ORIGIN, AREA, PRODUCTION, VARIETIES, PACKAGE OF PRACTICES FOR PEAS

Peas - (Pisum sativum L.) (2n = 14) - (Hindi : Matar)

Pea (Pisum sativum L.), the famous plant in which G.H. Mendel worked out
Mendel Laws and Genetic Principles, is a noble and aristocratic vegetable. The
crop is cultivated for its tender and immature pods for use as vegetable and mature
dry pods for use as a pulse. In both cases, seeds are separated and used as
vegetable or pulse. Peas are highly nutritive and contain high content of digestible
protein (7.2 g / 100g), Carbohydrate (15.8 g), Vitamin-C (9 mg), phosphorus (139
mg) and minerals. Tender seeds are also used in soups. Canned, frozen and
dehydrated peas are very common for use during off-season. Like any legume crop,
pea is an integral component of sustainable agriculture due to its soil enriching and
conditioning properties.

Origin
Vavilov (1926) listed different centres of origin for pea. Area comprising Central
Asia, the
Near East, Abyssinia and the Mediterranean is the centre of origin based on genetic
diversity. Cultivated garden pea is not seen in wild state and it might have been
originated from wild field pea or other related species.
Botany
Pea is a diploid with 2n=14. Field pea with coloured flowers belong to Pisum
arvense and the garden pea with white flowers belong to P. sativum. Pea is a
herbaceous annual plant with tap root system. Stem is upright, slender and usually
single. Leaves are pinnately compound with the rachis terminating in a single or
branched tendril. There are large stipules at base of leaf. Inflorescence is a
raceme arising from axils of leaves and individual flowers are
typical papilionaceous. Gynoecium is monocarpellary with ovules (up to 13)
alternately attached to placenta. Style bends at right angle to ovary and stigma is
sticky. Pods are straight or curved and seeds are smooth or wrinkled.

