Introduction

The black bean, scientifically known as Vigna mungo, is an ancient legume with roots deep in the heart of India, where it is more commonly referred to as Urdbean. This crop holds a significant place in the agricultural landscape, particularly in South Asia, where it is widely grown for its edible seeds. Its cultivation has expanded globally due to its adaptability to various climates and soil types, making it a vital crop in diverse farming systems.

Nutritional Benefits of Black Beans

Black beans are not just a staple food; they are a powerhouse of nutrition. Rich in proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, they are an essential component of a balanced diet, particularly in vegetarian and vegan cuisines.

Nutritive Value of Black Beans

Protein	24%
Carbohydrates	59.6%
Fat	1.4%
Fibre	0.9%
Mineral	3.2%
Calcium	154mg/100mg
Iron	9.1mg/100mg
Phosphorus	385mg/100mg
Calorific Value	347Kcal/100g
Moisture	10.9%

State-Wise Recommended Varieties

To optimize yields and ensure crop resilience, specific varieties of black beans are recommended for cultivation across different states in India. The following table outlines the top-performing varieties in various regions.

State	Kharif	Rabi	Spring/Summer
Andhra Pradesh	Pant Urd-31, IPU 2-43, LBG 685, LBG 625	TU 94-2, LBG 623, LBG 709, LBG 611	TU 94-2, LBG 623, LBG 709, LBG 611
Assam	PU-30, WBU-108, IPU 94-1 (Uttara)	–	–
Bihar & Jharkhand	Pant Urd 31, WBU 108, IPU 94-1 (Uttara), Birsa Urd 1, PU-30	–	Pant Urd 31, WBU-109, KU 91-2 (AZAD Urd 1)
Gujarat	KU 96-3, TPU-4, AKU-4 (Melghat), GU-1, KUG-479, GU-1, Mash 414	–	–
Haryana	KU 300 (Shekhar 2), IPU 94-1	–	–
Himachal Pradesh	Pant Urd 31, Pant Urd 40	–	–
Karnataka	IPU 2-43, WBU-108, KU-301, LBG 402	IPU 2-43, WBU-108, KU-301	–
Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh	Pant Urd-30, JU-3, KU 96-3, TPU-4, JU-2, Kharange-3	Pant Urd 31	Pant Urd 31
Maharashtra	KU 96-3, TPU-4, AKU-4 (Melghat), AKU-15	–	–
Odisha	IPU 2-43, WBU-108, KU-301	B-3-8-8, OBG-17, Mash 338	B-3-8-8, OBG 17, Mash 338
Punjab	WBU 108, IPU 94-1 (Uttara), Mash 338, Mash 414	–	KU 300 (Shekhar 2), KUG 479
Rajasthan	Pant Urd 31, WBU 108, IPU 94-1 (Uttara)	–	KU 300 (Shekhar 2), KUG 479
Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand	Pant Urd 31, WBU 108, IPU 94-1 (Uttara)	–	KU 300, WBU 109, KU 91 (Azad Urd 2) KUG-479, Narendra Urd 1
Tamil Nadu	IPU 02-43, Vamban-4, Vamban-7	Vamban-3, TU 94-2	Vamban-3, TU 94-2, Vamban 5, Vamban 2
West Bengal	Pant Urd 31, WBU 108, IPU 94-1 (Uttara)	Pant Urd-31, WBU 109, KU 91-2 (AZAD Urd 1)	WBU 109, KU 91-2 (AZAD Urd 1)

Source: Seednet GOI, Min. of Agri. & FW, & ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur

Climate Essentials

As a crop native to tropical regions, black beans thrive best in hot and humid climates. It is primarily a warm-weather crop. In the northern regions of the country, where winter temperatures can be quite low, black beans are typically cultivated during the rainy and summer seasons. In the eastern states, they are also grown in the winter. In central and southern regions, where the climate remains relatively stable throughout the year, black beans are cultivated during both the winter and rainy seasons.

