigations in addition to rainfall ensure better yields.
3. Rainfed Areas: Mulching can help retain soil moisture during dry spells.

Weed Management

Critical Period: 30–60 days after sowing.

Control Methods:

• • Manual Weeding: Hand hoeing at 30 and 60 DAS.
  • Chemical Weeding: Pre-emergence application of Pendimethalin (1 kg a.i./ha) or Fluchloralin (0.75 kg a.i./ha).
  • Intercropping reduces weed growth.

Cropping Systems

1. Intercropping: Pigeonpea + Sorghum. Pigeonpea + Groundnut.
2. Sequential Cropping: Pigeonpea → Wheat → Greengram.
3. Mixed Cropping: Pigeonpea with millets or sesame for better resource utilization.

Pest and Disease Management

Major Pests:

• • Pod Borer (Helicoverpa armigera): Use Neem oil (2%) or spray Spinosad.
  • Aphids and Whiteflies: Apply Imidacloprid (0.5 ml/L).

Diseases:

• • Wilt (Fusarium spp.): Use resistant varieties and crop rotation.
  • Sterility Mosaic Virus (SMV): Control vector mites using insecticides.

Harvesting and Post-Harvest Management

1. Harvesting Time: When 75–80% of the pods turn brown. Delay in harvesting can lead to pod shattering.
2. Threshing: By beating the plants with sticks or using threshers.

Yield: Grain yield: 800–1200 kg/ha under normal conditions. Stover yield: 1500–2000 kg/ha.

Storage: Dry grains to 10–12% moisture content before storage. Use neem leaves or fumigation for insect control.