Varieties
Pusa Mausami, Pusa Naubahar, Goma Manjari and Pusa Sadabahar are the popular varieties of cluster beans.
Step By Step How to Grow
1) Soil
Well drained sandy loam with pH range of 7.5-8.0 and warm climate is suitable for Cluster bean cultivation. This crop can tolerate salinity.
2) Season of Sowing
Sowing can be done during June- July and October -November
3) Sowing
Dibble the seeds on the sides of the ridges at 15 cm apart.
4) Seed Rate
About 10 kg of seeds is required for a hectare.
5) Seed treatment
Treat the seeds with Rhizobium @ 600 g/ha using rice gruel as binder. Dry the treated seeds in shade for 15 – 30 minutes before sowing.
6) Preparation of field
Plough the field to fine tilth and form ridges and furrows at 45 cm apart.
7) Irrigation
Irrigate the field immediately after sowing and then followed at weekly intervals.
Fertilizers
Apply FYM 25 t/ha, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria each 2 kg/ha, N 25, P 50 and K 25 kg/ha as basal. 25 kg N/ha is applied as top dressing on 30 days after sowing.
Plant protection
Pests
Leaf hopper , aphids, and glasshouse whitefly
Leaf hopper can be controlled by spraying Methyl demeton 25 EC 1 ml/lit or Dimethoate 30 EC 1 ml/lit.
Ash weevils
Spray phosalone 35 EC @ 1.5 ml/lit.
Pod borer
Pod borer can be controlled by spraying Carbaryl 50 WP 2 g/lit; or Quinalphos 25 EC 2 ml/lit.
Diseases
Leaf spot
Leaf spot can be controlled by spraying Mancozeb 2 g/lit.
Powdery mildew
Powdery mildew can be controlled by spraying Wettable sulphur 2 g/lit or dust with Sulphur 25 kg/ha. Repeat the application at 15 days interval.
Yield
5 – 7 t pods/ha in 90 days can be obtained.
Video