Black Gram (mashhkalai) a leguminous plant species, Vigna mungo. This pulse crop has been cultivated for a long time in the Indian subcontinent and is not known in a wild state. A drought-resistant crop, it is grown both as a summer and winter crop; often in rotation with rice but sometimes in mixed cultivation. It is usually planted on a rough seedbed as too much tilt encourages vegetative growth at the expense of the seed. The period to maturity is 80-120 days and yields of 714 kg/ha dried seeds are obtained. Mashkalai is cultivated in about 161,000 acres of land in Bangladesh and total annual production is about 50,000 m tons.
Vigna mungo, the black gram, urad bean, uzhunnu parippu, ulundu paruppu, minapa pappu, mungo bean or black matpe bean (māṣa) is a bean grown in South Asia. Like its relative, the mung bean, it has been reclassified from the Phaseolus to the Vigna genus. The product sold as black lentil is usually the whole urad bean, whereas the split bean (the interior being white) is called a white lentil. It should not be confused with the much smaller true black lentil (Lens culinaris).
Black gram originated in South Asia, where it has been in cultivation from ancient times and is one of the most highly prized pulses of India. It is very widely used in Indian cuisine. In India, the Black gram is one of the important pulses grown in both Kharif and Rabi seasons. This crop is extensively grown in Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Cuddalore, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Villupuram districts of Tamilnadu. The Coastal Andhra region in Andhra Pradesh is known for black gram. The Guntur District ranks first in Andhra Pradesh for the production of black gram. In Nepal, it is known as kalo maas daal or Kalo daal (black legume) and it is very popular daal (legume) side dish that goes with curry and rice as a platter. Black gram has also been introduced to other tropical areas such as the Caribbean, Fiji, Mauritius, Myanmar and Africa, mainly by Indian immigrants during the Indian indenture system.
| Black gram Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Black gram |
| Scientific Name: | Vigna mungo |
| Origin | Vigna mungo |
| Colors | Black or grey black or mottled |
| Shapes | Ovoid to rounded |
| Calories | 706 Kcal./cup |
| Major nutrients | Copper (225.67%) Iron (195.88%) Isoleucine (159.33%) Valine (138.78%) Manganese (137.43%) |
| Health benefits | Digestive Health, Heart health, Treatment for diabetes, Relieve inflammation, Bone health |
Black gram with other names as urad bean, black gram, mung bean, minapa Pappu, and black matte bean, is a bean that is widely grown in the Indian subcontinent. It is also considered to belong to the same species of mung bean. The whole urad bean is sold as black lentils and split bean is known as white lentils. Black gram is originated in India and has been cultivated since ancient times and is one of the pulses which is highly prized in Pakistan and India. Black gram is also introduced to other tropical areas such as Fiji, the Caribbean, Africa, and Mauritius.
It is the nutritious pulse crop that is commonly known as urban. Seeds have a high content of carbohydrates, protein, minerals, fat, vitamins, potassium, niacin, calcium, iron, riboflavin and thiamine, and amino acids. It has a short-period pulse crop and is self-pollinated. The harvest is low in comparison to other grain legumes. Black gram accompanies essential amino acids which is provided in most cereals and has a vital role in the diets of India and Nepal. It is widely known for making dal. Black gram is an imperative part of exotic cuisines such as stews, soups, curries, bread, and side dishes.
Black gram is clinically referred to as Phaseolus mungo and it’s also popularly known as Urad in India. India is its primary origin and is also primarily grown in Asian countries which includes Pakistan, Myanmar, and parts of southern Asia. About 70% of the world’s black gram production originates from India. An essential component in Indian cuisine, Vigna mungo or even the black gram (often called urad dal in India) is a kind of lentil that is mainly grown within the southern parts of Asia. It is just a hugely nutritious bean that is packed with remarkable health-benefiting qualities. Due to its therapeutic as well as healing qualities, Black gram is essentially utilized in Ayurvedic medication. Black gram can be purchased in the whole form with its skin on, split form with its skin on, or even split form without its skin. Soaking this particular lentil just before cooking will accelerate the cooking time. Additionally, it is locally referred to as Udad dal, Uzhunu (Malayalam), Minumulu (Telegu), Adad dal (Gujarati), Biri Dali (Oriya), Uddina bele (Kanada), Urdu bele (Tulu), Ubuntu, Uluttham Paruppu (Tamil), while marsh (Nepali), d? u mu? ng a (Vietnamese).
History
Black gram is originated in India where it was cultivated from ancient times. Black gram was introduced by Indian immigrants to other topical areas.
Plant
Vigna mungo is densely hairy, erect, suberect, or trailing and annual herb with taproot producing branched root system having smooth and rounded nodules. The plant grows 30 to 100 cm. Leaves are trifoliolate having 3 ovate or rhombic ovate leaflets and measuring 4 to 10 cm by 2.5 to 5 cm. Flowers are small, axillary, and bright yellow in color. Fruit is cylindrical and upright legume pods. Pods are cylindrical, narrow measuring 4 to 6 cm long. Each pod possesses 4 to 10 seeds in ellipsoid shape and is usually black or mottled or grey-black in color.
