Rajmash (Kidney Bean / Common Bean) (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Importance
- One of the most important pulse crops of temperate regions and hills of India.
- Rich in protein (22–24%), carbohydrate, minerals, and vitamins.
- Consumed as dal, boiled seeds, sprouts, and green pods.
- Acts as a short-duration legume in hill farming systems.
- Very popular in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, NEH region.
Origin
- Central & South America (Mexico–Peru region).
- Introduced to India by Portuguese.
Nutritional Value
- Protein: 22–24%
- Carbohydrates: 55–60%
- Fat: 1.3%
- Rich in lysine, Ca, P, Fe.
- Contains toxic factors (phytohaemagglutinin, cyanogenic glycosides, protease inhibitors) → destroyed by cooking.
Area & Production (India)
- Area: ~0.3–0.4 million ha.
- Production: ~0.2–0.3 million tonnes.
- Major States: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, NEH states, Maharashtra, Karnataka.
Botanical Description
- Family: Leguminosae (Papilionaceae)
- Chromosome no.: 2n = 22
- Pollination: Self-pollinated
- Growth habit: Erect, semi-erect, bushy, trailing types.
- Root: Shallow tap root system, poor nodulation (less efficient N-fixation compared to other pulses).
- Pods: 8–15 cm long, 4–6 seeds, various colors (red, white, mottled, brown).
Climatic Requirement
- Grown in cool-temperate climates.
- Optimum temperature: 18–24°C (sensitive to >30°C and frost).
- Requires bright sunshine during flowering and pod filling.
- Not suitable for hot & humid tropics (except in hills).
Agronomic Practices
|
Aspect |
Details |
|
Season |
Kharif (June–July in hills), Rabi (Oct–Nov in NEH, South India) |
|
Seed Rate |
80–100 kg/ha |
|
Spacing |
30 × 10 cm (bush) |
|
Depth |
3–5 cm |
|
Fertilizer |
20–25 kg N + 50–60 kg P₂O₅ + 20–25 kg K₂O /ha |
|
Irrigation |
Critical stages: flowering & pod filling |
|
Duration |
90–120 days (bush types early, pole types longer) |
|
Yield |
Grain: 10–15 q/ha (rainfed) |
Cropping Systems
- Intercropping: Rajmash + Maize (traditional in hills).
- Rotation: Maize–Rajmash, Potato–Rajmash, Rice–Rajmash.
Weed Management
- Critical period: 20–40 DAS.
- Pendimethalin (1.0 kg a.i./ha) + 1 hand weeding effective.
Improved Varieties (India)
- Bush type: PDR-14, PDR-31, Pant Rajmash-5, Pant Rajmash-12.
- Pole type: PDR-14-2, VL Rajmash-125.
- Others: Shalimar Rajmash-1 (J&K), HUR-15, Arun.
Key Points
- Origin: Mexico–Peru region (Central America).
- Chromosome number: 2n = 22.
- Pollination: Self-pollinated.
- Duration: 90–120 days.
- Poor nodulator → requires higher N than other pulses.
- Critical irrigation: Flowering & Pod filling.
- Toxic factors: Phytohaemagglutinin, cyanogenic glycosides (destroyed by boiling).
- Major disease: Anthracnose.
- Average protein content: 22–24%.
- Rajmash is a niche but nutritionally rich pulse, grown mostly in hilly regions of India, highly valued as both dal and whole-seed dish (“Rajma”).
