Horse Gram Cultivation: Best Practices for Dry Regions

Horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum), locally called kulthi in Hindi, is one of those crops that quietly feeds millions while rarely making headlines. Grown mostly in the drier pockets of South India, this drought-hardy pulse has been part of Indian agriculture for thousands of years – archaeological evidence traces its consumption in India back to 2000 BC. Despite being labelled an “underutilised” legume, horse gram offers farmers a low-input, high-reward option perfectly suited to regions where water is scarce and soils are poor. Let’s look at what makes this crop tick and the best practices to grow it successfully in dry regions.

Why horse gram matters: area, production, and nutritional value 🔗

India is the world’s largest producer of horse gram. According to the Indian Institute of Pulses Research, the total area under horse gram cultivation is approximately 5.07 lakh hectares, yielding about 2.62 lakh tonnes at a productivity of around 516 kg per hectare. The major producing states are Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh.

From a nutritional standpoint, horse gram packs a serious punch. The seed is an excellent source of protein (roughly 17.9-25.3%), carbohydrates (51.9-60.9%), essential amino acids, iron, and molybdenum, with very low fat content. It also contains calcium, phosphorus, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C. Traditionally, it is consumed as dal, used in South Indian rasam, or eaten after roasting and boiling. Beyond human consumption, it serves as a concentrated feed for cattle and can be ploughed back into the soil as green manure.

Climate and soil requirements 🔗

Horse gram is built for tough conditions. It thrives in tropical and sub-tropical climates and is one of the most drought-tolerant pulse crops available to Indian farmers.

Temperature and rainfall 🔗

The ideal temperature range for horse gram is 25-30 °C, though it can tolerate temperatures up to 40 °C. Growth slows significantly below 20 °C, and frost is lethal. A well-distributed rainfall of about 800 mm is sufficient, but the crop performs well even in low-rainfall zones receiving as little as 300-900 mm of annual precipitation. Relative humidity between 50% and 80% supports optimum growth. One important caveat: horse gram does not tolerate waterlogging at all, and heavy rains during early growth can impair root nodule formation.

Soil preferences 🔗

Horse gram is remarkably adaptable to soil types. It is commonly grown on lateritic soils (low in fertility) in South India, but it can succeed on sandy soils, gravelly soils, shallow red soils, and even recently cleared forest land. The key requirement is that the soil must be well-drained and free from alkalinity. Horse gram also tolerates moderate salinity levels, with a soil pH up to around 8. It can even grow in soils with poor organic matter and low nitrogen – a huge advantage for dryland farmers working marginal lands.

Land preparation 🔗

One of the biggest advantages of horse gram is that it requires minimal land preparation. Typically, one to two ploughings followed by planking are enough to create a suitable seedbed. If farmyard manure (FYM) is being applied, it should be spread at the rate of 5-6 tonnes per hectare and incorporated into the soil during the last ploughing. Because the crop is often grown on residual moisture after the main kharif crop or in marginal uplands, elaborate tillage operations are neither necessary nor economical.

Seed selection, treatment, and sowing 🔗

Choosing the right variety 🔗

Several improved and local varieties are available across different states. Some widely recommended ones include CRIDA 18R, Palem-1, Palem-2, Pratap Kulthi-1, HPK-2, Birsa Kulthi-1, Hebbal Hurali-1, and PHG-9. Farmers should pick a variety that is suited to their specific agro-climatic zone and has proven performance in local trials. Disease resistance, maturity duration, and yield potential should all factor into the decision.

Seed treatment 🔗

Treating seeds before sowing greatly reduces the risk of soil-borne fungal infections. The standard recommendation is to treat seeds with carbendazim at 2 g per kg of seed. Alternatively, a bio-fungicide like Trichoderma viride at 4 g per kg of seed can be used. After fungicide treatment, seeds should be inoculated with Rhizobium and PSB (phosphate-solubilising bacteria) culture at 5-7 g per kg of seed to enhance nitrogen fixation and phosphorus availability.

Sowing time and method 🔗

The main sowing window for horse gram is late August to November, depending on the region. In northern India, it is primarily a kharif crop sown in July-August. In Tamil Nadu, sowing takes place between September and November. In Maharashtra, it is grown as a kharif crop mixed with bajra, or in rabi on rice fallows.

Horse gram is commonly sown by broadcasting, using a seed rate of about 40 kg/ha for dual-purpose (grain + fodder) cultivation. For line sowing, which is preferred for better weed management and spacing, a seed rate of 20-30 kg/ha is recommended. The ideal row spacing is 30-45 cm during kharif and 25-30 cm during rabi, with about 5 cm between plants.

Nutrient management 🔗

Horse gram is a low-input crop, but a basic nutrient application plan helps improve yields significantly. The general recommendation is to apply 20 kg nitrogen and 30 kg P₂O₅ per hectare as a basal dose at the time of sowing, placed 2-5 cm below and to the side of the seed using a ferti-seed drill. Potash (MOP) application can be decided based on soil test results. Since horse gram is a legume that fixes atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules, heavy nitrogen application is neither necessary nor advisable.

Additionally, applying FYM or compost at 5-6 tonnes per hectare during land preparation improves soil structure and provides a slow-release source of nutrients throughout the crop cycle.

Irrigation management 🔗

Horse gram is inherently drought-tolerant and is primarily grown as a rainfed crop. In most situations, residual soil moisture from the preceding monsoon or rice crop is sufficient. However, providing irrigation at critical growth stages can significantly boost yield and seed quality.