Varieties
Pea cultivars grown in different parts of the world exhibit wide variation in
height of stem, branching, pod size, seeds per pod, shelling percentage, smoothness
of seeds (smooth / wrinkled) etc.
The cultivars / varieties are grouped based on various characters as given below:
Basal on maturity period
 Early types – green pods will be ready for harvest by 65 days after sowing.
 Mid season types – pods will be ready for harvest by 85-90 days after sowing.
 Late main season types – pods will be ready for harvest by 110 days after
sowing
Based on height of plant
 Bush or dwarf types
 Medium tall
 Tall
 Usually dwarf types are early and mid season types are medium tall. Late
types are tall and require support.
A brief description of improved varieties is given below:
Developing Variety Special features
institution
IIHR, Bangalore. Arka Ajit Resistant to powdery mildew and rust.Yield
10t/ha in 90 days.
UN 53-6 A snap pea where the whole pod is edible.
Yield
8-9 t/ha in 90 days.
IARI, New Delhi. Arkel* Early season variety introduced from England
Dwarf plants bearing double pods at lower
nodes and single at upper nodes. Pods 8.8
cm long and sickle shaped. Suitable for
fresh market and dehydration.
Susceptible to collar rot at high
temperature. Yield 7.5 t/ha in 50-55 days.
Bonneville* Mid season variety introduced from USA.
Medium tall plants bearing double pods.
Pods more than 9 cm long. Yield 8.5 t/ha.
Seeds green
and wrinkled.
Sylvia Introduced edible podded variety suitable
for kitchen garden. Pods curved,
yellowish green
without parchment.
IARI, Lincoln* Early season variety introduced from France.
Medium tall plants bearing double pods of
Regional 8-9 cm length and sickle shaped. Mature
Station, Katrain seeds wrinkled. First picking 85-90 days
after sowing
(DAS). Yield 68-10 t/ha.
IIVAR, Varanasi. VRP 2* Plants 50 cm tall. Pods straight and
medium sized. First harvest 55-58 DAS.
Yield 10 t/ha.
Kashi Early maturing variety developed
 Nandini through pedigree selection. Plants
* erect and dwarf. Pods
(VRP 3) long. Tolerant to leaf miner and pod borer.
Yield
 6.5 t/ha with 80 % shelling percentage.
Kashi Mid season variety. Plants 80 cm tall
Shakthi with attractive pods. Yield 7.5 t/ha.
*
(VRP 7)
Tamil Ooty 1 A dwarf variety with a yield of 11.9 t/ha
in 90 days. Resistant to white fly.
Nadu
Agricultural
University.
NDAU&T, NDVP 8* Mid season variety with 10 t/ha.
Faizabad, UP.
NDVP 10* Mid season variety with 10 t/ha.
Punjab Punjab 88* Early season variety developed through
Agricultural selection from cross between Pusa 2 x
University, Morrasis 55. Pods dark green, long (8-10
Ludhiana cm) and slightly curved. Days to first
harvest – 100. Yield 15 t/ha with
47% shelling percentage.
Matar Early season dwarf variety. Tolerant to
Ageta high temperature. Yield 6 t/ha
6* with 44.67% shelling
percentage. Seeds smooth and green.
CSAUA&T, Azad Resistant to powdery. Plants tall (130-150
Kanpur. cm). Straight and smooth pods. Yield 12
P.2* (PRS4) t/ha in 90-95
days.
Azad P-3* Early maturing variety. Pods straight,
medium
(PRS 4)
size. Yield 8 t/ha.
JNKV, Jabalpur. Jawahar Mid season dwarf variety with big,
Matar 1* attractive green, 8-9 cm long pods
(JM containing 8-10 sweet
1, GL 141) green ovules.
Jawaha Pods dark green, big, curved with 8-10
r Matar sweet ovules, wrinkle seeded, susceptible
2 to powdery
 mildew.
Jawaha Early season variety developed through
r selection from cross between T 19 x Early
Matar- Badger. First picking in 50 DAS, Pods 7
3 cm long, light green
(Early and round oval / ovules.
December*)
 Jawaha Mid season variety derived from T 19 x
r Little Marvel. Plants 50-60 cm tall. Pods 7
Matar- cm long, green. Mature seeds green and
4* wrinkled.
(JM 4, GL
195)
Jawahar Resistant to powdery mildew and Fusarium
wilt.
Matar 15
Plants dwarf. Yild 13 t/ha.
Jawaha Powdery mildew resistant variety with
r Matar big incurved pods enclosing 8-9
54 big wrinkled seeds.
Yield 7 t/ha.
Jawahar Mid season powdery mildew resistant
Peas variety developed through double cross
83* (Arkel x JP 829) x (46 C x JP 501). Plants
dwarf. Pods big and curved with 8 green
and sweet ovules. Yield 12-
13 t/ha.
Harbhajan Early variety resembling to field pea.
Susceptible
to powdery mildew. Av. Yield 3 t/ha.
GBPUA&T PM 2* Early variety developed through pedigree
Pantnagar selection from cross between. Early Badger
x Pant Uphar. Pods smaller than Arkel.
Yield 10
t/ha.
Pant Uphar* Medium maturity, ready for harvest by 70-
(IP3) 80 DAS. Flowers white, Pods round. Seeds
wrinkled, Susceptible to powdery
mildew.
Resistant to stem fly. Yield 10 t/ha.
Pant Early season variety with long curved pods
with
8-9 ovules. Picking starts 60-75 DAS. Yield
Sabji Matar
9 t/ha.
3
HAU, Hisar. Hisar Developed through selection from cross
 between Bonneville x P 23. Pods large,
Harit* (PH sickle shaped and
1) single or double. Yield 9 t/ha.
VPKAS, Almora VL Matar 3* Plants determinate. White flowers, straight
and double podded. Length – 6.8 cm. First
picking is
100 DAS. Yield 10 t/ha.
 VL Agethi Early season dwarf variety. First picking in
Matar 7* 120- 125 DAS. Pods 8 cm long, light green,
(VL 7) slightly curved. Seeds wrinkled. Yield 23-
25 t/ha. with
42% shelling.
VL 8* Mid season variety with 10 t/ha.
Vivek* Medium mature variety with straight, 6-7
cm long
pods. Seeds semi wrinkled. Moderately
(VL Matar
tolerant to cold and moisture stress. Yield
6)
11 t/ha.
TNAU, Ooty-1 Dwarf variety having a yield potential of
11.9 t/ha
Coimbatore
in 90 days. Resistant to white fly.
* Varieties released / identified by AICRP (Vegetables)
In addition to the above improved varieties, cultivars like Asauji, Alaska, Meteor,
Early Badger etc. are also very popular among farmers.
Climate
Pea is typically a cool season crop and thrives well in cool weather. Optimum
temperature for seed germination is 22 oC. Even though seeds germinate at 5oC,
speed of germination is less. At higher temperature, decay of seedlings is more.
Early stage of crop is tolerant to frost. But flowering and fruit development are
adversely affected by frost. Optimum monthly mean temperature for growth of
plants is 10-18.3oC. As temperature increases the maturity is hastened and yield is
reduced. Quality of pods produced is also low at high temperature due to conversion
of sugars to hemicellulose and starch.
Soil
Crop prefers well drained, loose and friable loamy soil for early crop and
clayey soil for high yield. Ideal pH is 6.0-7.5 and it grows under alkaline soil. If soil is
acidic, liming is recommended.
Season
In plains of North India, pea is sown from beginning of October to middle of
November. Yield is drastically reduced when crop is sown after 4 th December
(Chaubey, 1977). Crop sown in September will be susceptible to wilt disease. In
hills, pea is sown in March for summer crop and in May for autumn crop.
Sowing and seed rate
 Soil is prepared to a fine tilth by disc ploughing followed by one or two
harrowing. Seeds are sown in flat or raised beds by broadcasting or by dibbling at
2.5-5.0 cm depth. Early varieties are sown at a closer spacing of 30 x 5-10 cm and
the seed rates is 100-120 kg/ha. Mid
season and late varieties are sown at wider spacing of 45 x 10 cm. Late varieties
are sown on either edge of raised beds which are 120-150 cm wide with furrows in
between. Seed rate for late varieties is 80-90 kg/ha. Overnight soaking of seeds in
water or GA 3 (10 ppm) improves germination.
Manure and fertilizers
A crop yielding 4-5 tonnes of green peas removes 55 kg N, 20 kg P 2O5 and 40
kg K2O. High does of N have adverse effect on nodule formation and N fixation. N at
25 kg/ha is sufficient to stimulate early growth of pea. Phosphatic fertilizer increases
yield and quality by increasing N fixation and nodule formation. Potassium fertilizers
also increase N fixation ability of plants and yield. In addition to 10 tonnes of
farmyard manure, a fertilizer dose of 25 kg N, 70 kg P 2 O 5 and 50 kg K 2 O are
recommended for one hectare and the entire dose is drilled at the time of sowing
seeds. If fertilizers are coming in contact with seeds, there will be severe injury to
seeds. Fertilizer should be applied in bands at 7-8 cm away and 2.5 cm deeper from
seeds. Application of sodium molybdate @ 40 kg/ha either as per or post emergence
spray is reported to increase yield and collar rot resistance in peas.
Application of fertilizers in Tamilnadu
Apply FYM at 20 t/ha and 60 kg N, 80 kg P and 70 kg K/ha as basal and 60 kg
N/ha 30 days after sowing.
Irrigation
Pea, like any legume vegetable, is sensitive to drought and excessive
irrigation. Excessive irrigation immediately after sowing results in poor germination
due to hard crust formation. Excessive irrigation in earlier stags increases
vegetative growth. Light irrigations t 10-15 days intervals is given for pea.
Flowering, fruit set and grain filling periods are critical stages and care should be
taken to irrigate crop at these stags. Four irrigations at pre-bloom, pod set and fruit
picking stages are recommended for variety Bonneville under Bangalore conditions.
Weed control
Care should be taken to remove weeds in early stags of crop. Lasso
(alachlor) @ 0.75 kg a.i. or tribunal @ 1.5 kg a.i./ha or pendemethalin 0.5 kg a.i. /
ha as pre emergence spray along with one hand weeding at 25-45 days after sowing
is very effective for weed control.
Inter-culture
When plants are 15 cm high, tall varieties should be stacked with wooden
sticks or twigs for trailing. A single row of stakes fixed in middle of raised bed will
support both rows of plants in each bed.
Earthing up and hoeing is also important operations in peas and helps in root
development and growth of plants. This is usually done after weeding and fertilizer
application.
Harvesting
Since tender peas with high sugar content fetch premium price in market,
care should be taken to harvest pods at correct maturity. During maturity, sugar
content decreases and polysaccharides and insoluble nitrogen compounds like
protein increases. Calcium migrates to seed coat and becomes tougher during
ripening. Toughness of seeds is determined using Tendrometer, especially for
processing purposes. Peas with low tendrometer reading is offered high price.
Many workers calculated heat units to ascertain maturity and harvesting of peas.
Number of degree hours above 4.4 oC required to bring a variety to maturity is
calculated and it varies from variety to variety.
Peas for fresh market are harvested when they are well filled and when
colour changes from dark green to light green. Usually 3-4 harvests at 10 days
intervals are possible. Green pod yield varies with duration of variety and is 2.5-4.0
t/ha for early varieties, 6.0-7.5 t/ha for mid season varieties and 8.0-10.0 t/ha for
late varieties. Shelling percentage ranges from 35-50. Seed yield varies from 2.0 to
2.5 t/ha. Peas after harvesting are packed in gunny bags or crates. Fresh unshelled
peas can be stored for two weeks at 10 oC and 90-95% RH.
Pests and Diseases
Stem fly, pea aphid, leaf miner and pod borer are major pests and wilt and
root-rot, powdery mildew, rust, Ascochyta blight and pod rot are major diseases of pea.
*********
 Production Technology of Vegetables &
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ORIGIN, AREA, PRODUCTION, VARIETIES, PACKAGE OF PRACTICES FOR FRENCH BEANS
(Syn: Snap bean, String bean, Kidney bean, Haricot bean, Fresh bean) (Phaseolus
vulgaris L.) (2n = 22)
(Hindi: Vilaiti sem)
French bean is an important cool season legume vegetable grown for its
tender pods, shelled green beans and dry beans (Rajmah beans). In western
countries, processed pod consumption is quite high. 100 g of green pods contain
1.7g protein, 4.5 g carbohydrates, 221
I.U. vitamin - A, 11 mg vitamin-C, 50 mg calcium etc. Dry beans are rich in protein.
Origin and Taxonomy
Genus Phaseolus originated in New World. Following four species are under
cultivation in New World:
1. Phaseolus vulgaris – French bean
2. P. coccineus – Runner or Scarlet bean
3. P. lunatus – Lima bean, Butter bean or Madagascar bean
4. P. acutifolius var. latifolius – Tapery bean
All the given species are diploids with 2n=22 and self-pollinated except P.
coccineus, which is cross-pollinated. French bean, the most important species under
Phaseolus, is originated in central and South America (Kaplen, 1981).
P.vulgaris Phaseolus coccineus

