Farming Guide for Moong  (Green Gram)

1. Introduction

Green Gram, commonly known as Moong, is a short-duration pulse crop valued for its protein-rich seeds. It can be cultivated during Kharif, Rabi, and Summer seasons depending on the region.

2. Climate and Soil Requirements

Climate

• Warm and humid weather is ideal.
  
• Optimum temperature: 25–35°C.
  
• Sensitive to frost and waterlogging.

Soil

• Well-drained loamy or sandy loam soils are best.
  
• pH range: 6.2–7.5.
  
• Avoid saline and alkaline soils.

3. Land Preparation

• Plough the field 2–3 times to obtain a fine tilth.
  
• Remove weeds and level the field for proper water drainage.
  
• Apply 5–8 tons of FYM/compost per acre during land preparation to improve soil fertility.
  

4. Seed and Sowing

Seed Rate

• Kharif: 8–10 kg/acre
  
• Rabi/Summer: 10–12 kg/acre

Spacing

• Row-to-row: 30 cm
  
• Plant-to-plant: 10 cm

Sowing Depth

• 3–4 cm
  

Sowing Time

• Kharif: June–July (with monsoon)
  
• Rabi: October–November (in South India)
  
• Summer: February–March (with irrigation)

5. Nutrient Management

Basal Dose (per acre)

• Nitrogen (N): 8–10 kg
  
• Phosphorus (P₂O₅): 16–20 kg
  

Moong being a legume fixes its own nitrogen through root nodules. Apply the entire fertilizer dose as basal before sowing.

6. Irrigation

• Kharif crop: Mostly rainfed, provide irrigation only if dry spells occur.
  
• Summer crop: Requires 4–5 irrigations at critical stages:
  
  • Flowering
    
  • Pod formation
    
  • Grain filling
    

Avoid waterlogging at all stages.

7. Weed Management

• First weeding: 20–25 DAS (Days After Sowing)
  
• Second weeding: 40 DAS (if required)
  
• Mulching helps suppress weeds and conserve moisture.
  

8. Pest and Disease Management

Yellow Mosaic Virus

• Spread by whitefly.
  
• Control: Spray Neem oil (2 l/acre) or Imidacloprid 0.3 ml/l.
  

Pod Borer

• Use pheromone traps.
  
• Spray Spinosad 0.5 ml/l.
  

Powdery Mildew

• Spray Sulfur (2 g/l water).
  

9. Harvesting

• Harvest when 80% of pods turn black or brown.
  
• Delay in harvesting may lead to shattering of pods.
  
• Cut plants, dry in the field for 2–3 days, then thresh.
  

Average Yield

• Rainfed: 4–6 quintals/acre
  
• Irrigated: 6–8 quintals/acre
  

10. Post-Harvest Management

• Clean and dry grains to 9–10% moisture for storage.
  
• Store in airtight bins with neem leaves or other natural repellents to prevent pests.