Nutritional value of Mungo beans, mature seeds, raw
Calories 706 Kcal. Calories from Fat 30.51 Kcal.
| Proximity | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 22.36 g | N/D |
| Energy | 706 Kcal | N/D |
| Energy | 2954 kJ | N/D |
| Protein | 52.18 g | 104.36% |
| Total Fat (lipid) | 3.39 g | 9.69% |
| Ash | 6.96 g | N/D |
| Carbohydrate | 122.11 g | 93.93% |
| Total dietary Fiber | 37.9 g | 99.74% |
| Minerals | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium, Ca | 286 mg | 28.60% |
| Iron, Fe | 15.67 mg | 195.88% |
| Magnesium, Mg | 553 mg | 131.67% |
| Phosphorus, P | 785 mg | 112.14% |
| Potassium, K | 2035 mg | 43.30% |
| Sodium, Na | 79 mg | 5.27% |
| Zinc, Zn | 6.93 mg | 63.00% |
| Copper, Cu | 2.031 mg | 225.67% |
| Manganese, Mn | 3.161 mg | 137.43% |
| Selenium, Se | 17 µg | 30.91% |
| Vitamins | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | 0.273 mg | 22.75% |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.254 mg | 19.54% |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 1.447 mg | 9.04% |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.906 mg | 18.12% |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.281 mg | 21.62% |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 216 µg | 54.00% |
| Folic Acid | 0 µg | N/D |
| Folate, food | 216 µg | N/D |
| Folate, DEF | 216 µg | N/D |
| Fat-soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin A, RAE | 2 µg | 0.29% |
| Vitamin A, IU | 48 IU | N/D |
| Lipids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.236 g | N/D |
| Palmitic acid 16:00 (Hexadecanoic acid) | 0.298 g | N/D |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.176 g | N/D |
| Oleic acid 18:1 (octadecenoic acid) | 0.176 g | N/D |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.217 g | N/D |
| Linoleic acid 18:2 (octadecadienoic acid) | 0.149 g | N/D |
| Linolenic acid 18:3 (Octadecatrienoic acid) | 2.068 g | N/D |
| Amino acids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Tryptophan | 0.544 g | 123.64% |
| Threonine | 1.811 g | 102.90% |
| Isoleucine | 2.664 g | 159.33% |
| Leucine | 4.324 g | 116.99% |
| Lysine | 3.465 g | 103.62% |
| Methionine | 0.76 g | N/D |
| Cystine | 0.484 g | N/D |
| Phenylalanine | 3.049 g | N/D |
| Tyrosine | 1.621 g | N/D |
| Valine | 2.931 g | 138.78% |
| Arginine | 3.399 g | N/D |
| Histidine | 1.461 g | 118.59% |
| Alanine | 2.229 g | N/D |
| Aspartic acid | 6.102 g | N/D |
| Glutamic acid | 8.541 g | N/D |
| Glycine | 2.18 g | N/D |
| Proline | 2.414 g | N/D |
| Serine | 2.747 g | N/D |
| Isoflavones | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Daidzein | 0.02 mg | N/D |
| Genistein | 0.02 mg | N/D |
| Total isoflavones | 0.04 mg | N/D |
| Biochanin A | 0.05 mg | N/D |
| Coumestrol | 0.01 mg | N/D |
*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not healthbenefitstimes.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs. Source: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/
Health benefits of Black gram
Black gram is used as a staple food in India and other parts of the subcontinent for many years. Probably the most well-known and high nutritional bean is Black Gram. This particular gram belongs to the bean family, just like the mung beans species. This really is typically referred to as Urad Dal that is consumed by human beings in nearly every corner of the nation just as one essential part of their daily meal. Urad dal is healthier compared to almost every other bean available for sale. It may be consumed daily since it has numerous incredible qualities that are great for health. Besides its taste, it contains a wide range of nutrients that have a positive impact on health in various ways. Here are some wonderful health benefits of consuming black grams:
- Digestive health
Consumption of Black grams helps to treat health conditions such as constipation, bloating, and indigestion. Black gram has a high content of fiber. Fiber is essential to maintain digestive health. It adds bulk to stools which assist the passage of waste through the intestinal tract. People with constipation should increase their intake of fiber to see a positive difference. It lowers symptoms of constipation, bloating, diarrhea and cramping. The evidence shows that intake of fiber-rich food decreases the chances of diabetes, heart disease, and colon cancer.
- Heart health
Consume black grams and foods rich in fiber to ensure heart health. Evidence shows that foods rich in fiber such as black gram lower the level of blood cholesterol. A high level of cholesterol is the major risk factor in heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis. Besides lowering cholesterol, it contains several nutrients which are beneficial for heart health. Potassium lowers blood pressure as it acts as vasodilator that soothes passage of blood through blood vessels which puts less strain on heart. It contains folate which is associated with lower risk of heart disease. It contains adequate amounts of magnesium and iron which promotes blood circulation in the body.
- Treatment for diabetes
Black gram is rich in fiber which is beneficial to maintain blood sugar levels in check which helps to lower the person becoming diabetic and keeps the symptoms in check. Fiber helps to regulate the absorption of nutrients which maintains balance in glucose and sugar amount in blood. The meal prepared with black gram assist in the prevention of harmful spikes in blood glucose which is commonly experienced by diabetic patients.
- Relieve inflammation
Black gram is used in Ayurvedic medicine as it is able to soothe inflammation and provide relief from pain. Black gram contains a wide range of nutrients that eases internal inflammation and also lowers oxidative stress in the body. Black gram assists internal inflammatory conditions and extracts prepared with black gram is applied topically for dealing painful muscles and joints. Apply it to aching joints to get faster relief. Boil black gram with rock salt and sesame oil for making decoction and apply it to affected areas to lower inflammation and pain caused due to arthritis and joint pain.
- Bone health
Black gram has minerals such as calcium which is beneficial for bone health. Calcium is essential for growth and development due to these young children are given milk from their childhood years. Calcium is essential as personages. As the person ages, we lose bone mineral density which results in weak bones and makes more prone to injury. An adequate amount of calcium and minerals such as magnesium and potassium are essential to make the bones strong and lower the chances of health conditions such as osteoporosis.