Soil and Land Preparation

Black gram can be cultivated on a range of soils, from sandy types to heavy cotton soils. However, the most suitable soil for its growth is a well-drained loam with a pH between 6.5 and 7.8. It is not suitable for cultivation on alkaline or saline soils. The land preparation for black gram is similar to that for other Kharif season pulses. However, during the summer season, it requires thorough preparation to ensure the soil is finely pulverized and entirely free of stubbles and weeds.

Sowing Time and Methods

Kharif: Sowing during the Kharif season begins with the onset of the monsoon, typically in late June or early July.

Rabi: For the Rabi season, sowing occurs in the second half of October in upland areas and in the second half of November for rice fallows.

Summer: Sowing can be done between the third week of February and the first week of April. Seeds should be sown in furrows spaced 20-25 cm apart, and a seed drill can be used for this purpose.

Seed Rate and Spacing

Kharif Season: 

In Kharif, the recommended seed rate is 20-25 kg per hectare. Seeds are spaced 30-45 cm apart between rows and 10-15 cm within rows, allowing ample space for the plants to spread and access sunlight.

Rabi Season:

For Rabi, the seed rate is slightly higher at 25-30 kg per hectare due to lower plant vigour in cooler temperatures. The spacing remains consistent with Kharif.

Summer Season: 

In the summer, a seed rate of 30-35 kg per hectare is used, with closer spacing to maximize yield in a shorter growing season.

Seed Treatment Protocols

Treat the seeds with Thirum (2g) and Carbendazim (1g) or use Carbendazim at a rate of 2.5 g/kg of seed to protect against soil-borne and seed-borne diseases. To manage sucking pests, treat the seeds with Imidacloprid 70 WS at 7g/kg of seed. Additionally, it’s beneficial to treat the seeds with Rhizobium and PSB cultures at 5-7 g/kg of seed.

Cropping Systems

Black beans are versatile and can be grown as a sole crop or intercropped with cereals, oilseeds, or other pulses. The most common cropping systems include:

1. Maize-Potato-Urd bean
2. Maize-Toria-Urd bean
3. Rice-Wheat-Urd bean
4. Urd bean-Mustard-Mung bean/Urd bean
5. Potato-Wheat-Urd bean

Intercropping Techniques

Intercropping black beans with crops like maize, sorghum, or groundnut maximizes land use efficiency and reduces pest incidence. In such systems, black beans are planted in alternate rows or mixed with the main crop, promoting mutual benefits like improved soil fertility and pest control.

Kharif season: Urd bean and Pigeonpea (1:1 ratio)

Spring season: Urd bean with Sugarcane (2:1 ratio); Urd bean with Sunflower (2:6 ratio)

Fertilizer Management

• For sole cropping, apply 15-20 kg/ha of Nitrogen, 40-50 kg/ha of Phosphorus, 30-40 kg/ha of Potash, and 20 kg/ha of Sulphur during the final ploughing. However, adjust the phosphatic and potassic fertilizers according to soil test results. Apply fertilizers by drilling at sowing time or just before, ensuring they are placed 5-7 cm below the seed. Additionally, using gypsum at 100 kg/ha will provide calcium and sulphur cost-effectively.

Micro and Secondary Nutrients

1. Sulphur:
   • For medium black and sandy loam soils, apply 20 kg S/ha (154 kg gypsum/phospho-gypsum or 22 kg bentonite sulphur) as basal.
   • For red sandy loam soils with S deficiency, apply 40 kg S/ha (300 kg gypsum/phospho-gypsum or 44 kg bentonite sulphur).

