Cultivation of Pigeonpea (Arhar/Red Gram/Tur)
Scientific Name: Cajanus cajan
Family: Papilionaceae
Origin: South Africa
Chromosome Number: 2n = 22
Pollination: Often cross-pollinated
Protein Content: 25%
Key Features
- Growth Habit: Deep-rooted, C3, short-day plant.
- Mini Fertilizer Crop: Fixes atmospheric nitrogen.
- Flowering & Pod Setting: Produces many flowers, but only 10% set pods.
- Seedcoat Dormancy: Requires thermal energy to break seed coat.
- Harvest Index: 19% (lowest among pulses).
- Importance in India: Second most important pulse after gram.
Global and National Status
Global Leader in Area & Production: Area and Production: India > Myanmar. India’s Share: 90% area, 85% production worldwide.
Production (India): Maharashtra (30%). Karnataka
Productivity (India): Bihar. Uttar Pradesh
Classification of Pigeonpea
- Cajanus cajan var. bicolor (Late Maturing):
- Perennial, tall, much-branched.
- Late maturity, 4-5 grains/pod.
- Grown in North India.
- Cajanus cajan var. flavus (Early Maturing):
- Annual, short plant.
- Early maturity, 2-3 grains/pod.
- Grown in South India.
Germination Type: Hypogeal germination.
Varieties of Pigeonpea
- i) Short Duration Varieties (110-125 days):
- Prabhat
- UPAS-120 (earliest variety)
- ICPH-8: First hybrid (developed at ICRISAT, Hyderabad, 1991)
- Pragati, ICPL151, ICPL87
- ii) Medium Duration Varieties (150-180 days):
- BDN1, BDN2, C-11
- Mukta (wilt resistant), Sharda, Paras
iii) Long Duration Varieties (180-300 days):
- PUSA-9, Laxmi, Bahar
Soil Requirements
- Type: Light-textured, well-drained soil.
- pH Range: 5-8 (sensitive to saline soils >8 pH).
Agronomic Practices
Seed Rate:
- Early varieties: 15-18 kg/ha.
- Late varieties: 10-15 kg/ha.
- Bund planting: 2 kg/ha.
Spacing: 60 x 15 cm.
Plant Population:
- Kharif crop: 55,000 plants/ha.
- Winter crop: 3.33 lakh plants/ha.
Sowing Time: 1st fortnight of June.
Fertilizer Application (kg/ha):
- N: 20-25
- P: 50-60
- K: 20-35
Weed Management:
- Pre-emergence: Alachlor, Pendimethalin.
- Post-emergence: Basalin.
Yield
- Irrigated Conditions: 25-30 q/ha.
- Unirrigated Conditions: 15-20 q/ha.
- Proportion of Seed to Pod: 50-60%.
Climate Requirements
- Temperature: Optimal: 26–30°C for vegetative growth. Sensitive to frost during flowering and pod setting.
- Rainfall: Requires 600-1000 mm annually.
- Photoperiod: Short-day plant; day length influences flowering.
Growth Stages and Duration
- Germination: 7-10 days.
- Vegetative Phase: 40-60 days.
- Flowering: 60-80 days.
- Pod Formation: 80-150 days (varies by variety).
- Maturity: 120-300 days depending on the variety.
Intercropping System
Commonly intercropped with:
- Cereals: Maize, Sorghum, Pearl millet.
- Oilseeds: Groundnut, Soybean.
- Other Pulses: Green gram, Black gram.
Benefits:
- Enhances soil fertility.
- Reduces pests and diseases.
Cropping Systems
- Mono-cropping: Sole crop of pigeonpea.
- Intercropping: Mixed with shorter duration crops (e.g., maize + pigeonpea).
- Relay Cropping: Grown after an early-maturing cereal or pulse.
- Agroforestry: Planted along field bunds or as a border crop.
Pests and Diseases
Major Pests:
- Pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera): Control: Spray Neem oil or apply Chlorpyrifos.
- Pod fly (Melanagromyza obtusa): Control: Dimethoate spray during pod development.
- Aphids: Control: Use systemic insecticides like Imidacloprid.
- Termites: Control: Treat seeds with Chlorpyrifos before sowing.
Major Diseases:
- Wilt (Fusarium udum): Control: Grow resistant varieties (e.g., Mukta). Seed treatment with Carbendazim @ 2g/kg seed.
- Sterility Mosaic Disease (SMD): Control: Use resistant varieties like ICP 8863.
- Phytophthora Blight: Control: Ensure proper drainage and apply Mancozeb sprays.
Water Management
Irrigation:
- Critical stages: Flowering and pod development.
- Avoid waterlogging as pigeonpea is sensitive to excess moisture.
Rainfed Conditions: Use soil moisture conservation practices like mulching.
Harvesting and Post-Harvest Practices
- Harvesting Time: When 75-80% of pods turn brown.
- Methods: Manual harvesting or sickles.
- Threshing: Pods are sun-dried and threshed manually or mechanically.
- Storage: Dry seeds to 10-12% moisture content. Store in airtight containers to prevent pest infestation.
