Introduction

Mungbean is an ancient and well-known crop in Asia. It is often included in rice or wheat-based cropping systems in the tropics and subtropics.

The full yield potential of mungbeans is not being realized. There are several constraints including climatic conditions, adaptation of varieties, disease and insect problems, and poor crop management practices.

  top

AVRDC has developed several superior lines for production in the tropics and subtropics. These lines are early- and uniform maturing, high yielding, and disease-resistant.

Early (55-65 days) and uniform maturing mungbeans easily fit into multiple cropping systems. The harvesting cost is reduced too.

Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia have released early maturing cultivars such as Chainat 60. BPI Mg7 and Merpati, respectively, using AVRDC mungbean lines.

AVRDC-improved mungbeans have been named and released directly, or used as parents in breeding programs of different countries. Examples of such varieties are NURI (Indonesia), PUSA-105 (India), Nm-51 (Pakistan), PSU1 (Thailand) and Er Lu No. 2 (China).

  top

Field preparation

In addition to using improved varieties, suitable cultivation techniques are important for high yields. At AVRDC, good yields are obtained by adopting the following suggested cultural management practices. According to your local conditions, you can make modifications wherever required.

Growing mungbean after rice is best. Avoid planting mungbean after mungbean or cabbages because toxic residues and disease organisms from the previous mungbean or cabbage crops may affect the following mungbean crop adversely.

Prepare the field by plowing, harrowing and leveling. Prepare the beds, raised about 20-cm and spaced 1 meter from the center of one bed to the center of the next. 

  top

  top

  top

Water management

Irrigate depending upon weather, soil and field conditions. Usually the first irrigation is required just after seedling emergence.

Later apply 2-3 more irrigations at 10-15 day intervals during the dry season. Generally, no irrigation is needed during the rainy season except when drought occurs.

  top

Weed control

Weedicides such as alachlor at 1.5 kg a.i./ha in summer and autumn; and chloramben at 2.5 kg a.i./ha in spring are applied as a pre-emergence spray to control weeds. Handweeding at about 40 days after planting is beneficial.

Practice intertillage by hand or cultivator once or twice to promote healthy plant growth.

  top

Disease control

Powdery Mildew occurs under cool temperature (20-26ºC) and is favored by cloudy weather. It can cause up to 40% yield loss. In the early stage the disease appears as light yellowish irregular spots on leaves which turn brown quickly. A powdery mass grows over the spots covering the entire leaf surface.

To control powdery mildew, planting of resistant cultivars, if available, is recommended. If using powdery mildew-susceptible cultivars, spray ethirimol at the rate of 200 ml a.i./ha beginning 3 weeks after emergence.

Cercospora Leaf Spot (CLS) commonly attacks mungbeans in the tropics. The disease is recognized by the appearance of leaf spots that are circular to irregularly shaped with grayish white centers and reddish brown to dark brown margins. It can cause yield losses of up to 58%.

The losses due to CLS disease can be avoided by planting resistant cultivars. Crop debris and weed hosts should also be removed at the time of planting. When susceptible cultivars are planted, spray with fungicides such as chlorothalonil at 2 kg a.i./ha at 2-week intervals.

  top

Insect pest control

Beanfly is the most important insect pest of mungbean. It causes significant damage during the seedling stage. The adult flies are too tiny and cannot be recognized easily.

The beanfly maggots feed inside the plant stem and their damage cannot be seed from the outside.

Mungbeans must be protected against beanflies. At AVRDC, monocrotophos or omethoate or dimethoate is sprayed at 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days after emergence. The first three sprays -- 3, 7, and 15 days after emergence - are very important and must not be delayed.

Bruchids, commonly called pulse beetles or cowpea weevils, attack mungbean both in field and storage. But the greater losses occur in stored grains. The nutritional quality of the grains deteriorates because of bruchid infestation rendering them unmarketable.

To control bruchids: clean storage area properly, dry seeds well, and apply non-toxic chemicals such as vegetable oils. For large-scale storage, fumigation with phosphine or other suitable fumigants can be adopted. Always follow the label directions whenever using any pesticides.

  top

 top