Vamban 3 blackgram :Blackgram variety

Scientists at the National Pulses Research Centre (NPRC), Vamban in Pudukkottai district, have developed a high yielding blackgram variety with built-in resistance to yellow mosaic disease. The variety has been released for commercial cultivation by farmers at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbature, recently.

"Vamban 3 blackgram" variety is a derivative of a cross between LBG 402 and LBG 17. It matures in 65-70 days. It has recorded an average yield of 775 kg per hectare in rainfed conditions, and 826 kg per hectare in irrigated conditions. It has been recommended for cultivation in all seasons (June-July, September-October and February-March) throughout Tamil Nadu.

The performance has been consistently higher both in rainfed and irrigated conditions. It has built-in resistance to yellow mosaic disease, and moderate resistance to powdery mildew. The plants grow erect to a height of 25-30 cm. They produce hairy pods containing dull black seeds. Each plant will yield about 25-30 pods, and 100-seeds will weigh between 4 and 4.4 g. The seeds are endowed with high quality protein (22.4 per cent).

A seed rate of 20 kg will be needed to cover a hectare at an espacement of 30 cm by 10 cm. The seeds should be treated with three packets each of Rhizobial culture and phosphobacteria. A nutrient dose of 25 kg nitrogen and 50 kg phosphorus per hectare is recommended for the irrigated crop, and the rainfed crop would need half the dose only.

The sucking pests and pot borers can be managed by spraying with suitable botanical insecticides such as neem-based compounds at the appropriate time.

The plants should be harvested when the plants turn yellow and 80 per cent of the pods are mature. The uprooted plants should be stacked in shade for a few days before threshing. The seeds are to be cleaned and bagged before being stored in cool dry place, according to scientists.