Season and Field preparation

Soil

Well drained sandy loam with pH range of 7.5-8.0 and warm climate is suitable for Cluster bean cultivation. This crop can tolerate salinity.

Season

Sowing can be done during June- July and October -November

Seed rate

About 10 kg of seeds is required for a hectare.

Seed treatment

Treat the seeds with Rhizobium @ 600 g/ha using rice gruel as binder. Dry the treated seeds in shade for 15 – 30 minutes before sowing.

Preparation of field

Plough the field to fine tilth and form ridges and furrows at 45 cm apart.

Sowing

Dibble the seeds on the sides of the ridges at 15 cm apart.

Irrigation

Irrigate the field immediately after sowing and then followed at weekly intervals.

Application of fertilizers

Apply FYM 25 t/ha, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria each 2 kg/ha, N 25, P 50 and K 25 kg/ha as basal. 25 kg N/ha is applied as top dressing on 30 days after sowing.

Plant protection

Leaf hopper , aphids, and glasshouse whitefly

Leaf hopper can be controlled by spraying Methyl demeton 25 EC 1 ml/lit or Dimethoate 30 EC 1 ml/lit.

Ash weevils

Spray phosalone 35 EC @ 1.5 ml/lit.

Pod borer

Pod borer can be controlled by spraying Carbaryl 50 WP 2 g/lit; or Quinalphos 25 EC 2 ml/lit.