In this article we will discuss about:- 1. Origin and Distribution of Black Gram 2. Climate, Soils and Tillage of Black Gram 3. Varieties and Seasons.
Origin and Distribution of Black Gram :
The primary centre of origin of black gram is India and its secondary origin is central Asia. It is an important pulse crop in India, Pakistan, Myanmar and parts of southern Asia, Africa and America. In India, it is primarily grown in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
In India, the area under black gram (2007-08) was 3.24 M ha with a production of 1.52 M t accounting for a productivity of 469 kg ha-1. Maharashtra ranks first both in the area (0.58 M ha) and production (0.33 M t) of black gram in the country followed by AP with an area of 0.50 M ha and Production 0.26 M t. Yield is highest (800 kg ha-1) in Bihar followed by WB (714 kg ha-1).
Black gram (Phaseolus mungo), also known as urd, mush and mung in India, is an important pulse crop of India next to green gram. It is used more or less in the same way as green gram. As forage, it is inferior to green gram due to hairiness. It is a highly priced pulse, very rich in phosphoric acid.
Climate, Soils and Tillage of Black Gram:
Blackgram is basically a warm weather crop. It comes up in areas receiving annual rainfall of 600 to 1000 mm. It is grown from sea level up to an altitude of 1800 m.
It is grown on a variety of soil ranging from sandy to heavy black cotton soils. It prefers water retentive heavy soils. Well drains heavy soils with a pH ranging from 5.0 to 7.5 appear to be ideal. It cannot stand saline or alkaline conditions. Land preparation is similar to that for green gram.
Varieties and Seasons of Black Gram:
A number of improved varieties have been developed to suit location specific requirements although the country. Some of the popular varieties are given Table 8.17.
Like green gram, black gram can be cultivated although the year both as rainfed and irrigated crop. Black gram is predominantly a rainfed crop during rainy and postrainy seasons.
Karif:
Largely grown as intercrop under rainfed conditions. To a limited extent, it is grown as sole crop. Optimum time of sowing is first fortnight of July.
Rabi (autumn):
Grown on stored soil moisture, large as sole crop on water retentive heavy soils. October second fortnight is optimum time of sowing.
Late rabi:
As a relay crop on receding soil moisture in standing kharif rice before a week of its harvest as sole crop. Optimum time of sowing is January-February, depending on the harvest of rice.
To a very limited extent, black gram is cultivated as irrigated crop during summer, especially after the harvest of rabi crop. In Peninsular a.id south India, black gram usually is grown after rabi rice. April second fortnight is optimum time of seeding.
Management practices such as seed rate, plant population, method of sowing, nutrient, water and weed management, plant protection, harvesting and storage are similar to that indicated under green gram.