Redgram cultivation best practices

Question

Anurag Gupta · Accepted Answer

Redgram (Pigeon pea or Cajanus cajan) is a drought-resistant leguminous crop widely cultivated in semi-arid regions. To maximize yield, follow these best practices for redgram cultivation:

1. Selection of Variety
Choose a suitable variety based on the growing region and desired maturity period:
Short-duration varieties: ICPL 87, Pusa Ageti.
Medium-duration varieties: LRG 41, ICPL 88039.
Long-duration varieties: Bahar, Maruti.
Use certified, disease-free seeds.
2. Climate and Soil
Requires semi-arid to subtropical climates with 25-30°C temperatures.
Well-drained, medium to deep loamy or black soils are ideal.
Soil pH: 6.0–7.5.
Perform soil testing to ensure the soil has adequate phosphorus and potassium.
3. Seed Treatment
Treat seeds with Rhizobium and Phosphobacteria cultures to enhance nitrogen fixation and phosphorus availability.
To control fungal diseases, treat seeds with Carbendazim or Trichoderma at 2-3 g/kg of seeds.
4. Land Preparation
Prepare the land with one deep plowing followed by two harrowings.
Ensure the soil is free of weeds and has good tilth.
5. Sowing
Time:
June-July for Kharif season.
October-November for Rabi (in irrigated areas).
Spacing:
Row-to-row: 60–75 cm.
Plant-to-plant: 15–20 cm.
Seed rate:
15–20 kg/ha (depends on variety and spacing).
6. Nutrient Management
Basal dose:
Apply 20 kg Nitrogen (N), 50 kg Phosphorus (P), and 20 kg Potash (K) per hectare before sowing.
Apply well-decomposed farmyard manure (FYM) or compost (5–10 tons/ha) during land preparation.
7. Irrigation
Requires 1–2 irrigations during flowering and pod formation, especially in rainfed conditions.
Avoid waterlogging as it leads to root rot.
8. Weed Management
Perform weeding 20–30 days after sowing and a second weeding after 45 days.
Use pre-emergence herbicides like Pendimethalin (1 kg/ha) to control weeds.
9. Pest and Disease Management
Pod borer (Helicoverpa): Use Neem oil spray or chemicals like Indoxacarb.
Fusarium Wilt: Rotate crops and grow resistant varieties.
Sterility Mosaic Virus: Plant certified virus-free seeds and manage vector mites using Miticides.
10. Harvesting
Harvest when 75–80% of pods turn brown or mature.
Use a sickle to cut the plants, and dry them before threshing.
11. Yield
Average yield: 10–15 quintals/ha (varies with variety and management practices).
12. Intercropping and Crop Rotation
Intercrop with maize, sorghum, or groundnut to optimize land use.
Rotate with cereals to maintain soil fertility and reduce pest/disease build-up.
By following these practices, redgram yield and quality can be significantly improved. Always consider local agro-climatic conditions and consult an agricultural extension officer for region-specific advice.