Table of Contents
Introduction
Black gram, commonly known as urad dal, is a staple legume crop in Indian agriculture with immense nutritional and economic significance. It is rich in protein, carbohydrates, and essential fats. From dals and papads to fermented delicacies like idli and dosa, a variety of dishes in Indian cuisine are made using black gram.
The black gram plant enriches soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, prevents erosion with its deep-rooted system, and even serves as green manure. Its byproducts, including haulms, husks, and split beans, are valuable as livestock feed. With the rising domestic and global demand for pulses, black gram cultivation holds great potential for farmers, contributing to both income generation and sustainable agriculture.
Interested in growing this powerful legume? Let’s explore the seven simple steps to successfully sow black gram seeds for a healthy and high-yielding crop!
Step 1: Climate, Soil, and Season for Sowing Black Gram Seeds
Climate for Black Gram Cultivation
Black gram thrives best in warm and humid conditions, with an optimal temperature range of 25–35°C for healthy growth. However, it can tolerate temperatures up to 42°C. The crop requires an annual rainfall of around 800mm, but being drought-resistant, it can grow in regions with as little as 650mm of rainfall.
Soil for Black Gram Cultivation
Black gram grows best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils. The ideal soil pH range of 5.5 to 7.5 ensures proper nutrient availability and plant health. Saline and waterlogged soils are not suitable, especially during the seedling stage.
Season for Sowing Black Gram
Black gram is cultivated in all seasons in India. In rainfed areas, it is best sown at the onset of the monsoon, ensuring adequate soil moisture for germination. In irrigated regions, it can also be grown during the rabi and summer seasons with proper water management.
Black gram is primarily grown as a kharif crop and as a summer crop in North India. In South and Southwest India, it is also cultivated as a rabi crop. It is beneficial if the maturity of black gram coincides with warmer and drier periods, as this results in a good-quality yield. If harvesting coincides with rains, the seeds may sprout inside the pods, leading to significant yield losses.
Step 2: Selecting the Right Black Gram Variety
Selecting the right variety depends on various factors such as climate, region, and season of sowing. For black gram, the season of cultivation, the length of the growing season, and the availability of a water source play crucial roles in determining the best variety. Additionally, tolerance to diseases such as the yellow mosaic virus is an important consideration when selecting a variety.
For your convenience, a few black gram varieties are listed below:
Step 3: Procuring Quality Black Gram Seeds
Seeds play a crucial role in achieving a successful crop. It is essential to procure high-quality seeds.
Looking for high-quality black gram seeds? At Desikheti, you can find a wide range of high-quality seeds delivered directly to your doorstep. So why wait? Explore our collection of black gram seeds and place your order in just a few clicks!
Step 4: Land Preparation for Sowing Black Gram Seeds
Black gram does not require finely tilled soil, but the field should be leveled and free from weeds for proper growth. Land preparation typically involves 1–2 deep ploughings, followed by 2–3 harrowings and planking to break clumps and retain soil moisture.
During the final ploughing, apply around 10 to 12.5 tonnes of FYM per hectare. Fertilizers should also be applied as a basal dose at this stage. The exact fertilizer requirement varies based on region, soil fertility, and season. Generally, in Andhra Pradesh, the recommended dose is 12.5 kg of nitrogen and 25 kg of phosphorus per hectare for rainfed crops, and 25 kg of nitrogen and 50 kg of phosphorus per hectare for irrigated crops.
Step 5: Method of Sowing Black Gram Seeds
Seed Rate: 8 to 10 kg per acre. However, the exact seed rate can vary based on the method of sowing, spacing and season.
Seed Treatment: Most seeds sold by private companies are pre-treated with chemicals. However, if the seeds are not pre-treated, they can be treated with Carbendazim at 3 g per kg of seeds. Alternatively, seeds may be treated with biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma viride or Pseudomonas fluorescens.
For sowing, a spacing of 30 × 10 cm is generally preferred for irrigated conditions, while 25 × 10 cm can be suitable for rainfed conditions. Seeds can be sown at a depth of 2–3 cm using either dibbling or a seed drill.
In Andhra Pradesh, the rice fallow method is also practiced, where black gram seeds are broadcast in rice fields 3 to 4 days before rice harvesting.
Step 6: Care After Sowing Black Gram Seeds
Proper care after sowing is essential for a healthy black gram crop. Irrigation is not required for kharif crops, as they rely on monsoon rains. However, for rabi crops, irrigation should be done immediately after sowing, followed by a life-saving irrigation on the third day. Subsequent watering can be done every 10–15 days, depending on soil moisture.
The flowering and pod formation stages are critical, so avoiding water stress during this period is important. However, ensure that waterlogging does not occur at any stage of plant growth.
If moisture stress occurs, applying a 0.5% KCl foliar spray during the vegetative stage can help maintain plant health. Hand weeding can be done 15 days after sowing and again 30 days after sowing to keep the field weed-free.
Step 7: Harvesting Black Gram
Black gram generally reaches maturity 80–95 days after sowing (DAS). The pods change color from green to yellow and finally to black as they ripen. Harvesting is usually done in one or two pickings.
If the plants mature evenly, the entire crop can be cut. After cutting, spread the crop on a threshing field to dry. Once fully dried, the plants turn black, and the pods begin to split naturally. The plants can then be beaten with sticks to separate the seeds, followed by winnowing to remove debris and obtain clean grains. Timely harvesting ensures better seed quality and higher yields.
Common FAQs Related to Black Gram Seed Sowing
Q. What climate is best for growing black gram?
A. Black gram thrives in warm and humid conditions, with an optimal temperature of 25–35°C. It can tolerate temperatures up to 42°C.
Q. Which soil is best for growing black gram?
A. Well-drained loam or sandy loam soils with a pH of 5.5–7.5 are ideal for black gram cultivation.
Q. What is the seed rate of black gram per acre?
A. 8 to 10 kg per acre. However, it can vary based on the season, spacing, and method of sowing.
Q. When can black gram be harvested?
A. The crop is ready for harvest when the pods turn yellow to black and start drying, usually 80–95 days after sowing.
Q. How deep can black gram be sown?
A. The seeds can be sown at a depth of 2–3 cm for optimal germination.
Q. What is the scientific name of black gram?
A. The scientific name of black gram is Vigna mungo.