Phaseolus lunatus

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White Tepary Beans

Botany Phaseolus acutifolius
French bean has tap root system with poor nodule formation. Leaves are
trifoliate. Though a self-pollinated crop, French bean offers wide variability for plant
growth (bushy / climbing), colour of pod (green / waxy coloured), cross section of
pod (flat / oval / round), pliability (stringed / string less) etc.

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Varieties
There are specific varieties for snap bean purpose, dry bean purpose and for
processing. Processing varieties are very popular in the USA. A brief description of
improved varieties is given below:
Developing Variety Special features
institution
IIHR, Arka Komal* Introduced bushy variety from Afghanistan.
Bangalore. Pods straight, flat, and green with large
brown seeds. Good transport and keeping
quality. Yield 19 t/ha
and 3 t/ha seed in 65-70 days.
Arka Plants bushy and photosensitive. Pods
straight and oval, light green, stringless
Subidha* and fleshy. Yield
(IIHR 909) 19 t/ha in 70 days.
IARI Contender Plants bushy with pink flowers. Pods green,
round long and stringless. Tolerant to
Regional mosaic and
Station, powdery mildew. Yield 20 t/ha.
Katrain
Pusa Parvati Developed through irradiation followed by
selection from wax podded variety EC 1906.
Plants bushy with pink flowers. Pod green,
round long. Resistant to mosaic and
powdery mildew.
Yield 22-25 t/ha.
Pusa Pole variety with medium sized (14 cm
Himalatha long)
round, meaty, stringless pods with an
average yield of 26 t/ha.
VPKAS, Almora VL Boni 1* Dwarf variety with white flowers. Pods
round, light green, stringless and fleshy.
First harvest 45-60 DAS. Yield 10-11 t/ha.
Tamil Nadu Ooty-1 Moderately resistant to leaf spot,
anthracnose and
Agricultural
pod borer. Yield 10-11 t/ha.
University

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TKD1 A pole type suitable for growing in hills.

Pods long, flat with low fibre. Yield 5-6

t/ha in 90-100
days.

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KKL 1 Moringa A pole type suitable for growing in hills. Pods
bean long (28 cm) with low fibre. Seeds white and
flat. Yield
7 t of pods and 3 t. of grains/ha.
YCD1 Bushy dual purpose variety suitable for
kharif season. Pods slightly flat, 15 cm long.
Seeds dark purple. Tolerant to root rot,
rust, yellow mosaic and anthracnose. Yield
9.75 t. of pods or
6.3 of grains / ha in 105 days.
NDAU&T, NDVP 8* Mid season variety with 10 t/ha
Faizabad, UP.
NDVP 10* Mid season variety with 10 t/ha.
CBPUA&T, Pant Plants bushy and dwarf with concentrated
Pantnagar Anupama* fruiting. Moderately resistant to bean
(UPF 191) mosaic and angular leaf spot. Yield 9 t/ha.

MPKV, Rahuri Phule Surekha Pods 9-10 cm long, flat, light green.
Tolerant to
anthracnose, yellow mosaic and wilt
disease. Yield 15 t/ha.
* Varieties released / identified by AICRP (Vegetables)

In addition to the above improved varieties, cultivars like Kentucky Wonder

(pole type with long, flat and stringless pods), Premier, Giant Stringless, Bountiful
etc. are also very popular among farmers.
Climate
French bean is a day neutral cool season vegetable and tolerates high
temperature better than peas. Optimum monthly temperature for cultivation of
French bean is 15-25oC compared to 10-18oC for peas. It is sensitive to high rainfall,
frost and high temperature. Pole types tolerate high rainfall better than bushy
varieties
Soil
Soil requirements are same as that of pea. Ideal soil pH for growth of French
bean is
5.5 – 6.0
Season
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In plains of North India, French bean is sown during two seasons viz., July-
September and January-February. In hills, sowing is done from March to May.

