Climate / Temperature: The mung bean crop requires a warm and humid climate. It can be cultivated during the monsoon season. Areas with an annual rainfall of 75-90 cm are suitable for mung bean cultivation. A temperature range of 25 to 32 degrees Celsius is ideal for growth and development. Rainfall during flowering can adversely affect the yield.
Water Demand: The mung bean crop requires approximately 600 to 720 mm of water.
Soil: Mung beans thrive best in loamy or sandy soils with good drainage. Alkaline soils are not suitable for mung bean cultivation.
Soil pH: The ideal pH level for mung beans should be between 6 and 7.5. If the soil pH exceeds 7.5, gypsum should be applied. If the soil pH is below 6, lime should be used.
Suitable varieties of mung beans include:
Deep plowing should be done with a moldboard plow for mung bean cultivation. As the rains begin, plow 2-3 times with a local plow or cultivator to remove weeds, then level the field. After harvesting Rabi crops, plow immediately and allow for 4-5 days before performing the second plowing. Follow this with 2-3 more plowings with a local plow or cultivator to ensure the soil is leveled and crumbly.
The ideal time for sowing Kharif mung beans is from the last week of June to the first week of July. Mung beans should be sown by March 15. Delayed sowing can lead to reduced pod formation due to increased temperatures during flowering, affecting yield.
Seed Rate: For Kharif, a seed rate of 20 kg per hectare is sufficient when using row sowing methods. For spring or summer sowing, 25-30 kg of seeds per hectare is needed.
Fertilizers and Nutrients: Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers should be applied at planting, 5-10 cm deep as a basal application. This crop belongs to the legume family, containing rhizobium bacteria in its nodules. Mung beans require low amounts of fertilizers.
Water Management: Generally, mung beans do not require irrigation during the rainy season. Irrigation should stop 15 days before harvest. In cases of heavy rainfall or waterlogging, excess water should be drained to maintain soil aeration. If there is a long gap between rains or if moisture is lacking, light irrigation may be needed during pod formation. In spring and summer, irrigation is necessary every 10-15 days.
Harvesting: Mung beans mature in 60-70 days; thus, a crop sown in July is harvested by late September or early October. A crop sown in February-March will be ready by May. Harvesting is suitable when the pods turn light brown or black. Delaying harvest can lead to pod shattering, and harvesting immature pods can negatively affect yield and quality.
Seed-Borne Diseases:
Description: Affects the roots of germinated plants; these are diseases that originate from seeds. Symptoms: Plants begin to dry out and impact overall crop growth. Prevention: Infected plants should be separated and discarded.
Aphid Disease:
Description: This disease affects every stage of the crop and is visible on the leaves. Symptoms: Aphids destroy nutrients and suck sap from leaves, causing black spots on the leaves, stems, and pod covers. Prevention: Infected plants should be destroyed, and early sowing is recommended.
Wilt Disease:
Description: This disease is more likely to occur at 30 degrees Celsius. Symptoms: The roots of infected plants become weak, and the growth rate of the crop slows down. Prevention: Timely sowing and using resistant varieties is advised.
Pod Borer Disease:
Description: This pest damages plants once the crop matures. It affects the crop during pod formation. Symptoms: It directly impacts the pods. Prevention: Follow appropriate crop rotation and spray neem extract in the fields.
Rust Disease:
Description: The likelihood of this disease increases with excess moisture. Symptoms: This disease appears on the pods and stems, with deep red or brown spots visible on the affected areas. Prevention: Infected plants should be isolated and destroyed.
Production: The total yield is between 4.8 to 6 quintals per acre.
Storage: With improved cultivation practices, an average yield of 8-10 quintals per hectare can be achieved. Before storage, seeds should be thoroughly sun-dried until the moisture content is between 8-10%, ensuring they are suitable for storage.