- Increase energy
The high content of protein and adequate amount of iron is present in these beans which promotes the level of energy and lowers fatigue. Iron is a crucial mineral for vitality. The deficiency of iron causes mental as well as physical tiredness and fatigue. It also eliminates serious conditions such as anemia and symptoms such as chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, and cognitive impairment.
- Skin health
Black gram in powdered form is used in India to keep the skin looking fresh and make it supple. It as nourishing properties which assist to rejuvenate tired and sallow looking skin. It is useful for treating skin problems such as age spots, sun damage, acne, and wrinkles. It is used for exfoliating skin and when combined with lemon juice, it makes natural bleach which could lighten skin. It is used in Ayurvedic remedies in form of pastes and decoctions for every skin condition. It also soothes the pain of sunburns, lower symptoms of acne, and intensity of the tan.
- Nervous problems
Black gram is helpful for dealing nervous associated problems such as hysteria, nervous weakness memory weakness, and schizophrenia. Though the consumption of black grams could not treat these conditions completely, it could provide relief from these problems. Being a great source of minerals and vitamins, it is helpful to maintain good health and also refresh the mind.
- Build muscles
Black gram is helpful for those who want to improve muscle health. Being a rich source of protein, it is an ideal choice for developing and strengthening whole body by stimulating muscle tissue build. Both men and women are advised to consume black grams daily for improving muscles and keeping them stronger and attractive.
- Treatment for dandruff
Black gram supports hair care and is useful for treating dry, frizzy hair. Use black gram for managing dry brittle hair as it has a high content of fatty acids and minerals which helps to revive hair luster. It also conditions hair and makes it look shiny. In order to treat dandruff, use black gram paste by mixing green gram paste and apply it to hair. This helps to eliminate dandruff and also strengthen, clean, and soften hair.
11. Good for pregnant women
Pregnant women are frequently recommended to include black grams within their diet due to their higher nutritional value. Black gram is really a rich source of iron, that is required for the creation of hemoglobin and increased blood flow. Additionally it is full of protein, dietary fiber as well as nutrition just like folic acid which is not only great for the expecting mother but in addition for the fetus since it works well for avoiding birth defects.
Recipe of Black Gram
1. Black Gram Flour Cake
Ingredients
- Black gram flour – 1 cup
- baking powder – 1 tsp
- Sugar – 1/2 cup
- oil/ Ghee – 1/4 cup
- Cocoa powder – 3 tsp
- Egg – 1
Directions
- Beat the egg till it gets frothy.
- Add sugar and beat again. Add oil/ghee mix again.
- Mix black gram flour, cocoa powder as well as baking powder completely and fold with the egg mixture.
- Add the mixture in the glass bowl, lined with butter paper in the microwave oven for 7-8 mins on medium power and after that grill for 3-4 mins.
- The cake is ready.
2. Black Daal
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup black gram dal
- 1/4 cup green gram dal
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 1 tomato finely chopped
- 1 tsp. ginger garlic paste
- 4 green chilies finely chopped
- 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
- salt to taste
- 3 tbsp. ghee
- 1tsp. chopped coriander
- 1 tsp. each cumin & mustard seeds
- 2 pinches asafoetida
- 1 tsp. sugar
- seasoning:
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cloves
- 1″ cinnamon stick broken
Directions
- Wash dal and pressure cook in 2 cups water. Cool and remove from cooker.
- Mash very lightly using a spoon.
- Heat half the ghee in the deep saucepan.
- Add seeds, asafoetida, and seasoning. Allow to splutter.
- Add ginger garlic paste, fry for the minute.
- Add onions. Fry till light brown. Add tomatoes and green chillies.
- Fry for 2-3 minutes more.
- Add dal, bring to boil.
- Add turmeric, salt, sugar and lemon juice.
- Take in serving dish.
- Heat remaining ghee in a small saucepan.
- Add chopped coriander to the hot ghee and pour over dal immediately.
- Stir gently. Serve with hot parathas or rice.
3. Black gram laddu
Ingredients
- 1 cup – Black gram (skinned)
- 1 cup – jaggery, grated
- 1/2 cup – Ghee
Directions
- Fry Black Gram.
- When it becomes light brown in color, cool it and grind it to a fine powder.
- Mix it with grated jaggery.
- Slowly pour hot ghee over this mixture and mix well.
- Make laddoos of this mixture.
4. Wheat and Black gram Dosa
Ingredients
- 1 cup – Black gram
- 2 cups – wheat flour
- 1 tsp – methi seeds
- 1 tbsp – cooked rice
- salt to taste
Directions
- Soak black gram as well as methi together for 3-4 hours.
- Grind it fine along with water while adding the cooked rice.
- Mix it well with wheat flour adding salt.
- Ferment the batter like you always do for dosa by keeping it in a warm place.
- Make dosa the next day. It’s not only low carb. But additionally delicious.
5. Black Gram Puris
Ingredients
- 250 gms – Black gram
- 250 gms – flour (maida)
- 2 tbsp – hot oil
- 2 to 3 tbsp – oil for frying the dal paste
- enough water
- salt to taste
For Dry Roasting
- 2 – cardamoms (seeds)
- 1 ½ tsp – coriander seeds
- 1 ½ tsp – cumin seeds
- 8 to 10 – peppercorns
- 1 ½ tsp – fennel seeds
- 6 to 8 red dry chilies
- 1 small stick – cinnamon
- 3 to 4 – cloves
Directions
- Clean, wash and soak the urad dal for around 4-6 hours.
