Urad Cultivation in Summer: Climate, Soil, Varieties, Disease and Pest Management

Urad holds a special place among pulse crops. Due to being a good source of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and calcium, its demand is high. Its cultivation also increases the organic matter content in the soil. Therefore, besides being a good source of nutrients, its cultivation proves beneficial in maintaining soil fertility. Bihar ranks first in urad production. Additionally, it is also cultivated in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh.

How to Cultivate Urad in Summer?

Suitable Time for Sowing Urad

• The sowing of urad can be done from February to August.
• If you want to farm during summer, sow the seeds in February-March.
• For cultivating in the Kharif season, sow the seeds in June-July.

Suitable Soil and Climate

• For urad crops, light sandy and loamy soil is considered suitable.
• The pH level of the soil should be between 6.5 to 7.8.
• If cultivating during the monsoon season, sow the crop before the onset of rains.

Quantity of Seeds and Seed Treatment

• During the summer season, for cultivating urad, 8 to 10 kg of seeds are required per acre of land.
• If it is to be cultivated during the Kharif season, then 4.8 to 6 kg of seeds are needed per acre of land.
• For treating seeds using organic methods, treat every kg of seeds with 5 gm of Trichoderma.
• For treating seeds using chemical methods, use 2.5 gm of Thiram per kg of seeds.

Best Varieties

• For the cultivation of urad in the summer season, you can choose from varieties such as Western Amul Research Urad Seed, Jaigrow 72 Research Urad Seed, Eagle Seeds and Biotech Ltd - X-lent PU 31 Urad Seed, Ajeet Seeds - Ajeet 33 Urad, Mahaseeds Tau-1 Urad Seeds, and others.
• Select varieties according to the suitability of your region for better yields.

Field Preparation

• Firstly, carry out deep plowing in the field once. Following this, do light plowing 2 to 3 times.
• After plowing, apply compost and make the soil of the field fine and level it.
• Ensure that there is proper drainage in the field.
• If cultivating in heavy soil, additional plowing may be necessary.

Fertilizer Usage

• When preparing the field, use 50 kg of DAP, 11 kg of Urea, and 60 kg of Single Super Phosphate per acre.
• In areas deficient in sulphur, apply 8 kg of sulphur per acre through sulphur-enriched fertilizers.
• For better root development and good crop yield, use 4 kg of 'DeHaat Starter' per acre.

Sowing

• Sow seeds in rows.
• Maintain a distance of 20-25 cm between all rows.
• The distance between plants within rows should be 8-10 cm.
• Sow seeds at a depth of 3-4 cm.

Irrigation

• Urad cultivation does not require substantial irrigation.
• If there is a lack of moisture in the soil during pod formation, one irrigation should be done.
• Urad crop requires irrigation 3 to 4 times.
• The first irrigation is done as 'paleo irrigation'. After that, irrigate at intervals of 18-20 days or as per the requirement.

Weed Control

• Weeds can cause significant damage to crops within 25 to 30 days of sowing.
• It is essential to control weeds for better yields of urad.
• An excessive presence of weeds can deprive the crop of essential nutrients, negatively impacting both yield and quality.
• Weeding is a preferable option for weed control.
• It is cost-effective and helps maintain soil structure.
• Weeding should be done 20-25 days after sowing to effectively control weeds.
• Get more information about weed control in urad crops from here.

Disease and Pest Management

• In urad crops, the infestation of pod borer, leaf roller, whitefly, thrips, mosaic virus disease, etc., is more prevalent.
• These diseases and pests adversely affect both the yield and quality of the crop.
• Upon noticing symptoms of these diseases and pests, immediately use appropriate pesticides and other required chemical inputs.

Crop Harvesting

• The duration for crop maturity varies according to its type and climate.
• Generally, crops are ready for harvesting 90-120 days after sowing.
• However, some varieties are ready for harvesting within 60-65 days.
• Harvest the produce when the pods have 70 to 80% ripened.
• After harvesting, bundle the crops together.
• Dry the harvested produce thoroughly in the sunlight.
• Store it when there is 8 to 9 % moisture content in the grains.

In which season do you cultivate urad (black gram)? Please share your answers and insights through comments. Don't forget to like and share this post to reach more farmers with this information. For more such agricultural knowledge, follow the 'Krishi Gyan' channel now.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: In which months is urad sown?

A: In India, urad cultivation is typically done during the Kharif season. It is suitable to sow it in June, just before the onset of the monsoon. Additionally, it is also cultivated during the summer season, for which sowing is done in February-March.

Q: How long does it take for urad to mature?

A: The time for the urad crop to mature can vary depending on the climate, varieties, and weather conditions. Typically, the urad crop is ready for harvest in 90 to 120 days. Some varieties even mature in 60-65 days.

Q: What should be done for good yield of urad?

A: For a good yield of urad, use high-quality seeds. Plant the seeds at appropriate spacing. Pay special attention to irrigation and weed management. Use fertilizers in the right quantity. Control pests and diseases as required to avoid adverse effects on crops.