Black gram may be grown as pure crop in rice fallows after the harvest of the first or second crop of paddy.
Season
It can also be grown as pure or mixed crop during kharif season
Varieties
T-9, Co-2, S-1, TAU-2, TMV-1, KM-2, Syama and Sumanjana
Variety T-9 is moderately tolerant to drought condition; CO-2 is photoinsensitive but susceptible to pests and diseases. S-1 is suitable for pappad making. TAU-2 is suited for partially shaded condition in coconut garden during rabi season in southern region; TMV-1 and KM-2 are suited for Onattukara tract during late kharif; Syama is suited for the summer rice fallow of Onattukara. Sumanjana is high yielding and early maturing variety, suitable for summer rice fallows of Trivandrum district.
Seeds and Sowing
Seed rate: Pure crop - 20 kg ha-1
Mixed crop - 6 kg ha-1
Spacing: 25 cm x 15 cm
Sowing: Plough the land 2-3 times thoroughly and remove weeds and stubbles. For seed treatment in black gram, two Rhizobium cultures viz. KAU-BG-2 and BG-12 are recommended.
Manuring
FYM 20 t ha-1 (as basal)
Lime 250 kg ha-1 (or dolomite 400 kg ha-1 )
N 20 kg ha-1
P2O5 30 kg ha-1
K2O 30 kg ha-1
Lime may be applied at the time of first ploughing. Half the quantity of nitrogen, the whole of phosphorus and potash are applied at the time of last ploughing. The remaining 10 kg nitrogen can be applied as foliar spray of 2 per cent urea solution in two equal doses on the 15th and 30th day after sowing.
Plant protection
Apply carbaryl 0.15 per cent suspension, if pests are observed in serious proportions.