1. Zinc:
   • Red sandy and loamy soils: 2.5 kg Zn/ha (12.5 kg zinc sulfate heptahydrate or 7.5 kg zinc sulfate monohydrate).
   • Black soils: 1.5 to 2.0 kg Zn/ha (7.5 to 10 kg zinc sulfate heptahydrate or 4.5 to 6.0 kg zinc sulfate monohydrate).
   • Laterite, medium, and alluvial soils: 2.5 kg Zn/ha (12.5 kg zinc sulfate heptahydrate or 7.5 kg zinc sulfate monohydrate) plus 200 kg farmyard manure.
   • High organic carbon Tarai soils: 3.0 kg Zn/ha (15 kg zinc sulfate heptahydrate or 9 kg zinc sulfate monohydrate) every three years.
   • Low organic carbon and hilly sandy loam soils: 2.5 kg Zn/ha (12.5 kg zinc sulfate heptahydrate or 7.5 kg zinc sulfate monohydrate) every alternate year. 
2. Manganese:For manganese-deficient sandy loam soils, use a 2% manganese sulfate seed soak or a 1% foliar spray.
3. Molybdenum:In molybdenum-deficient soils, apply 0.5 kg sodium molybdate/ha as basal or use two foliar sprays of 0.1% sodium molybdate, or treat seeds.

Water Management 

During the kharif season, irrigation isn’t necessary if rainfall is adequate, but if there’s a moisture deficit during the pod formation stage, irrigation should be applied. In summer, 3-4 irrigations are needed based on the crop’s requirements, usually at intervals of 10-15 days. It’s crucial to ensure the field has enough moisture from the flowering stage through to pod development.

Weed Control

Weed control requires one or two hand weedings within the first 40 days after sowing, depending on the weed pressure. Chemical control is also effective; apply Pendimethalin at 0.75-1.00 kg active ingredient per hectare in 400-600 liters of water as a pre-emergence treatment.

Plant Protection Strategies

Key Diseases and Control:

1. Yellow Mosaic Virus (MYMV):
   • Symptoms: Yellow mosaic spots on leaves, leading to reduced flowering, pod development, and potential plant death.
   • Control: Remove infected plants, spray with triazophos, malathion, or oxydemeton methyl every 10-15 days, and grow resistant varieties like IPU 94-1 or Shekhar 3.
2. Powdery Mildew:
   • Symptoms: White powdery spots on leaves, stems, and pods, causing premature maturity and yield loss.
   • Control: Practice clean cultivation, delayed sowing, use resistant varieties like COBG10, and spray with NSKE, neem oil, eucalyptus extract, or sulphur-based fungicides.
3. Leaf Blight:
   • Symptoms: Seed rot and blight, with dark brown patches on the stem, favored by warm and moist conditions.
   • Control: Apply zinc sulphate or neem cake at sowing, uproot and destroy infected plants, and spray with Carbendazim every 15 days.

Insect-Pest Management

1. Aphids:
   • Damage: Nymphs and adults infest young plants, leaflets, stems, and pods, causing leaf twisting and attracting sooty mold.
   • Control: Spray with 5% crude neem extract, 2% neem oil, Dimethoate 30 EC, or Imidacloprid 17.8 SL. Conserve natural predators like coccinellid beetles and Chrysoperla.
2. Tobacco Caterpillar:
   • Damage: Larvae create irregular holes on leaves and skeletonize foliage, leading to severe damage, especially in young plants.
   • Control: Collect and destroy egg masses and larvae. Spray microbial pesticides like SlNPV or Bacillus thuringiensis, Malathion 50 EC, or Novaluron 10 EC. Use custard apple extract as a feeding deterrent.
3. Spotted Pod Borer:
   • Damage: Larvae feed on flowers, buds, and pods, causing significant seed loss.
   • Control: Spray Bacillus thuringiensis, Profenophos 50 EC, or Spinosad 45 SC. Physically shake infested plants over oily water to reduce larvae.
4. Pod Bug:
   • Damage: Adults and nymphs suck sap from leaves, buds, stems, and pods, leading to shriveled grains and yield loss.
   • Control: Physically shake infested plants over oily water. Spray Monocrotophos 36 SL during flowering and pod formation.

Harvesting, Threshing, and Storage

Harvest urd when 70-80% of the pods have matured and turned black to avoid shattering. After harvesting, dry the crop on the threshing floor for a few days before threshing manually or using bullocks. Sun-dry the clean seeds for 3-4 days to reduce moisture content to 8-10% for safe storage.

Estimating the Yield

The yield of black beans varies depending on the variety, soil type, and management practices. A well-managed urd crop can yield 12-15 quintals of grain per hectare.

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