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Land preparation and sowing
Land is ploughed to a fine tilth and divided into plots of convenient size.
Ridges and furrows are prepared by ploughing after a basal dose application of
farmyard manure. Field is irrigated once and seeds are sown under optimum
moisture condition on side of ridges 2-3 days after irrigation. Spacing and seed rate
vary with varieties. Early varieties are sown at a spacing of 45-60 cm x 10-15 cm
and seed rate required is 80-90 kg / ha. Pole types are sown at 1.0 m apart in hills
@ 3-4 plants / hill and seed rate is much less (25-30 kg/ha.).
Manure and fertilizers
French bean responds well to application of lime and fertilizers. In addition to
20-25 t. of farmyard manure, 50 kg N, 75 kg, P 2 O 5 and 75 kg K 2 O are
recommended. Half of N along with full P and K should be applied as basal dose at
the time of making ridges and furrows or one or two weeks after germination.
Apply remaining dose of N, one month after first application.
Application of fertilizers in Tamil Nadu
Apply FYM 25 t/ha at the last ploughing. N 90 kg and P 125 kg/ha should be
applied on one side of the ridges. For rainfed conditions of Shevaroy hills, apply as a
basal dose of 62.5 kg/ha of Phosphorous as super phosphate and with another half
of 62.5 kg/ha Phosphorous as FYM enriched super phosphate.
Intercultural operations
French bean is a shallow rooted crop and only light inter-cultural operations
are practiced. During early stages of crop, weeding followed by fertilizer application
and earthing up can be synchronized. A pre-sowing application of Fluchloralin @
2.1 /ha checks weed growth for 20-25 days.
Water stress influences yield of French bean and crop is most sensitive at
flowering and fruiting stages. 6-7 irrigations are required during growing season.
Staking is an important operation for pole types and bamboo sticks or any
locally available materials should be erected when plants start vining. Individual
vertical stakes and horizontal canes at 40 cm distance are erected for encouraging
growth and spread of plants.
Application of plant growth regulators like PCPA (2 ppm) and NAA (5-25 ppm)
has favourable effect on fruit set and yield.
Harvesting and yield
Pods are harvested at full grown stage but immature and tender. Pods are
ready for harvest 7-12 days after flowering depending on varieties. In bush
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varieties, 2-3 harvests and in pole types 3-5 harvests are made. Quality of beans
varies with harvests and best quality fruits

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are obtained in initial harvests compared to later harvests. Loss of crispness during
storage and in last harvest is attributed to loss of water and increase in water
soluble pectin.
Seed weight is a major indicator of green bean harvest maturity. Yield of
tender pods varies from 8-10 t/ha in bush varieties and 12-15 t/ha in pole types.
Dry beans are harvested when majority of pods are fully ripe and colour turns
yellow. Seed yield varies from 1250 to 1500 kg / ha.
Pests and diseases
Crop is affected by pests like stem fly, thrips, mites, bean beetle, bean
weevil, aphids etc. Yellow mosaic, anthracnose, powdery mildew, rust, root rot and
wilt and leaf spot are common diseases affecting French bean.

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ORIGIN, AREA, PRODUCTION, VARIETIES, PACKAGE OF PRACTICES FOR COW PEA

(Syn: Southern pea, Black eyed pea, Yard long bean)
(Vigna uniguiculata) (2n = 22, 24)
(Hindi: Lobia, Chouli)
Cowpea is a typical warm season crop adapted to tropics. The crop is used in
a variety of ways. Tender pods are used as vegetable and dry beans as pulse. Due
to its nutritive value and soil improving properties, it is also used as a fodder, green
manure and cover crop. Being a legume crop, cowpea fits well in inter-cropping
system. In Kerala, it is grown as a floor crop in coconut gardens, as an inter-crop in
tapioca, fringe crop in rice fields and in garden lands. The crop is an integral part of
sustainable agriculture. 100 g of green tender pods contain 4.3 g protein, 2.0 g
fibre, 8.0 g carbohydrates, 74 mg phosphorus, 2.5 mg iron, 13.0 mg vitamin-C, 0.9
mg minerals, etc. (Africa is considered as primary centre of origin of cowpea).
Confusion prevailed in the taxonomy of cultivated cowpea and related wild species
was solved to a great extent by Summerfield et. al . (1974) and Ng and Marechal
(1985).
Taxonomy and botany
Three cultivated sub-species have been identified under the species Vigna
unguiculata
to which cowpea belongs:
1. V. unguiculata ssp. Unguiculata (dual purpose type)
2. V. unguiculata ssp. Cylindrical (Syn: V. Unguiculata ssp. Catjang, V. Sinensis ssp.
Catjang( (grain type)
3. V. Unguiculata var. Sesquipedalis (vegetable type).

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Vigna unguiculata ssp. cylindrical Vigna unguiculata var. sesquipedalis
Some do not agree on the distinct subspecies status to each of the above three.
Ng and Marechal (1985) renamed subspecies unguiculata, cylidrica and sesquipedalis
as cultigroups. Unguiculata, Biflora and Sesquipedalis respectively under V.unguiculata.

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Cultigroup unguiculata is most diverse of cultivated V. unguiculata and is widely
distributed. It is commonly known as cowpea. This is prostrate, semi-erect, erect or
climbing. Pods are linear, in axillary racemes. Seeds are small and kidney shaped.
Sesquipedalis, known as yard long bean or asparagus bean is used as
vegetable. It is climbing or trailing. Pods are 30-90 cm long, pendulous, fleshy and
tending to shrink when dry. Seeds are elongated and kidney shaped.
All the three cross each other. In a cross between V. unguiculata spp.
Unguiculata
(2n=22) and V. Unguiculata var. Sesquipedalis (2n=24), F1, had 2n=23.
Botany
Cowpea is a diploid with 2n=2x=22. It is a vigorously growing annual herb
with strong tap root system. Growth habit ranges from erect to climbing with
profuse branching. Stem is cylindrical and twisting. Inflorescence is an un-
branched axillary raceme bearing several flowers at terminal end of peduncles.
Length of peduncle varies from 5-60 cm.
Anthesis takes place early in morning between 6.30 and 9.00 a.m. The
process of opening corolla takes 45-60 minutes. Dehiscence of anthers is much
earlier and it varies from
10.0 p.m. to 00.45 a.m. For hybridization purpose, emasculation is to be done 20
hours before flower opening. Safest time for emasculation is morning hours
preceding day of anthesis. Stigma becomes receptive from 12 hours before
blooming to 6 hours after anthesis.
Climate
Cowpea is a warm season crop and comes up well between 21-35 oC. Grain
types and dual purpose types are tolerant to hardy conditions including high
temperature, drought and poor soil. The climbing yard long bean prefers mild
climate than grain types. Performance of varieties varies with day length, rainfall
and temperature. Hence, specific varieties are to be selected for each season.
Even though, cowpea can be grown in any soil, fertile loose soil rich in humus
is required for a prolonged harvest.
Varieties
Varieties and cultivars respond differently to photoperiod. Brief descriptions
of improved varieties are given below:
Developing Variety Special features
institution

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IIHR, IIHR 16 Developed through pedigree selection
Bangalore. from Arka Garima x Pusa Komal.
Plants
erect
bushy, 70-75 cm tall, photo insensitive.
Pods

