Cultivation of Mung Bean (Green Gram / Moong). Mung Bean Cultivation

Origin:

Mung bean (Vigna radiata) is believed to have originated in India, where it has been cultivated since ancient times for its nutritional and medicinal properties. It is one of the earliest domesticated legumes. From India, it spread to Southeast Asia, East Asia, and other tropical and subtropical regions of the world, adapting well to different climatic zones and cultural practices.

Geographical Distribution in India:

Major mung bean-producing states include Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. Rajasthan is the leading state in terms of area and production, contributing significantly to the national output. It is also grown in pockets of Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, and Punjab under different cropping systems and climatic conditions.

Economic Importance:

Mung bean is one of the most important pulse crops in India. It is mainly used as split dal (moong dal), whole green gram for sprouts, and in various traditional Indian dishes. It is highly valued for its high protein content (about 24%), dietary fiber, low fat, and essential minerals such as iron, magnesium, and potassium. Mung bean is ideal for vegetarians and helps combat malnutrition. Its short duration makes it suitable for multiple cropping systems, and its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen improves soil health and fertility, thus contributing to sustainable agriculture.

Soil and Climatic Requirements:

• Soil: Well-drained sandy loam to loamy soils with good organic matter content and a neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.5 are ideal. Avoid waterlogged, saline, or heavy clay soils.
• Climate: It is a warm-season crop that thrives in temperatures between 25°C and 35°C and requires 500–750 mm of well-distributed rainfall. Mung bean is sensitive to frost, waterlogging, and prolonged cloudy weather, especially during flowering and pod development stages.

Land Preparation:

Prepare the land with one deep ploughing followed by 2–3 harrowings to achieve a fine tilth and good soil aeration. Incorporate well-decomposed FYM or compost at 10–15 t/ha to enhance soil fertility. The field should be leveled to ensure uniform irrigation and prevent water stagnation, which can damage the roots.

Varieties Developed in India:

• K 851
• Pusa Vishal
• Pusa 9531
• SML 668
• Samrat
• Meha (IPM 99-125)
• PDM 11
• SML 832
• IPM 02-03

Seed Requirement:

• Sole crop: 12–15 kg/ha
• Intercrop: 8–10 kg/ha depending on row proportion

Sowing Time:

• Kharif: June to July (with onset of monsoon)
• Rabi (South India): October to November
• Summer: March to April (after harvest of rabi crops like wheat or potato)

Cropping Systems:

• Intercropping: Moong + maize, moong + sorghum, moong + cotton
• Sequential cropping: Moong followed by wheat, rice, or mustard
• Mixed cropping: With urdbean, groundnut, or sunflower in certain regions

Fertilizer Requirements:

Apply a basal dose of fertilizers per hectare:

• Nitrogen (N): 15–20 kg
• Phosphorus (P₂O₅): 40–50 kg
• Potassium (K₂O): 20 kg (if deficient)

Treat seeds with Rhizobium culture and PSB (phosphate solubilizing bacteria) to enhance nitrogen fixation and phosphorus uptake. Foliar spray of 2% DAP or 1% urea at flowering may improve pod set and grain filling.

Water Requirements:

Mung bean is mainly grown under rainfed conditions, but it responds well to protective irrigation during critical growth stages. Generally, 1–2 irrigations are needed during dry spells. The most critical stages for irrigation are flowering and pod formation. Avoid excess irrigation to prevent root rot and yellowing.

Weed Management:

• First hand weeding at 20–25 days after sowing (DAS)
• Second weeding at 40 DAS if necessary
• Pre-emergence herbicide: Pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha within 2 days of sowing
• Mulching with crop residue can reduce weed emergence and conserve moisture

Diseases and Their Management:

• Yellow Mosaic Virus (YMV): Use resistant varieties like PDM 11 and SML 668; control whitefly (vector) with Imidacloprid or Thiamethoxam
• Powdery Mildew: Spray Sulphur 0.2% or Carbendazim 0.1% at first appearance
• Cercospora Leaf Spot: Control with Mancozeb 0.2% or Chlorothalonil sprays

Insect Pests and Their Management:

• Aphids and Whiteflies: Spray Imidacloprid 0.3 ml/l or Thiamethoxam 0.25 g/l
• Thrips: Spray Fipronil or Neem-based biopesticides as needed
• Pod borer: Use Spinosad 0.3 ml/l or Emamectin benzoate 0.4 g/l during flowering and pod formation

Harvesting and Threshing:

Harvest when about 80% of the pods turn black and become dry and brittle. Delayed harvesting may lead to shattering losses. Uproot or cut plants manually or mechanically, and sun-dry them for 4–5 days. Threshing can be done by beating with sticks, trampling under feet, or using mechanical threshers. Clean and winnow the grains thoroughly before storage.

Yield:

• Rainfed conditions: 8–10 q/ha
• Irrigated with improved practices: 12–18 q/ha, sometimes reaching up to 20 q/ha under ideal conditions

Post-Harvest Operations:

After threshing, clean the grains to remove chaff, dust, and other impurities. Dry the seeds to a safe storage moisture level of 10–12%. Store the seeds in clean, dry, insect-proof containers such as gunny bags, metallic bins, or HDPE bags. Use neem leaves or safe fumigants to prevent pest infestation. Moong dal is obtained by milling, and the quality of dal depends on proper processing. Packaging in moisture-proof and pest-resistant materials helps maintain quality during transport and storage.