It is a pulse crop which is suitable to be grown in rainfed and less fertile areas. The botanical name of horse gram is “Macrotyloma uniflorum” which is also known as “Kulthi” in hindi. It is also used for cooking purposes and can be eaten as fresh sprouts. It contains 22-23% of protein content. Because of high protein level it is used as cattle feed. It has also health benefits. It is used to cure cold and cough, diabetes, calculus, constipation, bronchitis, common fever and urinary diseases.

It can be grown on wide variety of soil.It is performed well in sloppy area and soil with well drainage. Avoid cultivation is highly acidic or alkaline soil.

Baiju (H.P.K.-4): It is a medium spreading variety and an early maturing variety which gets mature in 110-125 days. The legume is 4-5cm long and in each legume contains 4-5 grains. The grains are deep gray in color. The grains are resistant to diseases and didn’t fall. It gives an average yield of 7-8quintal/acre.

Other state varieties:

KS 2 (1991): Early maturing variety which gets mature in 80-90 days. The variety is found suitable for dry areas. It has medium sized seeds which are brown in color. In rainfed areas, it gives an average yield of 2.5quintal/acre.

CO 1 (1953): The variety gets mature in 110 days. The plant attains the height of 30-40cm. It has buff mottled grain color grain (100 grain weight 4.6gm). Suitable for rainfed areas. It gives an average yield of 3-4 quintal/acre.

Paiyur 1 (1988): The variety gets mature in 110 days. The plant attains the height of 35-40cm. It has light brown grain color grain (100 grain weight 3.4gm).Suitable for rainfed areas. It gives an average yield of 4-4.5 quintal/acre.

Paiyur 2 (1998): The variety gets mature in 100-105 days. The plant attains the height of 40-45cm. It has pale brown color grain (100 grain weight 3.56gm).Suitable for rainfed areas. It gives an average yield of 3.5-4.5 quintal/acre.
 

For horse gram farming, land is prepared to fine tilth. For fine tilth, 3-4 ploughings are required. 

Sowing time:
Seeds are sown in the starting of the monsoon season. It is grown in the month of end-June to start of July month.

Spacing:
Use line to line spacing of 30cm and plant to plant spacing of 10-15cm.
 
Depth of sowing:
Use 1.5-2cm depth for seed sowing.

Method of sowing:
Dibbling method
Broadcasting method
 

Seed rate:
Use seed rate of 7.5-8kg/acre and if mixed farming with maize, use seed rate of 3-4kg/acre.
 
Seed treatment:
Treat the seeds with any one fungicides i.e Carbendazim or Thiram @ 3gm/kg to protect crop from soil borne diseases.
 

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Use fertilizer dose of Nitrogen @6kg/acre in the form of urea@14kg/acre and Phosphorus @18kg/acre in the form of SSP@115kg/acre at the time of sowing. Potash is not necessary for this crop. If mixed farming of this crop is done with maize then there is no need of adding nitrogen dose. 

To retain the moisture in the field, immediate irrigations are required. First irrigation is given immediately after seed sowing. Next lifesaving irrigation is given on 3rd day of seed sowing. Along with these irrigations, subsequent irrigations are also given whenever required. Irrigation at the time of flower development, pod forming and seed development stages is necessary.

Do frequent weeding, hoeing and earthing up and keep field weed free till 45 days. If weed left uncontrolled then it will reduce crop yield up to 70-90%.spray of Fluchloralin (Basalin) @ 800ml/200 litre of water as pre-emergence weedicide.

• Pest and their control:

Stem fly: If infestation is seen, two spraying of quinalphos@2ml/ltr of water is given. Second spray is given after 10 days of first spraying.

Aphids, leaf hopper and whitefly: If infestation is seen then sprays of Methyldematon or Dimethoate or Oberon @2ml/ltr if water is given to get rid of these pests.

• Disease and their control:
  

Root rot: Immediate and full wilting of plants is seen. Leaves give yellow appearance.
Treatment: Seed treatment with Thiram@4gm/kg should be done to protect crop from root rot.

Cercospora or powdery mildew: If infestation is seen, spray of Bavistin solution @1% is given to get rid of these diseases.

When legumes get dried then harvesting should be done. It gives an average yield of 3-4 qtl/acre.