The Ultimate Guide to Black Gram: Cultivation, Uses, and Benefits
Introduction
Black gram, also known as Vigna mungo, Urad Bean, Black Matpe, and Black Mung Bean, is a versatile crop that thrives in various weather conditions. This annual legume is not only a staple in Indian cuisine but also holds significant medicinal and agricultural value. From its young seed pods to its leaves, every part of the black gram plant is useful. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the cultivation, uses, and benefits of black gram, providing you with all the information you need to grow and utilize this incredible crop.
What is Black Gram?
Commonly referred to as black gram, Vigna mungo is an ancient South Asian crop highly valued in India. It is a prominent pulse crop cultivated during both the Rabi and Kharif seasons. Black gram is extensively grown in northern Bangladesh, Nepal, and southern India, making it a crucial component of the region’s agricultural landscape.
Black Gram: Physical Features
Black gram plants can reach a height of up to 100 centimeters and are characterized by their erect, hairy, and bushy form with a well-developed taproot. The pods are narrow and cylindrical, containing 4–10 tiny black seeds. Each leaf comprises three oval leaflets, and the plant produces clusters of bright yellow flowers.
Black Gram: Key Facts
| Common Name | Black Gram, Urad Bean, Black Matpe, Black Mung Bean | | Botanical Name | Vigna mungo | | Family | Fabaceae | | Temperature Preference | 25-35℃ | | Height | 30-100 cm | | Rainfall | 650-900 mm | | Soil | Loamy or clayey soil | | pH of Soil | 4.5-7.5 |
How to Grow Black Gram
Selection of Seed
Choose black gram seeds that are pure, free from pests, diseases, and contaminants. Ensure the seeds are genetically pure and have a high germination rate.
Planting Strategy
Use a tractor-drawn ferti-cum-seed drill to sow the seeds in a straight line. This method allows for simultaneous application of fertilizers and seed sowing. Ensure the seeds are planted no deeper than 5 or 6 centimeters.
Ideal Timing
For the Kharif season, the ideal planting time is between June 15 and June 30. For summer sowing, plant between the third week of February and the first week of April. Avoid late planting to ensure optimal growth.
Seed Processing
Treat the seeds with Thiram at a rate of 2.5 grams per kilogram of seed. Additionally, use Rhizobium culture to enhance atmospheric nitrogen fixation.
Fertilizing
Basic fertilizers may not suffice for black gram crops. During rapid crop development and seed formation, provide adequate nutrition through foliar feeding to meet the plant’s nutrient requirements.
Weeding Management
Perform one or two rounds of hand weeding up to 40 days after sowing, depending on weed intensity. Pre-planting herbicide applications, such as 1 kg active ingredient of Fluchloralin (Basalin) in 800 to 1,000 liters of water, can effectively reduce weed growth.
Black Gram: Care Tips
- Conduct deep summer plowing once every three years.
- Base fertilizer application on soil test results.
- Select varieties resistant to yellow mosaic disease, such as Uttara, Shekhar 3, Ujala, VBN, and Pratap urd-1.
- Timely weeding is crucial.
- Adopt an ecologically sustainable approach to plant protection.
Black Gram: Uses
- Culinary Uses: The tender young pods can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The seeds can be ground into flour for making bread, pancakes, waffles, and more. They are essential in Indian fermented rice and lentil cakes like idli and dosa.
- Medicinal Uses: The seed flour’s saponin content makes it suitable as a soap replacement, softening and soothing the skin. The seeds have cooling and astringent properties and can be ground into a powder, moistened, and applied to abscesses.
What are the Benefits of Black Gram?
- Soil Fertility: Black gram enhances soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
- Digestive Health: It aids digestion and promotes gut health.
- Skin Health: It improves skin health, making it radiant and smooth.
- Energy Boost: It boosts energy levels, keeping you active throughout the day.
- Bone Health: It increases bone mineral density, strengthening your bones.
- Diabetes Management: It helps in managing blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for diabetics.
Black Gram: Side Effects
While black gram offers numerous benefits, it can increase blood uric acid levels, potentially leading to kidney stone formation. Consume it in moderation to avoid adverse effects.
Conclusion
Black gram, a readily available ingredient in Indian kitchens, is a powerhouse of nutrients with both Ayurvedic and allopathic properties. It helps manage blood sugar, hypertension, skin problems, and more. By following the guidelines provided, you can successfully cultivate black gram and enjoy a bountiful harvest of this versatile legume.
FAQs
Got any questions or points of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Rajat Piplewar at rajat@bhume.in.