Horse Gram

HORSE GRAM
Botanical Name - Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam) Verdc

Synonym - Kulthi
Origin - Peninsular India
Importance
Horse gram is an important crop of south India. Its grain is
used for human consumption as ‘dal’ as well as in preparation
of so called ‘rasam’ and also as a concentrated feed for cattle.
It may also be used as green manure. This crop is generally
grown when the cultivator is unable to sow any other crop for want of timely rains and also
grown in vacant space of citrus orchard.
Crop Status
Horse gram is mainly cultivated in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil
Nadu, M.P., Chhattisgarh, Bihar, W.B., Jharkhand, and in foot hills of Uttaranchal and
H.P., in India. It is also cultivated in other countries mainly Sri Lanka, Malaysia, West
Indies etc.
During Twelfth Plan (2012-2015) in India, the total area under Horsegram and its
production during this plan was 2.32 lakh hectares and 1.05 lakh tonnes respectively.In
terms of area and production, Karnataka is on the first position on all India basis
contributing 26.72% and 25.71% respectively followed by Odisha (19.46%& 15.48%)and
Chhatisgarh (19.29% & 13.29%).The highest yield was recorded in the state of Bihar (959
kg/ha) followed by W.B. (796 kg/ha) and Jharkhand (603 kg/ha) (DES, 2015-16).
State-wise varieties:
State Recommended varieties:
Rajasthan KS-2, Pratap Kulthi (AK-42)
A.P. Palem-1, Palem-2, Paiyur-2, PHG-9
T.N. Paiyur-2
Karnataka PHG-9, GPM-6, CRIDA-1-18 R
Gujarat Pratab Kulthi-1 (AK-42), GHG-5
Uttarakhand VL- Gahat-8, VL Gahat-10
C.G. Indira Kulthi-1 , (IKGH01-01)
Source: Seednet GOI, Min. of Agri. & FW, & ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur
Potential Yield (FLD Result)

It is observed that in general average potential yield gap between FLD and farmer’s local
check yield is about 45 %. The potential yield level could be obtained by adoption of
improved package of practices.
Climate requirement
Horsegram is extremely drought-resistant crop. Moderately warm, dry climatic conditions
are suitable for its optimum growth. It does not grow well on higher altitudes because of
cool and wet climate. Horsegram can be cultivated up to an altitude of 1000 m above the
sea level. The temperature range of 25-30°C and relative humidity between 50 and 80% is
optimum for its growth. Heavy rains during the initial stages of crop growth affect nodule
formation owing to poor aeration in the soil. A well-distributed rainfall of about 800 mm is
sufficient for its successful cultivation, but it performs well even under low rainfall areas.
Soil Type & Field Preparation
Generally grown on lateritic soil (poor in fertility) in south India. The crop can be grown on
wide range of soils from light to heavy soils which are free from alkalinity. The crop needs
minimum field preparations. Only 1-2 ploughings followed by planking provides desirable
seed-bed.
Sowing Time
The main season for sowing horse gram is late August-November. As a fodder crop it is
sown during June-August. In Tamil Nadu, it is sown in September-November. In
Maharashtra, horse gram is sown as a kharif crop, mixed with bajra or sometimes Niger and
also in the Rabi in rice fallows. In M.P. it is a Rabi crop. In northern parts it is grown as
kharif crop. In West Bengal the sowing period is October-November.
Seed Rate & Spacing