- Remove the water and coarsely grind.
- Roast seeds, peppercorns, fennel seeds, and red dry chilies for a couple of minutes on the low flame.
- Grind this to powder. Cool.
- Make stiff dough by mixing flour, 2 tbsp of hot oil, salt to taste and enough water.
- Knead the dough well and cover using a cloth and keep it aside for around 30 minutes.
- In a kadhai add 2-3 tbsp of oil and fry the dal paste until golden in color on the low flame, stirring continuously.
- Remove from fire and cool completely and now add some masala powder and salt to taste.
- Divide the kept aside dough into 15 equal portions.
- Roll each portion into 3 diameter puree.
- Put a heaped tbsp of the urad dal mixture in the centre of the puree.
- Gather the outer edges of the puree and lightly roll out into small purees.
- Fry the purees in hot oil till golden.
- Serve along with aloo the ka sabzi, pickle, and onion kachumber.
How to Store
- Sort the urad dal to eliminate stones and any dirt particles.
- It could be saved indefinitely in the airtight container in a cool, dry location.
- Cooked Black gram ought to be kept in the refrigerator and could be useful for up to 3 or 4 days.
Traditional uses
- Roots are used for abscesses, ostalgia, and inflammations.
- Seed is used to treat anorexia, dyspepsia, constipation, strangury, hemorrhoids, vita, agalactia, neuropathy, and hepatopathy.
- Seeds are used on traditional medicine as abscesses.
- Germinated Black gram is helpful for mild diabetics.
- It eliminates toxins from the body and purifies the system.
- It supports digestive health and is helpful for diarrhea.
- It serves as an emollient and provides a comfy effect on skin.
- Use it as a nervine tonic.
- Take Black gram with honey and gourd juice for 3 to 4 months to cure mild diabetes.
- It is a great supplement for people with malnutrition.
- To treat impotency, take Black gram with honey and wheat bread.
- It is used to heal nervous disorders such as schizophrenia, weakness of memory, hysteria, and nervous weakness.
- Apply the paste of Black gram on hair to eliminate dandruff and cure various hair problems.
- It is used to cure dysentery, gastric catarrh, diarrhea, and dyspepsia.
- Black gram helps to heal stiff shoulder, rheumatic pains, and contracted knee.
- Externally use the oil extracted from pulse for contracted knee, rheumatism and stiff shoulder.
- To treat headaches due to sinus, roast grey sand, black gram, and common salt in a pan. Put it to a cloth bag. Smell this bag close to nostrils and continue it for 10 to 15 minutes. Cover the head while and after smelling. It provides relief from blocked nose and headache caused due to sinus.
Precautions
- Excessive consumption of Black grams causes flatulence and accumulation of excessive gas in the alimentary canal of the human body.
- It could promote uric acid levels in the body so people with gallstones, kidney stones, gout should avoid its consumption.
- Pregnant women who are suffering from constipation should avoid Black grams.
- People who are prone to rheumatic diseases should also avoid it.
How to Eat
- Beans are boiled and consumed whole.
- It is split and made into dal.
- In Punjabi cuisine, it is a vital ingredient for making dal makhani.
- In Bengal, it is used to prepare Biulir Dal.
- In Rajasthan, it is used to make dal which is consumed with bati.
- Dosa batter is prepared from rice and split black gram (dehusked) blended with water and fermented overnight.
- Adai is made by mixing black gram, Moong and Channa dal
- In India, Idli is prepared by steaming batter which consists of rice, black gram, and fenugreek.
- Cook young seedpods and seeds like vegetables.
- Boil the dried seeds and use it in various recipes.
- Make it into a paste or grind it into flour.
- Black gram is used for making Dal Makhani.
Other Facts
- Black gram is a crucial pulse crop cultivated in India which is cultivated in about three million hectares.
- About 1.3 million tonnes of a Black gram are produced in India.
- It is also used as green manure.
- It is a well-known pulse crop in India, Pakistan, Burma, Bangladesh, Ceylon, and Africa.
- In India, Blackgram is grown in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharastra, Punjab, West Bengal, Haryana, and Karnataka.
Modern Agrotechniques for the cultivation of Black gram / Urdbean (Vigna mungo L.)
Importance of Black gram:
1. It is one of the important pulse crops grown throughout India.
2. Generally it is consumed in the form of ‘Dal’.
3. It is the chief constituent of ‘papad, idly, and dosa’
4. For milch cattle, it is used as nutritive fodder.
5. It is also used as a green manuring crop.
6. It controls soil erosion and competes with weeds effectively due to its deep root system and foliage cover.
7. It contains protein (25%), carbohydrates (60%), fat (1.3%) and is rich in phosphoric acid
8. It accounts for 13 % of the area of the total pulse and 10 % of total pulses production in India.
9. It fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil and improves soil fertility.
Climate
1. It is generally grown in Kharif/rainy and summer seasons.
2. It grows best in hot and humid conditions with an ideal temperature range between 25 to 35oC.
3. It can be grown successfully from sea level up to an elevation of 1800 meters.
4. Heavy rains during flowering are harmful.
5. It is best suited to areas having an annual rainfall of 60 to 75 cm.
Soil
1. Black gram does well on heavier soils such as black cotton soils which retain moisture better.
2. It can be grown in all types of soils ranging from sandy loam to heavy clay, except the alkaline and saline soils.
3. Loam or slightly heavy soils with neutral pH are best suited for urban.
4. Soil should be well-drained and have a good water holding capacity.
5. Waterlogged, saline, and alkaline soil should be avoided.
Land preparation
1. Good land preparations are necessary for a better yield of black grams.
2. Land should be plowed in summer followed by two to three harrowing at pre-monsoon for Kharif season.
3. For summer black gram, after harvesting of rabi crops, field prepare with criss-cross moghda once followed by two harrowing
4. Land should be well leveled.
5. Collect the weeds, previous crops stubbles, stones and clean the field for sowing.
6. Mix five to six tons of FYM or compost at last harvesting.
7. If necessary, one pre-sowing irrigation should be given.
Sowing
a. Selection of seed:
1. Seed should be free from insects, pests,s, and diseases.
2. It should be free from any inert matter i.e. dust particles, weed seeds, etc.
3. It should be purchased from Agril. The research station, universities, KVK’s, and registered seed companies /Agri. Service centers/Agriclinics.