Critical stages for irrigation 🔗

The two most important stages where water stress must be avoided are flowering and pod formation/seed development. If irrigation is available, one or two light irrigations at these stages can make a meaningful difference in final yield.

Efficient irrigation methods 🔗

In water-scarce areas, drip irrigation is the most efficient option. It delivers water directly to the root zone, minimising wastage. Flood irrigation should be avoided because horse gram is extremely sensitive to waterlogging, which damages roots and impairs nodule activity.

Weed management 🔗

Horse gram’s vigorous, spreading growth habit gives it a natural advantage against weeds. In many cases, a single early weeding or hoeing (around 20-25 days after sowing) is sufficient. For pre-emergence weed control, Pendimethalin at 0.75-1 kg active ingredient per hectare can be applied soon after sowing. After that, one hand weeding at 20-25 DAS keeps the crop clean through its remaining growth period.

In intercropping systems – where horse gram is grown with finger millet, maize, or sorghum – the crop itself naturally suppresses weed growth, reducing the labour cost for de-weeding.

Pests and their management 🔗

While horse gram is generally hardier than many other pulses, it is still vulnerable to a few key pests, particularly in humid or high-rainfall zones.

Pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) 🔗

This is one of the most damaging pests of horse gram. The larvae bore into developing pods and feed on the seeds inside, causing significant yield loss. Management strategies include using pheromone traps to monitor adult moth populations, releasing Trichogramma parasitoids as biological control agents, and applying neem-based insecticides when infestation crosses the economic threshold.

Aphids (Aphis craccivora) 🔗

Aphids suck sap from tender shoots and leaves, leading to stunted growth and sometimes transmitting viral diseases. They can be controlled by spraying neem oil or insecticidal soap. In severe cases, a targeted insecticide application may be necessary.

Other pests 🔗

Other insects that may attack horse gram include pod fly, stem fly, leaf hoppers, hairy caterpillar, thrips, and leaf miners. In storage, Callosobruchus (pulse beetle) is a major concern. Storing seeds in airtight containers treated with neem oil or using phosphine fumigation helps protect stored grain.

Disease management 🔗

Horse gram can be affected by several fungal diseases, particularly when humidity is high.

Powdery mildew 🔗

Recognised by a white, powdery growth on leaves, stems, and pods, powdery mildew can cause considerable yield loss depending on severity and the growth stage at which it appears. Managing it involves ensuring proper plant spacing for good air circulation and applying sulphur-based or systemic fungicides like triadimefon when symptoms first appear.

Anthracnose 🔗

Caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, anthracnose produces dark, sunken lesions on leaves and pods. Crop rotation with non-leguminous crops and use of disease-free seed are the primary preventive measures. Fungicides like mancozeb can be used for chemical control.

Root rot and other diseases 🔗

Dry root rot (caused by Macrophomina phaseolina) leads to wilting and yellowing. It is best managed by ensuring well-drained soils, avoiding waterlogging, and treating seeds with fungicides like thiram or captan. Other diseases include leaf spot (Cercospora), rust, and yellow mosaic virus. Using resistant varieties, adjusting sowing dates, and applying biocontrol agents like Trichoderma spp. form the backbone of integrated pest and disease management in horse gram.

Harvesting and post-harvest handling 🔗

Horse gram reaches maturity 90-120 days after sowing, depending on the variety and growing conditions. The crop is ready for harvest when the pods turn yellowish-brown and start drying. Timely harvest is essential – delayed harvesting or exposure to rain can darken the seed coat, reducing market value.

Harvesting method 🔗

The crop is typically harvested by cutting plants close to the ground with a sickle. The harvested plants are left to dry in the field for a few days before threshing. Threshing can be done manually by beating with sticks or by using a mechanical thresher.

Storage 🔗

After threshing and cleaning, the seeds should be dried to a safe moisture level (below 10%) and stored in a cool, dry place. Using airtight containers or bags treated with neem oil helps prevent pulse beetle infestation during storage.

Intercropping and crop rotation benefits 🔗

Horse gram is rarely grown as a sole crop in traditional farming systems. It is commonly intercropped with groundnut, sorghum, finger millet, maize, pearl millet, and sesame. Being a legume, horse gram fixes atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic bacteria in root nodules, enriching the soil for the following crop. It also increases soil organic carbon, making it an excellent rotational crop after cereals like rice or millets. This dual benefit – food production plus soil improvement – makes horse gram a cornerstone of sustainable dryland farming systems across peninsular India.

Yield potential and economics 🔗

Under average management, horse gram yields range from 400-600 kg per acre. With improved varieties, proper seed treatment, timely sowing, and basic irrigation at critical stages, yields can exceed 800 kg per acre. The cost of cultivation is notably low compared to other pulse crops – since the crop needs minimal fertiliser, limited irrigation, and few plant protection inputs, the net returns can be quite attractive for small and marginal farmers in dryland areas.

What do you think? With climate change intensifying droughts across South Asia, could horse gram emerge as a mainstream pulse crop rather than remaining an “underutilised” one? And for farmers already growing it – what local practices have you found most effective for improving yield in your specific region?

References

1. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/why-horse-gram-is-a-neglected-climate-resilient-crop-nutritional-powerhouse
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4397296/
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrotyloma_uniflorum
4. https://rkb-odisha.in/pulses-in-odisha/horse-gram/
5. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/9780429321962-5/integrated-disease-management-horse-gram-macrotyloma-uniflorum-upma-dutta-sachin-gupta-anamika-jamwal-sonika-jamwal
6. https://academic.oup.com/aesa/article/111/4/172/5052933