Black Gram is also known as Urad Bean, Urd Bean and Black Lentil

It grows to a height of 30-100cm

It is a fast growing herbaceous annual legume and originated in India .

The major Black Gram producing states of India are Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Jammu & Kashmir.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Order: Fabales
• Family: Fabaceae
• Genus: Vigna
• Species: mungo

• Seeds and green pods are the most economically important parts of Black Gram.
• Leaves and stems are used as fodder.

Black Gram is grown as a rainfed crop in the warm plains as well as in cool hills.

During kharif, it is cultivated throughout the country.

Black Gram can be grown on a variety of soils ranging from sandy soils to heavy cotton soils.

The most ideal soil is a well drained loam with pH of 6.5 to 7.8.

Black Gram cannot be grown on alkaline and saline soils.

• The major challenges involve Biotic and Abiotic causes.
• Biotic Causes:
  • Major Pests: Aphids, Thrips, Pod Borer, Leaf Hopper, Whitefly and Stink Bug.
  • Major Diseases: Leaf Spot, Powdery Mildew, Anthracnose, Rust and Bacterial Leaf Blight.
• Abiotic Causes
  • Chlorosis
  • Necrosis
  • Browning