4. Seeds should be viable and genetically pure.
b. Method of sowing
1. Sowing should be done in line sowing\drilling method with tractor-drawn ferti-cum-seed drill or by bullock drawn ferti-cum-seed drill/titan.
2. Ferti-cum-seed drill should be used for the application of fertilizers and seed sowing at a time.
3. Seeds should not be sown more than 5 to 6 cm in depth.
c. Time of sowing:
1. Second fortnight of June (15to 30 June) is the proper time of black gram sowing in Kharif season.
2. In summer, sowing should be done from the third week of Feb. to the First week of April.
3. Late sowing should be avoided
d. Seed treatment:
1. Seed should be treated with thiram @ 2.5 g / kg seed
2. It should be treated with rhizobium culture for atmospheric N fixation.
e. Seed rate and spacing
| Season | Seed rate | Spacing |
|---|---|---|
| Kharif | 12 to 15 kg / ha | 30 X 10 cm |
| Summer | 20 to 25 kg / ha | 20-25 X 10 cm |
Varieties
| Sr. No. | Varieties | Duration (Days) | Production (Q/ha) | Characters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | BDU-1 | 70-75 | 10-12 | Bold seed |
| 2. | TAU-1 | 65-70 | 10-12 | Bold seed, Fast growth |
| 3. | TPU-4 | 70-75 | 10-12 | Bold black seed |
| 4. | TAU-2 | 70-75 | 10-12 | Bold seed, suitable for heavy soil |
| 5. | Pant U-35 | 80-85 | 12-15 | Medium black seed, high yielding |
| 6. | Azad-1 | 80-90 | 12-14 | Medium black seed |
| 7. | Naveen | 90-95 | 10-12 | Light yellowish-green colour seed |
| 8. | Pusa-1 | 80-90 | 12-15 | Resistant to yellow mosaic virus |
| 9. | Krishna | 90-100 | 8-10 | Bold seeds |
| 10. | Pant U-30 | 68-75 | 12-15 | Hairy and black pods |
Fertilizer management:
The recommended fertilizer dose for black gram is 20:40:40 kg NPK/ha. Fertilizer dose should be applied as per soil test report.
| Sr. No. | NPK dose (kg/ha) | Fertilizer (kg/ha) | Time of application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 20 kg N | 44 kg Urea | Basal application at the of sowing with ferti-cum-seed drill |
| 2. | 40 kg P | 250 kg SSP | Basal application at the of sowing with ferti-cum-seed drill |
| 3. | 40 kg K | 67 kg MOP | Basal application at the of sowing with ferti-cum-seed drill |
Irrigation management
Irrigation is not needed in the rainy season, but in the summer season irrigation should be given as per critical stages and availability of irrigation water. The number and frequency of irrigation depend upon the soil type and weather. The crop should get irrigation at an interval of 10-15 days. From flowering to the pod development stage, there is a need for sufficient moisture in the field.
Weed management
One or two hands weeding should be done up to 40 days of sowing depending upon the weed intensity. Weeds can be controlled by the use of herbicides i.e. Fluchloralin (Basalin) 1 kg a.i. / ha in 800-1000 liters of water as a pre-planting application.
Disease and insect pest control:
| Sr. No. | Disease / insect pest | Control measure |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | YM virus | Grow resistant varieties like Pusa-1, KM-2. Spray Metasystox & Malathion |
| 2. | Leaf curl | 2-3 sprays of Metasystox at 10 days interval |
| 3. | Seed/seedling rot | Seed treatment with Thiram/carbendazim 2.5 g/kg seed. |
| 4. | Anthracnose | Spray Mancozeb/zineb @2 kg in 1000 lit. of water |
| 5. | Hairy caterpillar | Dusting 2n % methyl parathion @25-30kg/ha |
| 6. | Leafhopper | Basal application of Phorate @10 kg/ha. Spray monocrotophos @1ml/lit.water. |
| 7. | Jassids | Basal application of Phorate @10 kg/ha. Spray monocrotophos @1ml/lit.water. |
Signs of maturity, harvesting & threshing
Pods and plant dried, Grains become hard, and moisture percent in grain at harvesting should be 20-22 %. Pod shattering is a common problem in pulse. Therefore picking should be done as soon as pods mature. Harvesting should be done 2-3 pickings. The pods or whole crop after complete drying should be threshed manually or by machine.
Yield
A well-managed crop, as indicated above, may produce 12 to 15 quintals of grain per hectare.
Farmers Says There is A Drop in Black Gram Yield
Tamil Nadu: There is a fall in yield in black gram owing to scanty rainfall says, farmers. In irrigated fields in Velukudi, Kombu, and Neermangalam the crop has been raised. But there is depletion in the groundwater table because of the failure of the monsoon.
A farmer of Velukudi told that he had incurred an expenditure of Rs. 12,000 an acre and in three acres he raised the ADT 5 variety. He could realize only 150 kg against the normal yield of 4,000 kg per acre. These farmers pleaded for adequate compensation from the state government.
