Moth Bean Crop India

General Information

Moth Bean also known as Turkish bean or Matki, is important crop of semi-arid and arid regions. It is a multi-purpose crop used as food, fodder and also for green manuring. It is a rich source of dietary fibre and contains 24% of Proteins. Rajasthan is major moth growing state contribute about 86% of area. Other than Rajasthan, it is also cultivated in Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, and on small scale in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. In Rajasthan, Churu, Bikaner, Nagaur, Jodhpur, Barmer, Shriganga nagar, Sikar, Jalore and Jaipur are major moth growing areas.   

Soil

The plant can be grown in a variety of soils. It can be successfully grown on well drained sandy soils with poor organic matter and poor fertility. Saline and alkaline soils are not suitable for its cultivation.

Popular Varieties With Their Yield

RMO 257: Ready to harvest in 63 to 65 days. Plant height is about 33cm. Resistant to Yellow Mosaic Virus, white fly.

RMO 40: Plant height is about 30-40cm. Ready to harvest in 62 to 65 days. It can survive under water stress. Gives average yield of  2.4-3.6qtl/acre. 

RMO 435: Can survive under water stress conditions. Plant remains green at the time of harvesting.

RMO 225: Early growing variety, ready to harvest in 65-67 days. Suitable for grain purpose as well as for fodder purpose. Gives average grain yield of 2-3.2qtl/acre and fodder yield of 7-8qtl/acre.

RMO 423: Suitable for moth growing areas of Rajasthan. It can be used for grain purpose as well as for fodder purpose. Resistant to yellow mosaic virus. It can survive uder water stress conditions.

FMO 96: Ready to harvest in 58-59 days. Suitable for sole as well as intercropping.

CAZRI Moth 3: Ready to harvest in 60-62 days. It can survive under extreme drought conditions. Gives average yield of 3 to 4.8 qtl/acre.

CAZRI Moth 2: Ready to harvest in 66-68 days. Gives average yield of 3 to 4.8qtl/acre.  

CAZRI Moth 1: Ready to harvest in 73-75 days. Gives average yield of 3 to 4.8qtl/acre.

Maru Moth: Semi spreading type variety, suitable for growing in whole Rajasthan. Ready to harvest in 80-85 days. Gives resistant to leaf spot.

IPCMO 800:
Ready to harvest in 80-85 days. Suitable for growing in western Rajasthan. 

Other state varieties:

Jadia
: Ready to harvest in 85-90 days. Suitable for all moth growing areas. Susceptible to Yellow Mosaic Virus.

Jawala: Ready to harvest in 85-90 days.  It is resistant to Yellow Mosaic Virus.  

Land Preparation

Plough land and do harrowing for two-three times. Take levelling operation after each harrowing. In Rajasthan, moth bean is cultivated in sandy soils, so minimum land preparation is required.

Sowing

Time of sowing
Sowing of Moth bean can be done with onset of Monsoon. In case of delay or insufficient rain, sowing can be extended upto August Month.

Spacing
Use row to row distance of 30cm and Plant to plant distance of 15-20cm.

Sowing Depth
Sow seeds at depth of 3-5cm in soil.

Method of sowing

Sowing can be done with the help of seed drill.

Seed

Seed Rate
When sown for grain purpose, use seed rate of 5-7kg/acre. For fodder purpose, use double seed rate.

Seed Treatment
Before sowing, treat seeds with Thiram or Captan@2.5gm per kg of seeds. After chemical treatment, treat seeds with Rhizobium@25gm/Kg of seeds. It helps in nitrogen fixation.

 

Fertilizer

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

UREA SSP MOP
26-52 75-125 -

 

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

NITROGEN PHOSPHORUS POTASH
12-24 12-20 -

 

At time of land preparation, apply 60-80qtl per acre of well decomposed cow dung, it will help to increased water holding capacity of soil. Overall crop required Nitrogen@12-24kg/acre and Phosphorus@12-20kg/acre. Apply Nitrogen in form of Urea@26-52kg/acre and Phosphorus in form of SSP@75-125kg/acre. Apply N and P fertilizer at time of sowing.

Weed Control

Keep field clean and free from weeds. Take first hand weeding, three to four week after sowing. To control weeds chemically, pre-plant application of Fluchloralin@800 ml/acre is effective.

Irrigation

As it is rainfed crop, it does not required irrigation. Apply irrigation, in case of pro-longed dry spell. 

Plant protection

Sucking pest (jassid,aphid,white fly)
  • Pest and their management:

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 or Triazophos@200ml/acre. If necessary take second spray 10 days after first spray.

Pod Borer

Pod Borer: Serious pest causes heavy loss in yield. If infestation is observed, take spray of Indoxacarb 14.5SC@200ml or Acephate 75SP@800gm or Spinosad 45SC@80ml/acre. Repeat spray after two weeks.

Yellow Mosaic Virus
  • Disease 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.

Use Yellow Mosaic Virus resistant varieties. For white fly control, take spray of Diamethoate@200ml/150Ltr of water or Thiamethoxam@40gm/acre. If necessary take second spray 10days after first spray.

Bacterial Leaf Spot

Bacterial Leaf Spot: Many small irregular spots observed on leaves. In severe infestation, defoliation occurred also brown spots are observed on stem and pods.

Grow bacterial leaf spot resistant variety. Before sowing, treat seeds with Streptocyline@0.1gm/Ltr of water+ Captan@2gm per kg of seeds. If infestation is observed, take spray of Blitox@3gm/Ltr of water or Blitox@3gm/Ltr  + Carbendazim@2 gm/Ltr of water.

Powdery Mildew

Powdery Mildew: White powdery growth appears on leaves. In severe infestation, powdery growth appeared on whole stem and leaves. Leaves become small in size and yellow.

If infestation is observed take Spray of water soluble Sulphur@20gm/10Ltr of water. If needed repeat spray with interval of 10days. 

Harvesting

Proper time of harvesting is when leaves show drying up and pods turn into light yellow. Uproot crop and dried in sun for 4-5 days. After proper drying carryout threshing operation.

Post-Harvest

Proper time of harvesting is when leaves show drying up and pods turn into light yellow. Uproot crop and dried in sun for 4-5 days. After proper drying carryout threshing operation.