Horse gram is an important pulse crop grown mainly in India, particularly in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh. It is well-suited to grow in poor, dry soils with low rainfall. The largest area under cultivation is in Karnataka. It is used as human food and cattle feed. Varieties suited to different states are listed. The crop requires minimal fertilizer or irrigation and is well-adapted to rainfed conditions. Post-harvest processing involves threshing and storing grains after harvesting.

3. Other names: Rabi pulse crop, poor man's pulse crop, test
crop for drought, crop of virgin soils. Ulavalu, Kavam, heruli,
Kulthi

4.  Area Production Productivity
 1. India 1.17 m.ha. 0.56 m.Tons 800 kg/ha.
 2. Telangana. 0.50 lakh. ha 0.25 lakh tones 493 kg/ha.
 The largest area under this crop (0.56m.ha) is in Karnataka.
 It is extensively grown in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu,
Madhya Pradesh parts of Maharashtra.

5.  The grain is used as human food and also
concentrated feed for cattle.

6.  It can be grown in wide range of soils, mostly
on poor lateritic soils and also grown in red
and black soils.

7.  It can be invariably grown as rainfed crop in
areas of low rainfall.

8.  It is grown mainly in August-November
 Seed rate is 25 kg/ha for grain.
 Seed rate 45x10cm.is 40 kg/ha for fodder.
 Spacing required-30x10cm (short duration)
 Long duration – 45x10cm.

9.  Seed purification can increase the percentage of
sprouting, sturdiness, and pest resistance.
 Seed can be treated with cow urine,
Jeevamrutham, Panchagavvya, Biofertilizers
and Amruthapani.

10.  State Varieties
 Telangana, Andhra Pradesh PDM1, PDM2, VZM1,
PHG-62m PHG-9, VZM2, PDP1,
 Palem1
 Bihar BR 5, Birsa Kulthi1, Madhu
 Himachal Pradesh HPK 2, HPK 4 (Baizu Kulthi)
 Karnataka BGM, Behhal, Hurali1, Hebbal Huarali2
 Orissa S27, S28, S39, S164
 Tamilnadu CO1, 35-5-122, 35-5-123
 Other varieties: BGM1, VLG4, TPK2, TPK6

11.  The crop normally receives no fertilizers. A
basal dose of 10kg N, 25kg P2O5, 20kg K2O ha-
1 are recommended.

12.  On nutrients such as those in the soil.
 On the nutrients from the rain.
 On top of the soil fertilizer.
 Above ground microorganisms (nitrogen fixing
bacteria, phosphorus, solubilizer bacteria, potash
solubilizer).
 Depends on the nutrients sprayed on the crops.
 10 tonnes of cattle manure per acre in the last Tillage.
 Spray the liquid Jeevamrutham once every 15 days.
 Spray 3% Panchagavvya at the time of Crop Season
twice or thrice.

13.  This crop does not require much irrigation as it
is grown as rainfed crop irrigation is essential
at flowering and pod formation stage.
 Weeding should be done 25-30 days after
sowing.

14.  Crop rotation –
 Groundnut – Horse gram
 Sesame – Horse gram
 Mesta – Horse gram
 Upland paddy – Horse gram
 Inter cropping:
 Ragi + Horse gram
 Maize + Horse gram
 Niger + Horse gram

15.  Harvesting is done by pickings in the
indeterminate types and cut the entire plant in
determinate type.
 Threshing done with the help of sticks to
separate seed. Then the seeds are stored in
gunny bags. Protect the seed from stored grain
pests it must treat with edible oil.

17.  Horse gram is commonly termed poor man’s
legume. The average protein content is 22%, fat
1%, carbohydrate 62%, ash-4.5%
 Cooked seed and soups are nutritious
 Roasted grains are salted and consumed as
confectionary items.
 Horse gram finds greater use as animal feed
particularly for horses and cattle.
 Green foliage is an excellent fodder source in
South India.