In the district mainly as a rice-fallow crop in Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai blocks, black gram had been raised on about 45,000 hectares. Normally the average yield was about 450 kg per hectare but because of the poor rainfall, the yield had been affected very much.
Normally the crop is usually raised during April in 85 to 90 days. In last year, due to timely showers, the yield was highly appreciable. But the summer showers had failed this year and it is resulting in a fall in yield.
The yield would even go up to one tonne a hectare under irrigated condition. The black gram yield is badly affected due to depletion in groundwater.
Source:http://www.thehindu.com/
Eight Steps to Get High Production of Black Gram
Step 1. Field Preparation: Prepare the land to fine tilth and form beds and channels.
Amendments for soil surface crusting: To tide over the soil surface crusting apply lime at the rate of 2t /ha along with FYM at 12.5 t/ha or composted coir pith at 12.5 t/ha to get an additional yield of about 15 – 20%.
Step 2. Seed Rate: Optimum plant population 3,25,000/ha
Step 3. Seed Treatment:
Seed treatment will protect the seedlings from seed-borne pathogens, root-rot, and seedlings diseases. So treat the seeds with Carbendazim or Thiram 2 g/kg of seed 24 hours before sowing (or) with talc formulation of Trichoderma viride @ 4g/kg of seed (or) Pseudomonas fluorescens 10 g/kg seed. Biocontrol agents are compatible with biofertilizers. First, treat the seeds with Biocontrol agents and then with Rhizobium. Fungicides and biocontrol agents are incompatible.
Seed Treatment with Biofertiizer: Treat the seeds with 3 packets (600 g/ha) of Rhizobial culture CRU-7 + 3 packets (600 g/ha) of PGPR and 3 packets (600 g/ha) of Phosphobacteria developed at TNAU using rice kanji as a binder. If the seed treatment is not carried out apply 10packets of Rhizobium (2000 g/ha) + 10 packets of PGPR (2000 g/ha) and 10 packets (2000 g) of Phosphobacteria with 25 kg of FYM and 25 kg of the soil before sowing.
Step 4. Fertilizer Application:
Apply fertilizers basally before sowing.
Rainfed: 12.5 kg N + 25 kg P2O5 + 12.5 kg K2O +10 kg S*/ha
Irrigated: 25 kg N + 50 kg P2O5 + 25 kg K2O + 20 kg S*/ha
Applied in the form of gypsum if Single Super Phosphate is not applied as a source of phosphorus
Soil application of 25 kg ZnSo4/ha under irrigated condition. Soil application of micronutrient mixture @ 5 kg/ha as Enriched FYM (Prepare enriched FYM at 1:10 ratio of MN mixture & FYM; mix at friable moisture & incubate for one month in shade).
Step 5. Sowing of Seeds:
For irrigated crop dibble the seeds adopt 30 x 10 cm spacing.
For rainfed crop dibble, the seeds adopt 25 cm x 10 cm spacing.
Step 6. Water Management:
Irrigate immediately after sowing, followed by life irrigation on the third day. Irrigate at intervals of 7to 10 days depending upon soil and climatic conditions. Flowering and pod formation stages are critical periods when irrigation is a must. Avoid water stagnation at all stages. Apply KCl at 0.5 percent as a foliar spray during the vegetative stage if there is moisture stress.
Step 7. Spraying of Diammonium Phosphate or Urea, NAA, and Salicylic Acid:
Foliar spray of NAA 40 mg/lt and Salicylic acid 100 mg/lt once at pre-flowering and another at 15 days thereafter.
For rice fallow crops foliar spray of DAP 20 g/lt once at flowering and another at 15 days thereafter. For irrigated and rainfed crops, foliar spray of DAP 20 g/litre or Urea 20 g/litre once at flowering and another at 15 days thereafter.
Foliar spray of salicylic acid 100 mg/liter once at pre-flowering and another at 15 days thereafter.
Step 8. Weed Management:
Pre-emergence application of Pendimethalin 3.3 liters/ha under irrigated condition 2.5 liters/ha under the rainfed condition on 3 days after sowing using Backpack/ Knapsack/Rocker sprayer fitted with flat fan nozzle using 500 liters of water for spraying one ha followed by one hand weeding at 20 DAS (or) EPOE application of quizalofop ethyl @ 50 g ai/ha-1 and imazethapyr @ 50 g ai ha-1 on 15 – 20 DAS. If herbicides are not applied give two hand weedings on 15 and 30 days after sowing.
For the irrigated black gram PE isoproturon @ 0.5 kg ha-1 followed by one hand weeding on 30 DAS.
Source:http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/
Black Gram: Black Gram Sowing is in Progress Briskly
Hopes among the farmers were raised because of excess rain in the Prakasam district which is in Andhra Pradesh. Farmer hopes to get some decent returns at least during Kharif season this year and make good their losses incurred due to drought.
In the case of some crops like black gram, red gram, groundnut, chilies, etc. sowing is in progress briskly. “The crop coverage is likely to surpass the normal extent of 2.35 lakh hectares,” said J. Muralikrishna, Agriculture Joint Director. Going by the prediction of the Met Department of 106 percent rainfall in the district, where Kharif and rabi seasons overlaps every year.
He said that, there is no shortage of seeds in the district, the department had positioned so far 7,000 quintals of seeds, including red gram (1,494 QTL), Sunhemp (1,416 QTL), green gram (1,396 QTL), black gram (208 QTL), as against the allotment of 17,878 QTL of subsidized seeds and if the situation warrants then they will procure an additional quantity of seeds.
