How to Grow Dolichos from Seed to Harvest

Dolichos have been cultivated in our country since ancient times. It is widely cultivated in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. It is now becoming popular in North India.

In this article I have explained How to Grow Dolichos from Seed to Harvest, which helps every farmer and home gardener to gain the knowledge on

Available verities of Dolichos.
Seed germination time.
Suitable soil and weather conditions.
Field preparation and planting distance.
Fertilizer and Water Management.
Required seed per acre and expected yield per acre.

Weather:

Dolichos are a tropical crop. Climber varieties should be plant only in kharif. Bush varieties can be planted in kharif and summer as well.

Soils:

fertile red loams, well drained clay soils are suitable for cultivation. Soils with a Soil PH levels 6.5–8.5 are suitable.

Planting time:

Climber Dolichos are usually sown at the beginning of monsoon season (June-July), in winter i.e. November-December.

Bush Dolichos should be sown in June-July in Kharif and January-February in summer.

Canopy Varieties:

10 Grams of seeds Contains approximately 2.5k to 3k seeds
Dolichos Seed Germination time is 5 to 7 Days

Pusa Early Prolific: This is a variety released from Indian Agricultural Research Station, New Delhi. The fruits are thin sickle-shaped, 9.3 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. The yield is 14 tons per acre. Harvesting period: 200-215 days

Deepalival: This type released from Akola. The fruits are long (18.4 cm) light green in color and have a bulging near the seed and the fruit width of 2.7 cm. yields 6-8 tones per acre. Harvesting period: 200-210 days.

PUSA Sem-2: It is issued from Indian Agricultural Research Station, New Delhi. The seed matures 120 days after sowing. The fruits are seen standing on the upper part of the leaves. Each bunch contains 11-13 pods. fruit length 15-17 cm. What is the yield of 13.7 tons per acre? If grown under a canopy, it can reach 22 tons.

Pusa Sem-3: This is also a variant released from Delhi. Each bunch contains 10-12 pods. Fruit length is 15 cm. Yield : 17 tons/acre, Climbers can yields up to 27 tons/acre. This variety is resistant to leaf spot, virus pests, aphids, honeydew and pod borers.

R.N.D. -1: This variety was released from Vegetable Research Station, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Rajendranagar. A high yielding canopy dolichos variety, 130-150 days after sowing, it turns golden and produces clusters of 15-20 cm long fruits. Harvesting period is 210-240 days and yield is 15-18 tones per acre. Dolichos remain fresh for four to five days after harvesting without getting wrinkled.

Bush Varieties:

Arka Jaya: Harvest in 55 days after sowing. The pods are light green in color and slightly curved. Yield : 4.8 t/a.

Arka Vijaya: The crop must be harvested within 56 days after sowing. The fruits are short, dark green in color and fragrant. Yield : 4.8t/a.

Konkan Bhushan: Harvest in 55-60 days after sowing. The fruits are tender. Yield : 5.0 t/a

Seed Per Acre:

Seed Rate: Bush types: 1.6 tones/acre, Climber types: 4-5 tones/acre
Harvesting Period: Harvest when the fruits are tender before ripening.
Yield: 1.6 – 2.4 tones/acre

Soil Preparation, Sowing:

The soil should be well plowed four to five times until it is ready. One row of dolichos should be sown for every 5-6 rows of dolichos when grown in mixed or intercropping. If it is grown by creeping in the canopy, it should be placed at a distance of 3 m. Water immediately after sowing. The seeds germinate in 5-7 days.

Bush : 60X30 cm in Kharif and 45×15 cm in summer should be sown.