Table of Contents
Introduction
Want to maximize your green gram yield this season? Also known as moong, green gram is a highly nutritious, fast-growing legume that plays a vital role in sustainable farming. Loved by farmers and home growers alike, this crop not only provides a rich protein source but also enriches the soil by fixing nitrogen. With the right approach, you can achieve a bountiful harvest while improving soil health.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know from choosing the best green gram variety to managing nutrients and irrigation effectively. Let’s get started on making your green gram farming more productive and profitable!
Step 1: Climate, Soil, and Season for Sowing Green Gram Seeds
Climate for Green Gram Cultivation
Green gram is a tropical pulse crop. It also grows well in subtropical, semi-arid regions. Temperatures between 25°C and 35°C are ideal for green gram cultivation, and the crop can tolerate high temperatures up to 40°C. It thrives in regions with moderate rainfall (600–1000 mm annually). Known for its hardiness, green gram can adapt well to rainfed conditions, making it a suitable option for sustainable farming in dryland areas.
Soil for Green Gram Cultivation
Green gram can grow well in a wide range of soils, from sandy loam to black cotton soil. In North India, it is typically cultivated in well-drained loamy soils, while in South India, it is commonly found in red soils. The optimal soil pH for green gram is between 6.5 and 7.5.
Saline soils are not suitable for green gram cultivation. Green gram grows best in neutral to slightly acidic conditions. Proper drainage is also crucial, as the crop is sensitive to waterlogging.
Season for Green Gram Cultivation
Green gram can be grown in all three seasons Kharif, Rabi, and Summer in different regions of India. In North India, it is often grown during the Kharif season, while in South India, it is cultivated in the Rabi and Summer seasons. Growing green gram in the summer can be advantageous due to its quick maturity. Additionally, during this period, high temperatures and low humidity can reduce the incidence of pests and diseases.
Step 2: Selecting the Right Green Gram Variety
Various factors such as the season of cultivation, length of the growing season, availability of water sources, and tolerance to diseases may need to be considered when selecting a variety.
For your convenience, a few green gram varieties are listed below.
Step 3: Procuring Quality Green Gram Seeds
For successful green gram farming, selecting high-quality seeds is crucial. Even with the best cultivation practices, using poor-quality seeds can result in low yields and poor plant health. Looking for the best green gram seeds? Desikheti offers a wide range of quality green gram seeds to suit your farming needs. Browse our collection, place your order online, and enjoy fast, reliable delivery right to your doorstep.
Step 4: Land Preparation for Sowing Green Gram Seeds
Prepare the land with two ploughings, followed by harrowing to remove all the previous season’s crop residues. Apply 10 to 15 tonnes of FYM per hectare of land during the final ploughing. Biofertilizers, around 5 kg, along with 2 kg each of Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens, can also be applied with the FYM. Prepare ridges and furrows one day before or just before sowing.
If green gram is cultivated as a rice fallow crop, tillage is not required, as the green gram seeds are broadcast in rice fields about one week before the rice harvest.
Step 5: Sowing Green Gram Seeds
Seed rate: 8 to 10 kg/acre. However, the exact seed rate can vary based on the season, method of sowing, and spacing.
Seed Treatment: Seeds sold by private companies are usually pre-treated with chemicals. However, if the seeds are not pre-treated, they may be treated with carbendazim or Thiram at 2 g/kg of seed. Seeds can also be treated with Trichoderma viride at 4 g/kg of seed or Pseudomonas fluorescens at 10 g/kg of seed.
Green gram can be sown by broadcasting or line sowing. Line sowing is preferred, as it can ensure uniform spacing, better aeration, and easier weed control, leading to higher yields. Sow the seeds at a depth of 3 to 4 cm. In irrigated conditions, a spacing of 30 x 10 cm is followed, while in rabi, a spacing of 25 x 10 cm may be followed. The broadcasting method is typically followed in the rice fallow method of sowing green gram.
Step 6: Care After Sowing Green Gram Seeds
Water Management
For Kharif crops, irrigation may not be required. However, Rabi and summer crops require irrigation. Irrigate immediately after sowing, followed by line irrigation on the 3rd day. Irrigate once every 6 to 9 days, depending on soil moisture and climatic conditions.
Flower initiation (35 DAS) and pod formation (55 DAS) are critical stages for water requirements. Ensure irrigation is done during these stages. However, waterlogging should be avoided during all stages of plant growth.
Weed Management
Weeds compete aggressively with green gram during the early growth stages. The critical period for weed competition is the first 35 days after sowing. Manual weeding may be done 15 days after sowing, followed by another round of weeding 30 days after sowing.
Step 7: Harvesting Green Gram
Green gram crops generally have non-synchronous maturity, so harvesting may be done in 2 to 3 pickings. For Kharif crops, harvesting is done by picking the mature pods as they ripen. For Rabi and summer crops, the entire plant can be cut at the base when around 85% of the pods have matured. After harvesting, the plants can be dried, followed by threshing.
Common FAQs Related to Green Gram Seed Sowing
Q. What climate is best for growing Green Gram?
A. Green gram grows well in tropical and subtropical climates. It grows best in temperatures between 25°C and 35°C and can tolerate high temperatures up to 40°C. Moderate rainfall of 600–1000 mm annually is ideal for its cultivation.
Q. Which soil is suitable for growing Green Gram?
A. Green gram can grow well in a variety of soils, including sandy loam and black cotton soil. The optimal soil pH for green gram is between 6.5 and 7.5.
Q. What is the seed rate of Green Gram per acre?
A. The seed rate for green gram is generally 8 to 10 kg per acre. However, the exact seed rate may vary depending on the season, method of sowing, and spacing.
Q.What is the depth of sowing green gram seeds?
A. Green gram seeds can be sown at a depth of 3 to 4 cm.
Q. What is the scientific name of Green Gram?
A. The scientific name of Green Gram is Vigna radiata.
