Black gram is also known as Urad in Hindi and Mash in Urdu and Punjabi. It is one of the most important pulse crops of India. It is rich source of protein and phosphoric acid. It is used as daal and it is important ingredient of breakfast. In India, major black gram areas are Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

It can be cultivated on wide range of soil. Gives best result when grown on well drained loamy to sandy-loam soils. Saline and water logged soils are not suitable for cultivation. 

TPU-1: High yielding varieties. Grains are shiny black and are of big size. Ready to harvest within 70 to 75days.

TPU 4: Ready to harvest in 70-80days. Gives average yield of 4-4.8qtl/acre.

BDU 1: Recommended for whole Maharashtra. Ready to harvest in 80-85days. Gives average yield of 4.5-4.8qtl/acre.

T 9: Suitable for whole areas of UP. Ready to harvest in 75-80days. Resistant to yellow mosaic virus. Gives average yield of 2.5-3.2qtl/acre.

TAU 2: Ready to harvest in 70-75days. Suitable for cultivation for Vidarbha region. Gives average yield of 4-4.8qtl/acre.

PKV Urad 15: Ready to harvest in 65-70days.Suitable for cultivation for Vidarbha region. Gives average yield of 4-4.8qtl/acre.

Other state varieties:

Khargaon 3: Ready to harvest in 85-90days. Seeds are bold-black color. Gives average yield of 3.2 to 4qtl/acre.

IU 86: Ready to harvest in 60-65days. Less susceptible to powdery mildew. Medium size, black color seeds. Gives average yield of 4.8-5.6qtl/acre.

IU-1-19: Ready to harvest in 75days. Medium size white seeds. Gives average yield of 4.8-5.6qtl/acre.

PU 30: Ready to harvest in 70days. It is resistant to yellow mosaic virus. Gives average yield of 4.8-6qtl/acre.

PDU 1: Ready to harvest in 70-80days. Gives average yield of 4.8-5.6qtl/acre.

Jawahar 2: Medium size, black color variety. Ready to harvest in 70days. Gives average yield of 4qtl/acre.

Jawahar Urd 3: Ready to harvest in 70-75days. Gives average yield of 4-4.8qtl/acre.

Type 1: It is susceptible to yellow mosaic virus. Gives average yield of 3.2-4qtl/acre.

Pant U-19: Ready to harvest in 80-85days. Gives average yield of 4-4.8qtl/acre.

Pant U-35: Ready to harvest in 80-85days. Gives average yield of 4-4.8qtl/acre.

Immediately after first rain, for light soils, give one ploughing followed by two harrowing. For medium soils, give two ploughing followed by two harrowing. Where as for heavy soils, give two-three times ploughing and two-three times harrowing. After then do planking operations and level soil to avoid water logged conditions in soil.

Time of sowing

Optimum time for sowing is from last week of June to first week of July. Delay in harvesting leads to heavy loss in yield.

Spacing

For sowing use row to row spacing of 30cm or 45cm, depending upon soil type and variety and plant to plant distance of 10cm.  

Sowing Depth

Sow seeds at depth of 4cm.

Method of sowing

For sowing use Kera or Pora method or sow seeds by seed drill.

Seed Rate

For sowing of one acre land, seed rate of 8-10kg is sufficient.

Seed Treatment

Seed should be treated with Captan or Thiram @3gm/kg of seed or Thiram@2.5gm +Carbendazim@1gm per kg of seeds before sowing. After chemical treatment, treat seeds with Rhizobium culture. (Mix Rhizobium culture@200gm + Jaggery@ 250gm in half litre of water. Treat 10kg of seeds with this solution. Then dry seeds in shades.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

At time of sowing, apply Nitrogen@8-10kg in form of Urea@18-25kg per acre, Phosphorus@20kg in form of SSP@125kg/acre. Apply fertilizer at depth of 2-3cm below seeds. Depending upon soil test results, if deficiency observed, apply potash.

To keep field weed free, one or two hoeing, first hoeing four week after sowing and second hoeing two week after first hoeing are required. 

To control weed chemically, apply Fluchloralin@600ml/acre or Trifluralin@800ml/acre before sowing (take sowing on same day). Also after sowing, within two days, take spray of Pendimethalin@1Ltr/acre in 100-200Ltrs of water.

Depending upon soil type, climate and other factors, overall green gram crop required, three to four irrigations. Apply first irrigation 30-35days after sowing. Then depending upon need, apply remaining irrigation at interval of 15days.

• Diseases and their control:

Yellow mosaic virus: It is spread due to white fly. Irregular yellow, green patches are observed on leaves. Pods not developed on infected plants.

Grow yellow mosaic virus resistant varieties. For white fly control, take spray of Thiamethoxam@40gm, Triazophos@ 600ml/acre. If necessary take second spray 10days after first spray.

Cercospora leaf spot: As a preventive measure, do seed treatment with Captan and Thiram. Use cercospora leaf spot resistant variety. If infestation is observed take spray of Zineb 75WP@400gm/acre. Take two to three sprays at interval of 10days.

• Pests and their control:

Sucking pest (Jassid, aphid, white fly): If infestation is observed, take spray of Malathion@375ml or Dimethoate@250ml or Oxydemeton Methyl@250ml/acre.

For white fly control, take spray of Thiamethoxam@40gm Triazophos@600ml/acre. If necessary take second spray 10days after first spray.

Tobacco caterpillar: If infestation is observed, take spray of Acephate 57SP@800gm/acre or Chlorpyriphos 20EC@ 1.5Ltr/acre. If necessary take second spray 10days after first spray.

Hairy Caterpillar: To control hairy caterpillar pick caterpillar manually and destroyed by crushing or putting in kerosene water when infestation is low. In case of high infestation, take spray of Quinalphos@500ml or Dichlorvos@200ml/acre.

Pod Borer: Serious pest cause heavy loss in yield. If infestation is observed, take spray of Indoxacarb 14.5SC@200ml or Acephate 75SP@800gm or Spinosad 45SC@60ml/acre. Repeat spray after two weeks.

 Mite: If infestation is observed take spray of Dimethoate 30EC@150ml/acre.

Blister beetle: They cause damage at flowering stage. They feed on flowers, buds thus prevent grain formation.

If infestation is observed, take spray of Indoxacarb 14.5SC@200ml or Acephate 75SC@800gm/acre. Carry out spraying in evening hours and if necessary take second spray 10 days after first spray.

Best time for harvesting of mash is when leaves are shed and pods become grayish black. Cut crop with sickle and then spread harvested crop on floor to dry. Then threshing is done and seeds are separated from pods.