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green and medium long (15-18 cm).
Yield 19
t/ha in 70-75 days.
Arka Derived through back cross and pure line
selection from TUV 762 x V. unguiculate
Garima* (Sel var. sesquipedalis. Plants vigorous, bushy,
61-B) with purple flowers. Pods round and
thick, fleshy and stringless.Tolerant to
heat and drought.
Yield 18 t/ha in 90 days.
Arka Suman Bushy photo insensitive variety with
medium
long pods. Yield 15 t/ha.
Arka Samrudhi Bushy photo insensitive variety with
medium
long pods. Yield 15 t/ha.
IARI, New Pusa Komal Plants bushy, flowers in 45 days.
Delhi. * (Sel Pods light green,
1552) 25-30 cm long. Resistant to
bacterial
blight. Yield 10 t/ha.
Pusa Phalguni Dwarf variety that matures in 60 days.
Suitable
for February-March sowing. Yield 5-10
t/ha.
Pusa Barsati Suitable for rainy season. Yield 9-9.5 t/ha.
Pusa Dofasli Photo insensitive. Yield 7.5-8 t/ha.
Pusa Rituraj Bushy variety with 22-25 cm long and
thin
pods. Yield 8-10 t/ha.
Kerala Vyjayanthi Trailing growth habit, long wine red
Agricultural coloured pods, brown seeds; Av. Length
University of pod 50.62 cm: Av. Fruit weight 16.17
g; No. of seeds / pod
20-22; Productivity 12.6 t/ha.
Lola Trailing growth habit, smooth and extra
long pods; glossy light green coloured
long pods with purple tip, black seeds;
Av. Length of pod

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53.38 cm; Av. Pod weight 22 g; No. of
seeds /
pod 20-22; Productivity 20.0 t/ha.
KMV 1 Trailing growth habit, long light green
pods with brown tip, Immature seeds
light green, Av.
Length of pod 38 cm; No. of seeds / pod
19;

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Productivity 14.2 t/ha.
Bhagyalakshmi Early flowering, bushy growth habit, light
green medium sized pods, mottled seeds;
Av. Length of pod 27.0 cm; Av. Pod
weight 7.13 g; Days to
first harvest 48 days; Productivity 6.48
t/ha.
Kanakamani Semi trailing growth habit, pod-dark
green, bold seeded and medium long,
reddish brown seeds; Av. Pod length
17.8 cm; Av. Pod weight
2.0 g; Seeds / pod 17; Productivity 7.0
t/ha.
Kairali Resistant to mosaic disease, semi trailing
growth habit, pink coloured medium long
pods, reddish brown seeds; Av. Length of
pod 22.78 cm; Av. Pod weight 7.08 g;
Days to first harvest
50, Productivity 7.13 t/ha.
Anaswara Semi trailing, pods-light green, bold
seeded and medium long, purple flowers;
Av. Pod length 28.13 cm; Av. Pod weight
12.5 g. Seeds
/ pod 19; Productivity 12.5 t/ha.
Varun Tolerant to mosaic, semi trailing growth
habit, pink coloured medium long pods,
reddish. Tolerant to mosaic, semi trailing
growth habit, pink coloured medium long
pods, reddish brown seeds; Av. Length of
pod 27 cm; Av. Pod weight 11 g; Days
to first harvest 50;
Productivity 8.4 t/ha.
Tamil Nadu CO.2 A semi spreading variety with 26 cm long
pods
Agrl.
University having less fibre. Yield 9.4 t/ha.
Vamban Variety with long green pods. Yield 10.6
t/ha.
NDAU&T, Sel-2-1* Plants 70-75 cm tall. Pods green, 25-
30 cm
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Faizabad, UP. long, black seeded. Susceptible to

cercospora leaf spot and viruses.
Punjab Agrl. Sel-263* Early maturing dwarf variety with green
thick
University,
and fleshy pods of 20 cm length.
Resistant to

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Ludhiana mosaic and golden mosaic virus.
BCKVV, Bidhan Barati-1 Bushy variety resistant to cowpea mosaic
Kalyani and golden mosaic virus. Flowers white.
Pods green, medium long (25.2 cm)
borne on long
stout peduncle. Yield 13.4 t/ha.
Bidhan Barati-2 Semi determinate variety with purple
flowers.
Pods light green, thick medium long (25.8
cm) borne on short peduncle. Yield 15.9
t/ha.

Season
In areas where winter is mild, cowpea can be grown throughout the year. In
North Indian plains, it is sown during February-March as a summer crop. In Kerala
cowpea is grown throughout the year and June-July, September-October and
December-January are main seasons.
Land preparation and sowing
Land is prepared to a fine tilth by 2-3 ploughing and harrowing. Field is
divided into plots of convenient size and seeds of bushy varieties are dibbled at a
spacing of 30 x 15 cm with 1-2 seeds per hole. For semi-trailing varieties provide
a spacing of 45 x 30 cm. During rainy season, seeds are sown at the above
spacing in raised beds of 90 cm width. Trailing varieties are sown at the above
spacing in raised beds of 90 cm width. Trailing varieties are sown in pits of 45-60
cm diameter and 30-45 cm depth at a spacing of 2m x 2m with 3 plants / pit for
trailing on bower. Trailing varieties are also grown on trellis by sowing seeds in
channels at 1.50 x 0.45 spacing.
Seed rate required for various types are :
Seed rate Spacing
Bushy vegetable tyeps 20-25 kg/ha 30 x 15 cm
Semi-trailing vegetable types 20-25 kg/ha 45 x 30 cm
Trailing vegetable tyeps 4-5 kg/ha 2.0 x 2.0 m
Dual purpsoe (broadcasting) 60-65 kg/ha -
Dual purpose (dibbling) 40-60 kg/ha 45 x 30 cm
In land, where cowpea is cultivated for the first time, inoculate seeds with
Rhizobium for quick nodulation on roots and for fixing atmospheric nitrogen.

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Manures and fertilizers
Kerala Agricultural University recommended a fertilizer dose of 20:30:10 kg
NPK / ha along with 20 t. of farmyard manure for cowpea. Yard long bean responds
well to application of fertilizers. Hence, a higher dose of 25:75:60 kg NPK/ha is also
recommended in some other states. Half of N along with entire dose of P and K
should be applied at the time of final land preparation. Apply remaining 15-20 days
after sowing along with weeding and earthing up.
For yard long bean, apply fertilizers in several split doses at fortnightly
interval for protected fruiting. Drenching cow dung slurry in basins of plants and
spraying cow dung supernatant liquid is also highly beneficial for trailing types.
Apply 250 kg lime or 400 kg dolomite / ha in acidic soils at the time of land
preparation.
Irrigation
Cowpea, in general, is sensitive to water logging and requires less moisture
compared to other vegetables. Grain types require only 2-3 protective irrigations at
flowering and pod development stages. Water requirement of vegetable types with
protracted and long fruiting phase is more than that of grain types. Irrigate trailing
vegetable types at 4-15 days interval depending on soil during pre-flowering phase.
Hardening of plants by restricting irrigation during pre-flowering stage is
advantageous for avoiding excess vegetative growth and will induce early flowering.
Once plant starts flowering, provide frequent but light irrigation. Excess irrigation
and frequent rains during fruiting period induces vegetative phase at the expense of
fruiting.
Interculture
Climbing types are usually trailed to bowers or trellis made of bamboo poles
and coir or plastic wire for harvesting maximum yield. Erect supports with wooden
sticks for training plants to the bower when plants start vining. To reduce cost of
production, stretching of jute wires from base to bower is also a viable practice.
Shallow cultivation and earthing up is necessary during early stages of crop
to check weed growth. Fluchloralin (2 litres /ha) will effectively check weed
growth for 20-25 days. Once crop is covered, weeds will naturally be under
control.
Light earthing up along with fertilizer application is also highly advantageous
for better growth of plants. This facilitates better root growth and prevents lodging
of young seedlings.