Prakasam District Agricultural Advisory and Transfer of Technology Centre (DATTC) released 10 new seed varieties coinciding with the Kharif cropping season.
DATTC scientist O. Sharadha suggested the new red gram varieties LRG 104, LRG 105, and LRG 160 would be ideal for sowing during Kharif by farmers to avert pest attack, and adding ryots could also go for black gram variety GBG1 and green gram variety GGG1.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com/
Black Gram: Now a Days Black Gram Cultivation Looks Advantageous
In the delta areas of the Tiruchi district, the recent market prices of a black gram have encouraged farmers to raise the crop under irrigated conditions.
This indicates a shift in the cropping pattern adopted by farmers, who are from the canal irrigated delta areas of the district, says officials of the Agriculture Department.
Generally, after cultivating samba paddy, the farmers go for a single black gram or gingelly crop, but now this time, in the filter point areas farmers have chosen a second black gram crop during summer. In other parts of the district under rainfed conditions, the Black gram is raised.
Official says that the normal area under irrigated summer black gram in the delta area of the district is around 300 hectares and gingelly about 2000 ha. But due to the sudden spike in the black gram price, which is currently ruling at more than Rs.100 per kg up by about Rs.30 a kg from the same period last year, more farmers have opted for the crop.
This summer, the area under irrigated gingelly has come down to 700 ha and the area under irrigated black gram is more than 1200 ha whereas. Most of the farmers in villages like Anbil, Komakudi, Kattur, Namakkal, and Sathamangalam have cultivated VBN-6 black gram variety popularised by Agricultural Department, but these villages are traditional gingelly growing areas of the district.
Officials said, VBN-6 black gram variety is highly resistant to yellow mosaic virus disease, a dreaded disease in summer black gram which affects the yield drastically, has synchronized flowering and pod setting and comes to harvest in 70 days. This characteristic of the variety has encouraged the farmers to go for the variety.
The department has distributed certified seeds of the VBN-6 black gram variety with a subsidy of Rs.25 per kg under the National Food Security Mission – Pulses (NFSM) through the agricultural extension centers in the current year.
Officials are popularising the DAP foliar spray technology among farmers to provide adequate nutrients for the crop to boost the yield of black grams.
Source:http://www.thehindu.com/
IMARC Report for Setting up a Black Gram Processing Plant
The International Market Analysis Research and Consulting Group is a leading adviser on management strategy and market research worldwide. IMARC is one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms.
IMARC Group in its latest study provided detailed information about the global black gram market and the various requirements to set up a black gram processing plant.
The analysis includes details about market trends, machinery, manufacturing process, land requirements, market size, profit margins, feedstock requirements, machinery requirements, etc. This study covers all the requisite aspects of the Black Gram industry.
IMARC’s latest study “Black Gram Market – Industry Trends, Manufacturing Process, Plant Setup, Machinery, Raw Materials, Cost and Revenue” provides a techno-commercial roadmap for setting up a Black Gram processing plant.
Source:http://www.pressreleaserocket.net
Summer Sun Affects Black Gram and Delta Paddy Crops
Farmers were encouraged to take up summer paddy and pulses as the last monsoon season was heavy which recharged the groundwater level.
In Tamil Nadu, unforgiving heat is forcing the black gram farmers to increase the frequency of irrigation. From once in 10 days, they are now watering the fields once in 6-7 days.
Black gram – is cultivated in only around 2,000 hectares at present, this area under cultivation is expected to go up to 15,000 hectares in this Chithiraipattam. Black gram as it is expected to fetch them Rs.13, 000 per 100 kg.
The moisture is evaporating quickly due to the heatwave this year so farmers have to irrigate the fields once in two days using bore wells.
The normal area under summer paddy cultivation has seen an increase this year. This year near about 37 percent excess rainfall happened in last North-East Monsoon. This excess rainfall brought up the average groundwater level to 3.58 meters below the ground level.
Source:http://www.newindianexpress.com
High Yield from Black Gram Farming in Kerala
In Kerala group of enthusiastic farmers has proved that sates climatic conditions are favorable for the cultivation of black gram. A group of 15 women, engaged in works under the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme successfully raised the leguminous pulse crop.
The group took up black gram cultivation on a trial basis on four cents of land and found it successful. The harvest was made after one and half months of sowing. After getting good returns from the black gram crop they have raised a second crop and are awaiting harvest.
Black gram is generally cultivated in States such as Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. Due to the higher market value of the crop, the area under the black gram cultivation is increasing.
Source:http://www.thehindu.com/
BARC’s Black Gram Seeds Getting Popular Among Farmers
The Agriculture Department had procured a variety of seeds from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, that are resistant to the yellow mosaic virus (YMMV) and had given them to a few farmers so that they can be sown and more seeds produced. Impressed by the resistance of TU- 40 variety of black gram more farmers want the seeds.
Farmer G. Bhaskaran of Sozhampoondi village in Villupuram district, who got five kilos of the BARC variant, said that not even one plant got the bug that the crop is notorious for.
Though he and his neighbors were skeptical when they first sowed the seeds, they were doubly happy with the harvest. An official in the agriculture department explained that now around 360 kilos of urad dhal have been given back to the department so that it can be used as seed. Around 18 hectares could be cultivated using this quantity.
The YMMV is a huge problem when it comes to urad dhal and many times, even up to 50 percent of the crop has been damaged. Another farmer said “The virus does not allow the pod to form. We can only prevent the spread of the bug but not repair the damage it causes. This variety also seemed to be water-resistant. The crop stood in water for over two weeks but managed to give such a good harvest.”