Generally sown as broadcast with 40 kg/ha seed rate for dual purpose i.e. grain and fodder.
For line sowing 25-30 kg/ha is enough for grain crop. Row Spacing: 40-45 cm during
kharif and 25-30 cm during rabi and about 5 cm plant to plant spacing.
Seed treatment
Seeds must be treated with seed treating fungicide to reduce infection by fungal pathogens
found in the soil. Horse gram seeds are treated with carbendazim (bavistin) 2g for every kg
of seeds. Now-a-days bio fungicide like Trichoderma viridi is recommended for pulses at
the rate of 4g per kg seed. After fungicide treatment seed should be inoculate with
Rhizobium and PSB culture @ 5-7 g/kg of seed.
Fertilizer management
20 kg nitrogen and 30 kg P2O5 per ha as basal application at the time of sowing 2-5 cm
below and in the side of the seed with the help of ferti.-seed drill is enough for good
management of crop.
Water Management
Irrigation should be apply at before flowering and pod formation stage.
Weed Management
Due to luxuriant growth an early weeding/hoeing is enough for weed. Application of
Pendimethalin @ 0.75-1 kg a.i./ha as pre emergence application. After that, one hand
weeding at 20-25 days after sowing.
Plant Protection Measures:

Insect Pest/Disease/ Nature of Damage/ Symptoms Control Measures
Causal Organism
i. Aphids The adults and nymphs suck the juice
from the leaves as a result turn brown
and crumpled and the plants look sick.
Spray of Oxydemeton
ii. Jassids The adults and nymphs suck the juice methyl 25 @ 1 ml/liter or
from the leaves as a result leaves turn Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1.7
brown an leaf surface become uneven. ml/liter water
In severe infection leaves dry up and
fall and weaken the plants.
iii. Pod borer It is a polyphagous insect. Caterpillar Spray of NPV @ 250 LE/ha.
makes hole in pods, sometime also or Quinolphos 25 EC @ 2
feed seed. ml/liter water
iv. Yellow Mosaic The symptoms firstly appear on young i. Grown resistant varieties.
Virus leaves in the form of yellow, diffused, ii. Destroy the infected
vector-white fly round spots scattered on the leaf plants.
lamina. The infected leaves turn iii. Spray of Oxydemeton
necrotic. The diseased plants usually methyl 25 @ 2 ml/liter or
mature later and bear relatively few Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1.7
flowers and pods. The pods are ml/liter water and repeat
stunted and mostly remained after 15 days, if necessary.
immature but whenever seeds are form
they are small in size.
v. Root rot Roots rot and plants show yellowing i. Seed treatment with
of the lower-most leaves followed by 2 g Captan or Carbindazim/
wilting. 2 kg of seed.
ii. Avoid early sowing in
infested areas
Harvesting & threshing

As usual with other kharif pulses of Vigna group, clean seed should be sun dried for 3-4
days to bring their moisture content at 9-10% to be safely stored in appropriate bins.
Storage
To avoid further development of bruchids and other storage pests it is recommended to
fumigate the storage material before onset of monsoon and again after the monsoon with
ALP @ 1-2 tablets per tonne. The small quantity of the produce can also be protected by
mixing inert material (soft stone, lime, ash, etc) or by smearing edible/non-edible
vegetable oils or by mixing plant products like neem leaf powder at the rate of 1-2% w/w
basis.
Yield
By adopting improved package of practices one can harvest 6-10 qtls of grain/ha
depending upon the monsoon behaviour.
Recommendation to achieved higher production

i) Deep summer ploughing once in 3 years.
ii) Seed treatment should be done before sowing.
iii) Application of fertilizer should be based on soil test value.
iv) Weed control should be done at right time.
v) Adopt integrated approach for plant protection.
 For technical information of crop production please contact to district KVK/ nearest KVK.
 To avail benefit from Centrally and State Government running schemes for crop production
(ploughing, fertilizers, micronutrient, pesticide, irrigation equipment), agricultural
implements, storage infrastructure etc., please contact to your DDA/SADO office.
For more information also visit

- M- kisan portal - http://mkisan.gov.in
- Farmers portal - http://farmer.gov.in
- Kisan Call Centre (KCC)-Toll Free No.- 1800-180-1551
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HORSE GRAM

Botanical Name - Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam) Verdc

Potential Yield (FLD Result)

Seed Rate & Spacing

Plant Protection Measures:

Harvesting & threshing

Recommendation to achieved higher production

For more information also visit

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