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Nipping of excess vegetative growth is a common practice for inducing
flowering and
fruiting in bush and semi-trailing cowpea varieties especially when there is rain
during flowering and fruiting phase.

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Plant growth regulators
Plant growth regulators are effective for specific purposes in yard long bean.
Spraying of NAA (15 ppm), 15 and 30 days after sowing is beneficial for inducing
fruit set. CCC is reported to induce tolerance to mosaic disease.
Harvesting and yield
Tender fruits are harvested after attaining full size but before they become
fibrous. Yard long been is usually harvested in alternate days and harvesting period
extends up to 45 days under good management practices. In bush varieties 2-5
harvests are possible.
Yield
Bush varieties - 4-5 t/ha
Semi-trailing varieties - 7-8 t/ha.
Yard long bean varieties - 15-18
t/ha
Seed yield
Bush varieties - 750-1250
kg/ha Semi-trailing varieties - 1000-
1500 kg/ha. Yard long bean varieties -
450-600 kg/ha
Pests and diseases
Vegetable cowpea varieties especially those belonging to succulent yard long
bean are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases. Pea aphids, serpentine leaf
miner, stem fly, thrips, pod borers, leaf roller, hairy caterpillar etc. are major pests
and fusarium wilt, rhizoctonia wilt, anthracnose, powdery mildew and mosaic are
serious diseases affecting cowpea.
********

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LIMA BEAN
(Syn: Double Bean) (Phaseolus lunatus L.) (2n = 22)
(Hindi : Lobia)

Dixie Speckled Butter Peas - Phaseolus lunatus

Christmas Lima Beans - Phaseolus lunatus

Hopi Yellow Lima Beans - "Sikyahatiko" - Phaseolus lunatus

Lime bean is a cool season vegetable requiring dry and cool climate with an

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average rainfall of 50-62.5 cm. Compared to other legumes, it is a long duration
crop and is retained in field for 9 months. Lima bean is an important crop in
Maharashtra.
Cultivation practices
In Maharashtra, crop is grown after sugarcane. After harvest of sugarcane,
land is ploughed to fine tilth and seeds are sown in hills @ 2-3 seeds / hill at a
distance of 180 x 120 cm during July. Seed rate required is 8-10 kg/ha.
When plants start vining, they are trained to trellis made with vertical
bamboo poles with horizontals tied at a distance of 45 cm. Height of trellis is up to
150 cm and they are usually erected along direction of wind.
Lima bean responds well to manuring and fertilizer application. Irrigation and
other timely inter-cultural operations required are same as that of other legume
vegetables.
Harvesting
Plants start flowering 80-85 days after sowing and pod formation takes place
one month alter. First harvest is obtained four months after sowing, i.e., by
November and it extends up to March. On an average, 12-14 harvests are possible
at an interval of 15-16 days. Yield varies from 8-12 t/ha.

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BROAD BEAN
(Vicia faba L.) (2n = 12, 14)
(Hindi: Bakla)
Broad bean, also known as faba bean or horse bean, is the only bean, sown in
autumn and is grown as a winter crop in high elevations. It is a hardy plant and
withstands low temperature as low as 4oC. The crop is widely cultivated in Latin
America and is grown in India in a limited scale in northern states having low
temperature. It tolerates salinity to a certainextent. Broad bean is sued as
tender bean, green shelled bean, and dry bean and as cattle feed.
Plants are more or less vine like and grow erect without branching to a height
of 60-125 cm. Stem is square in cross section and flowers are pollinated by insects.
Pods are borne in upright clusters of 5 or more in axils of leaves. Green pods grow
parallel to stem. It is about 15 cm long and 2 cm wide with slightly round in cross

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section with 5 or more beans.

Varieties
Masterpiece White Long Pod, Masterpiece Green Long Pod, Imperial White
Windsor and Imperial Green Windsor are some of the introduced varieties. Jawahar
Selection 73-31 is an improved selection from Madhya Pradesh. A few selections
made at Bihar are BR-1 (black seeded) and BR-2 (yellow seeded). M/s.Suttan Seeds
developed a dwarf type ‘Suttan White Seeded’.

Cultivation
Broad bean requires low temperature for its cultivation. Crop is tolerant to
water stress due to protein accumulation. It tolerates water-logging and salinity.
Seeds @ 70-100 kg/ha are sown in shallow channels spaced at 75 cm. In each
channel, seeds are sown in double rows at spacing of 25 cm. Cultivation practices
are similar to that of pole type pea. Plants are stacked with wooden sticks.
Tender pods are harvested at green shell stage, 3-4 months after sowing.
Under favourable conditions, crop yield is 7-10 t. of green pods and 1-1.2 t. of green
beans/ha.
Application of fertilizers in Tamilnadu
Apply 25 of FYM and 50 kg P and 25 kg K/ha as basal dose. 25 kg N and 25
kg of K/ha are applied between 20-25 days after sowing and application of
remaining 25 kg of N is done between 40-45 days.

Anasazi Beans(Phaseolus vulgaris)

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Bolita Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Purple Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Hopi Black Pinto Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

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Little White Ice Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

********

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ORIGIN, AREA, PRODUCTION, VARIETIES, PACKAGE OF PRACTICES FOR CLUSTER
BEAN
(Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) (2n = 14)
(Hindi: Guar)
Cluster bean is a drought tolerant warm season crop grown for its tender
fruits for use as vegetable. Fruits are rich in food value and each 100 g contains
10.8 g carbohydrate, 3.2 protein, 1.4 g minerals, 316 IU vitamin-A and 47 mg
vitamin-C. It is also sued as a nutritious fodder for livestock. Mucilaginous seed
flour is used for making guar gum (galactomannan) utilized in textile, paper,
cosmetic and oil industries throughout the world.
Origin and botany
Diverse opinion on exact origin of cluster bean is still prevailing. Dry regions
of West Africa as well as India are treated as centres of origin of cluster bean by
various workers. African species, Cyamopsis senegalensis is the ancestor of cluster
bean.