An official of the agriculture department informed that “The farmers were impressed by the yield of the plants and their resistance to the bug. We will now cultivate these seeds and get more seeds and then take them to more villages. Along with eliminating the bug, it will help increase pulse production.” The seed had been earlier tried out in Tirunelveli district and there too the harvest was very good.
Sources in the BARC informed that the TU-94-2 variety had been released and notified for Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka. Farmers in other states have been using the seeds for over a decade now since the plant grows like a creeper.
Source:http://www.thehindu.com/
High Demand for Organic Black Gram in Tamil Nadu
In the last year, there was an acute shortage of black grams in the open market. The black gram cultivation has been taken up by the farmers extensively across the tail-end delta. As the overall demand for black grams has increased, farmers are encouraged to grow cash crops.
The black gram cultivated through organic methods has been receiving good response from the urban populace of the State than their inorganic counterparts. Farmers here said that the demands for such consumer-friendly black gram are such that they could not address the towering demands coming up from neighboring States.
According to the district agriculture department, it is said that the black gram and green gram cultivation are extensively taken up across 85,500 hectares majority being in Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi, and Kuthalam areas.
Black gram cultivation strengthens the soil nutrients as black grams are known for imparting nitrogen content to the soil.
Since the production of black gram has been facing a downfall leading to towering demands, the organic farmers here exploiting the heavy demands have constituted an organic pest repellent cum fertilizer for preventing pest attack and also to enhance the black gram yield for matching the demands.
As a kilogram of inorganic black gram fetches Rs. 120, the organically grown black gram has been fetching Rs.175 per kilogram. Farmers despite the heavy prices for organic black gram produce reasoned that batter made of organic black gram was found denser than the batter made with inorganic black gram.
Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com
Introduction
Black gram (Phaseolus mungo Roxb.,) is a highly prized pulse, very rich in phosphoric acid. It is also used in preparing papad (a kind of wafer) and barian (spiced balls of ground dal) and together with rice in preparing dosa and idli. The main areas of production are Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Requirement
Climate
It is grown as a rainfed crop in the warm plains as well as in the cool hills, up to an altitude of 2,000 meters. The cooking quality of black gram produced in the hills or in moist climates is claimed to be better.
Soil
It prefers water retentive, stiff loamy, or heavy soils, and does well on both black cotton soils and brown alluviums.
Varieties
‘T 9’, ‘T 27’, ‘T 77’, ‘No. 55’, ‘Khargone-3’, ‘Mash-48’, ‘G 31’, ‘Pusa-1’, ‘H 10’, ‘UPU-1′,’ UPU-2′, T.P.U.-4, T.A.U.-1, T.A.U-2
Cultivation
For the pure crop in the Kharif season, the land is plowed once or twice and harrowed to obtain a rough tilth. The crop can be sown dry in furrows in between the rows of the previous crop, followed by irrigation.
Sowing
The sowing may be done either in February (early spring) or June-July (rainy season) or October-November (autumn), depending on climatic and agricultural conditions and the variety grown. The seed rate is 10-15kg ha.
Fertilizer
Manuring with 25-40kg per ha of phosphorus (P2O5) and 25kg per ha of nitrogen (N) should be given at the time of sowing. Also seed treatment with biofertilizer viz. Rhizobium at the rate of 25gram per kg of seed is beneficial.
Irrigation
Being Kharif crop black gram is not required irrigation unless there is a dry spell during the Kharif season. Irrigation should be given according to soil type. The irrigation interval should be 8-10 days in summer. Flowering and pod filling are the critical stages for irrigation.
Plant protection
Pests
Aphids
The nymphs and adults suck the sap. The affected leaves turn yellow, get wrinkled and distorted. The insect also exudes honeydew on which fungus develops, rapidly covers the plant with sooty mold that interferes with the photosynthetic activity of the plant.
Control
Spraying with 0.05% Endosulfan, 0.02% Phosphamidon, 0.03% Dimethoate, Methyl demeton, or Thiometon control the pest effectively.
Thrips
The adults and nymphs feed on leaves. They scrape the epidermis and such the oozing sap. As a result, light brown patches appear on infested leaves. The affected leaves curl and become dry.
Control
Spraying with 0.05% Endosulfan, 0.02% Phosphamidon, 0.03% Dimethoate, Methyl demeton, or Thiometon control the pest effectively.
Pod borer
Caterpillars feed on tender foliage and young pods. They make holes in the pods and feed on developing seeds by inserting the anterior half portion of their body inside the pods.
Control
In the early stage of the attack handpicking of the caterpillars and their destruction. Plowing fields after the harvest of crops would expose the pupae, which would be destroyed by birds. Spraying the crop with 0.05% Quinalphos or Fenitrohion can successfully control the pest. Spray with HaNPV @ 250 LE/ha.
Disease
Leaf spot
Angular brown or red spots, with grey or brown center and reddish-purple border on left, stalk, and pods
Control
Spray with Bordeaux mixture (5:5:50) or 0.2% Ziram.
Powdery mildew
White powdery patches on leaves and other green parts, later become dull-colored and are studded with a black dot.
Control
Dust the crop with finely powdered sulfur (200-mesh) @ 20kg/ha.
Harvesting and yield
To avoid the loss because of the shattering of pods, the crop is harvested before it is dead ripe. One or two rounds of the picking of pods are also recommended to avoid losses because of the shattering. The plants are uprooted or cut with a sickle, are dried on the threshing floor for a week or ten days and threshed by beating with sticks, and are winnowed with baskets. The average yield of grain from pure crop varieties is from 5-6q per ha, whereas yields up to 10-15q per ha.
References
