Topdressing of fertilizer:

The first top dressing is done at the rate of 20-kg N + 25 kg K2O per hectare along plant rows at flowering for higher pod set. A second application of 20-kg N per hectare is done at the beginning of the pod filling stage to improve seed size.

Weed control:

At AVRDC, application of alachlor at 1.5 kg a.i./ha either alone or combined with pendimethalin at 0.75 kg a.i./ha as pre-emergence spray is practiced to control weeds.

Irrigation:

Maintaining proper soil moisture throughout the growing season is important for good quality pods. Usually, first irrigation is needed within a week after sowing under AVRDC soil conditions.

Irrigation is done in furrows. Depending upon weather and soil moisture conditions, the irrigation is continued at 10-15 day intervals until the pods are well developed. However, irrigating the crop is essential at critical periods such as flowering and pod filling stages.