Botany
Cluster bean is an erect annual, growing to a height of up to 3 in with stiff
erect branches. Stem is angled and leaves are trifoliate. Small white or purple
flowers are borne on axillary racemes. Fruits are compressed, erect and 4-10 cm
long. Each fruit has 5 to 12 white to grey or black coloured seeds.
Varieties
Varieties grown in India differ in height of plants. Cultivars grown in South
India are vegetable types while those in North-West India are grown for seeds.
There are giant and dwarf types in cluster bean. Vegetable types are mostly dwarf
types with smooth appearance. Fodder types are mostly hairy.

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Some of the improved varieties developed at IARI, New Delhi are :

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 Pusa Domausami - Suitable for rainy season. Late and branching variety with
80 days to first picking. Pods smooth, light green and 10-13 cm long.
 Pusa Sadabahar – Suitable for summer and rainy season, non branching type.
Pods green and 12-13 cm long.
 Pusa Navbahar – Non branching variety with pod quality of Pusa Mausmi.
Developed
by crossisng Pusa Domausami and Pusa Sadabahar.
Sharad Bahar is a branching variety developed at NBPGR. It produces 12-14
branches with an average yield of 133 pods / plant.
Climate and soil
This hardy and drought tolerant crop comes up well during summer and rainy
season in well-drained sandy loam. It cannot tolerate shade and prefers long day
condition for vegetative growth and short day condition for flowering.
Land preparation and sowing
Main rainy season crop is sown during June-July and extended up to
September- October. Summer crop is raised by sowing during February-March.
Field is prepared to a fine tilth by ploughing and harrowing. Seeds are either
broadcasted or dibbled behind country plough at a distance of 25-30 cm. Seeds are
also dibbled at specified spacing of 45-60 cm x 15 cm. Seed requirement is 25-30
kg/ha.
Manure and fertilizers
Though a hardy legume, cluster bean responds to fertilizer application. In
addition to 25
t. of farmyard manure, a fertilizer dose of 50:60:60 kg NPK / ha is recommended.
Half N, full P and K are applied as basal dose and remaining N, 25-30 days after.
Application of fertilizers in Tamil Nadu
Apply FYM 25 t, Azospirillum 2 kg and Phosphobacteria 2 kg / ha, N 25, P 50
and K 25 kg/ha as basal and 25 kg N/ha 30 days after sowing.
Intercultural
The field is kept free of weeds during initial stages. Though a hardy crop,
irrigation increases yield. Irrigation at flowering and fruiting stages is the most
critical. For getting high yield in vegetable types, irrigation may be done at 7-10
days interval.
Stacking is also necessary to avoid lodging in tall varieties.
Harvesting and yield
Harvesting starts 40 days after sowing and pods are harvested at tender
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stage. A vegetable yield of 5-8 tonnes and seed yield of 0.6 to 1.0 t/ha are expected
within crop duration of 120 days.

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Pests and Diseases
Most of pests affecting other legume crops also attack cluster bean.
Fusarium
wilt, bacterial blight, powdery mildew and anthracnose are major diseases affecting
the crop.
*******

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ORIGIN, AREA, PRODUCTION, VARIETIES, PACKAGE OF PRACTICES FOR HYACINTH
BEAN
(Syn: Indian bean) Lablab purpureus L.
(Syn: Dolichos lablab, D. purpureus) (2n = 22, 24)
(Hindi: Sem)
Hyacinth bean, also known as field bean or dolichos bean, is grown
throughout tropical regions of Asia, Africa and America. In India, it is grown as a
field crop in Tamil Nadu., Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and
Maharashtra. In Kerala, the photo sensitive pole types are grown in homesteads by
trailing to bower for its tender fruits which are used as cooked vegetable. Dry
beans are also sued in various vegetable preparations; 100 g of green pods contain
6.7 g carbohydrates, 3.8g carbohydrates, 3.8 proteins, 1.8 g fibre, 210 mg calcium,
68.0 mg phosphorus, 1.7 mg iron etc.
Origin, taxonomy and botany
Hyacinth bean originated in India. Two cultivated type’s viz., Lablab purpureosu
var. typicus and L. purpureus var. lignosus were reported by Sivasankar et al. (1971).
Former is vegetable type cultivated for its soft and edible pods and latter is the field
bean cultivated for dry seeds as pulse. Both varieties are cross compatible.
L. purpureus var typicus L. purpureus var lignosus

Hyacinth bean is a perennial herbaceous plant often grown as an annual.

Pole types are photosensitive. Leaves are alternate and trifoliate. Flowers are borne
in axillary racemes and are typically papilionaceous and are self-pollinated.
Flowering takes place under short day periods irrespective of planting time.
Anthesis occurs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pokle and Deshmukh, 1971). Anther
dehiscence is from 5.00

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a.m. to 2.00 p.m. Stigma is receptive on the day of anthesis.

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Varieties
A brief description of the improved varieties is given :
Developing Variety Special features
institution
IIHR, Arka Jay Photo-insensitive bush variety developed
Bangalore
by selection at F7 from Hebbal Avare 3
(Bush) x IIHR 99(Pole-recurrent parent).
Pods long, light green slightly curved.
Yield 1w t/ha in 75-
80 days.
Arka Vijay Photo-insensitive bush variety developed
by selection at F7 from Hebbal Avare
3(Bush) x Pusa Early Prolific (Pole). Pods
short, dark green with characteristic
aroma. Yield 12 t/ha
in 75-80 days.
UAS, Hebbal Avare- Bush and photo insensitive variety. Pods
1 small
Bangalore.
and soft. Yield 0.8 t/ha in 90-100 days.
Hebbal Avare- Bush and photo insensitive variety.
3
Flowers white. Pods green, 2-3 seeded.
Seeds brown, round and small. Yield 8-
10 t/ha in 90-100
days.
Hebbal Avare- Bush and photo insensitive variety. Pods
4 soft
and harvested in 5 pickings. Yield 6 t/ha.
IARI, New Pusa Pole type. Pods flat, green, narrow,
cycle
Delhi.
shaped. Pod length 9.3 cm, width 1.5
Early Prolific
cm, weight 3.5 g. Yield 14 t/ha in 200-
215 days.
Pusa Sem 2 Pole type. Pods semi-flat, dark green,
fleshy and stringless. Pod length 15-17
cm. Yield 13-
22 t/ha in 200-215 days. Tolerant to
anthracnose, yellow bean mosaic virus,
aphids, pod borers and frost.
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Pusa Sem 3 Pole type. Pods flat, green, fleshy
and stringless. Pod length 15 cm.
Yield 17-27 t/ha
in 200-215 days. Tolerant to
anthracnose,

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yellow bean mosaic virus, aphids, pod
borers
and frost.
KKVP, Dapoli Wal Konkan 1 Bushy, photo-insensitive, resistant to
yellow
mosaic virus. Yield 9-10 t/ha in 110-115
days.
Konkan Bushy, photo-insensitive, resistant to
Bhusha yellow mosaic virus. Yield 9-10 t/ha in
n 110-115 days.
(DPLD 1)
Tamil CO.1 Pole type. Pods green, fleshy with slow
fibre development. Pod weight 9.7
Nadu g. Yield 18-20
Agricultural t/ha in 160-180 days.
University
CO.2 Pole type. Pods, flat, green with purple
margin.
Pod length 9.3 cm, width 2.1 cm, weight
6.17 g. Yield 11.8 t/ha in 210-220 days.
CO.3 Pole type. Pods fleshy, green with purple
tinge. Pod length 10.6 cm, width 4.8 cm,
weight 11.77 g. Seeds black. Yield 10.0
t/ha in
230 days.
CO.4 Pole type. Pods deep purple throughout
and fleshy. Pod length 10.2 cm, width 3.3
cm, weight 7.43 g. Seeds black. Yield
13.5 t/ha in
215-220 days.
CO.5 Pole type. Pods long, narrow, light green
to white in colour, tubular, curved with
serrated margin. Pod length 13.4 cm,
breadth 1.5 cm, weight 5.26 g. Seeds
chocolate brown. Yield
6-7 t/ha in 235 days.
CO.6 Bush variety. Selected from DL 3169 x
CO.5. Pods slightly curved and bloated.
Yield 12 t/ha
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in 240 days.
CO.7 Bush variety. Selected form DL 3169 x
CO.5.
Pods long, succulent, flat, greenish white
and broad. Yield 12 t/ha in 240 days.
CO.8 Bush variety. Pods green tubular and
fleshy.

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Yield 6-8 t/ha in 120 days.
CO.9 Bush variety. Pods and grains are used.
Yield
7-8 t/ha in 120 days.
CO.10 Bush variety. Induced mutant from CO.6
by gamma ray (24 krad). Pods
greenish white,
tubular and curved. Yield 5-6 t/ha in 120
days.
CO.11 Bush variety. Hybrid derivative of CO.9 x
a pandal type. Compact plant type. Pods
flat and light green with purple margin.
Yield 9-10
t/ha.
CO.12 Bush variety. Hybrid derivative of CO.9
x
CO.4. Pods deep purple. Yield 10-12 t/ha
in 110 days.
CO.13 Bush variety. Hybrid derivative of Co.9
x a training type. Pods long green. Yield
10t/ha in
110-120 days
CSAUA&T, Rajani Pole type. Pods narrow oval in cross
Kanpur. section, shining green. Pod length 10.4
cm, width 1.2 cm, weight 1.78 g. Yield
7-8 t/ha in 200-210
days.
KDB 403 Pole type. Pods long, narrow, shining
green.
Pod length 12.9 cm, width 1.2 cm, weight
2.0 g. Yield 5-6 t/ha in 180-210 days.
KDB 405 Pole type. Pods medium long, narrow,
dark green band in the middle and
boarders light green. Pod length 9.6 cm,
width 1.3 cm, weight
1.1 g. Yield 3-4 t/ha in 180-200 days.
MPKV, Akola Dasarawal Pole type. Pods dirty green with purple
tinge at both boarders. Pod length 7.8
cm, width 2.0
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cm, weight 3.2 g. Yield 7-8 t/ha.
Deepaliwal Pole type. Pods extra long (18.4 cm),
white, not
smooth due to bulging at each seed. Pod
width
2.7 cm, weight 1.5 g. Yield 6-8 t/ha in
200-210

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days.
JNKV, JDL. 79 Pole type. Pods flat, broad, whitish green
Jabalpur. with parrot green boarder along the line
of seed attachment. Pod length 11.8 cm,
width 3.6 cm,
weight 1.5 g. Yield 5.6 t/ha in 200 days.
JDL 53 Pole type. Pods flat, small, narrow, dull
whitish green with purple tinge along the
boarder. Pod length 7.2 cm, width 1.8
cm, weight 3.75 g.
Yield 10-12 t/ha in 200-220 days.

Cultivation practices
Prepare land to fine tilth, and sow seeds during July-August with onset of
monsoon. In South and Central India, it is grown as a mixed crop with ragi and
sorghum. Seeds are dibbled at a spacing of 1.0 m in between ragi or sorghum.
After harvest of ear heads of ragi of sorghum, dolichos bean plants are allowed to
twine and spread on their stalk. Plants start flowering and fruiting by November-
December and continue up to late spring. Later vines are cut along with sorghum
straw and given to cattle as a nutritious feed. As a pure crop, dolichos bean is sown
at a spacing of 1.0 x 0.75 m @ 3-4 seeds / hill and later thinning is done retaining
only 2 plants. Seed rate for pure crop is 50-60 kg/ha.
Pole types are usually sown in backyards of homesteads. Take pits of 45-60
cm diameter during June-July and full with green leaves and wet cow dung. Allow
manure to decompose properly for 2-3 weeks. Cover pits with top soil and sow 3-4
seeds in a pit. Erect a bower with bamboo poles over an area of 4.0 x 4.0 m keeping
pit at the centre. Allow plants to climb on bower by erecting one or two long twigs
in pits. Apply organic manure around plants and earth up with laterite or loan soil.
After cessation of rains, make a circular basin 30-35 cm away from base of plants
for irrigation. Provide light irrigation daily in basin. Plants start yielding after 3
months once short days start. Thereafter daily watering and fortnightly application
of organic manure are essential for protracted flowering and harvest of stringless
pods over a long period.
Harvesting and yield
In bush varieties harvesting starts 50-60 days after sowing. In pole types

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flowering starts around three months after sowing during short days. Harvesting
starts from November – December and extends up to middle of March in Kerala.
Pods are harvested at tender stage before it becomes fibrous. Green pod yield
varies from 5 to 8 t/ha.

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 Production Technology of Vegetables &
Flowers
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, pod borer and leaf eating caterpillar are the major pests affecting
dolichos bean.
Among the diseases, Cercospora leaf spot and Rhizoctoni wilt are most serious.
Lab Lab or Dolichos bean
Application of fertilizers
(a) Basal dressing for bush type
Manures and fertilizers Irrigated Dry
FYM 12.5 t/ha 12.5 t/ha
N 25 kg/ha 12.5 kg/ha
P 50 kg/ha 25 kg/ha
K - -

(b) For pandal type

Apply 10 kg FYM per pit (20 t/ha) 100 g of NPK 6:12:12 mixture as basal and
10 g N per pit after 30 days. Apply 2 kg each Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria per ha
at the time of sowing.
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 Production Technology of Vegetables &
Flowers

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