Pigeon pea (Arhar/Tur) holds a special place among pulse crops. It contains 20–21% protein, which is highly nutritious. Its deep roots fix nitrogen in the soil, improving fertility and productivity.

Arhar thrives in dry and rainfed areas, making it ideal for semi-arid regions. Major producing states in India include Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

🌾 Major Arhar Varieties

Farmers can choose from early, medium, and late maturing varieties depending on the region and climate.

⚡ Early Maturing Varieties

• UPAS 120
• PUSA 855
• PUSA 33
• PUSA Ageti
• Azad (K 91-25)
• Jagruti (ICPL 151)
• Durga (ICPL-84031)
• Pragati

🌿 Medium Maturing Varieties

• Type 21
• Jawahar Arhar 4
• ICPL 87119 (Asha)
• VSMR 583

🌾 Late Maturing Varieties

• Bahar
• BMAL 13
• PUSA 9

🌼 Hybrid Varieties

• PPH-4
• ICPH-8

🌱 Suitable for Rabi Sowing

• Bahar
• Sharad (DA 11)
• PUSA 9
• WB 20

🌤 Sowing Time

• Early varieties: First half of June.
• Medium & late varieties: Second half of June.
• Sowing should be done using seed drills or behind the plough in rows for better plant spacing.

🌍 Land Selection and Preparation

• Well-drained loamy soil is best.
• Waterlogging can damage the crop, so select fields with good drainage.

Land Preparation Steps:

1. Deep ploughing with a moldboard plough.
2. Followed by 2–3 harrowings for fine tilth.
3. Level the field to ensure proper drainage and aeration.

💧 Fertilizer Management

Balanced nutrition improves yield and quality. Recommended fertilizers (per hectare):

Nutrient	Quantity (kg/ha)
Nitrogen (N)	15–20
Phosphorus (P₂O₅)	50
Potash (K₂O)	20
Sulfur (S)	20

For zinc-deficient soils: 15–20 kg zinc sulfate per hectare.
For best results: 100 kg DAP + 100 kg gypsum per hectare for N and P + S supplementation.

🌾 Seed Treatment & Inoculation

🔹 Seed Treatment

• Protect against soil-borne diseases using:
  Thiram 2 g + Carbendazim 1 g per kg of seeds.
• Treat 2–3 days before sowing.

🔹 Seed Inoculation (Rhizobium Culture)

• 1 packet of Rhizobium culture is sufficient for 10 kg seeds.
• Mix with jaggery or sugar solution, coat the seeds, dry in shade, and sow the next day.

🌿 Sowing Distance & Seed Rate

Type	Row-to-row spacing	Plant-to-plant spacing	Seed rate (kg/ha)
Early	45–60 cm	10–15 cm	12–15
Medium/Late	60–75 cm	15–20 cm	12–15

💦 Irrigation & Drainage

• Arhar is mostly rainfed, but irrigation improves flowering and pod formation.
• Proper drainage is crucial, especially in low-lying areas; ridge sowing is recommended.

🌿 Weed Management

• First 60 days are critical for weed control.

Cultural Methods:

• First weeding: 25–30 days after sowing
• Second weeding: 45–60 days

Chemical Control (if weeds are severe):

• Use Lasso (3 kg) or Vaseline (1 kg) in 800–1000 liters of water at last ploughing.

🐛 Pest and Disease Management

🌸 Major Pests

1. Pod Fly: Bores into pods, feeding on seeds.
2. Pod Borer Caterpillars: Damage flowers, buds, pods, and seeds.
3. Pod Maggot: Feeds on seed sap, causing shriveled seeds.
4. Plum Moth: Creates red mold around pods.
5. Bristle Beetle: Feeds on flowers and young pods.

🧪 Control Measures

Agricultural Practices:

• Deep summer ploughing
• Crop rotation
• Synchronous sowing in the region
• Maintain recommended fertilizer doses
• Intercrop with sorghum, maize, or groundnut

Mechanical Control:

• Use pheromone traps
• Shake plants to drop caterpillars and collect for destruction
• Encourage birds in the field

Biological Control:

• Spray NPV 5000 LE/ha + jaggery 0.5% mixture in the evening
• Apply Neem or Karanja oil (10–15 ml/L)

Chemical Control:

• Spray Dimethoate 30 EC (0.03%) or Monocrotophos 36 SL (0.04%)
• Apply three times: first at initial flowering, second at 50% flowering, third at pod formation

🌾 Harvesting & Threshing

• Harvest when 80% of pods mature using sickle or danda at 10 cm above ground.
• Bundle and dry for 4–5 days.
• Thresh using pulman thresher or manually, separating grains from straw.

Yield:

• 15–20 quintals of grains per hectare
• 50–60 quintals of biomass

🏠 Storage

• Moisture content should not exceed 10–11%.
• Protect from pests using 2 Aluminium Phosphide tablets per ton.

💰 Government Support Schemes

1. Seed Minikit Scheme: Selected farmers receive 4 kg advanced seeds + Rhizobium culture + pamphlets free.
2. Beej Gram Yojana: Training + ₹375 per quintal support.
3. Pod Borer Control: ₹250/ha for NPV use.
4. Pesticides & Herbicides Subsidy: Up to 50% cost.
5. Farm Equipment Subsidy: Up to ₹2000 for hand/animal-driven tools.
6. Sprinkler Irrigation: 33–50% subsidy for efficient water use.
7. Rhizobium & Micronutrient Use: 50% support.
8. Training Programs: ₹15,000 for groups of 50 farmers.

🌱 Additional Information and Government Resources

If you want more information about soil testing, fertilizer recommendations, or crop nutrition management, you can visit the official website run by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India:
🔗 Soil Health Portal – Government of India

On this portal, you will find:

• Facility to view your land’s Soil Health Card
• Crop-wise fertilizer recommendations
• State-wise agricultural expert advice
• Useful information related to organic farming

🙋‍♂️ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which soil is best for arhar?
   Loamy soil with proper drainage is ideal.
2. When is the best sowing time?
   First half to second half of June.
3. Average yield of arhar?
   15–20 quintals of grains per hectare with modern techniques.
4. Which pests are most harmful?
   Pod fly, pod borer caterpillar, and pod maggot.
5. When should irrigation be done?
   During flowering and pod formation.
6. What is the seed rate?
   12–15 kg per hectare.
7. Which fertilizers are essential?
   Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potash, and Sulfur.
8. How long does it take to mature?
   150–180 days depending on the variety.
9. How to treat seeds before sowing?
   With Rhizobium culture and fungicides like Thiram.
10. Can arhar be grown in rainfed areas?
    Yes, deep roots and leaf folding make it suitable for dry regions.

🌾 Conclusion

Arhar farming is profitable and sustainable, improving both income and soil fertility.

By adopting modern varieties, balanced fertilizers, pest management, and government schemes, farmers can significantly increase their income.

🌱 Dear farmers, arhar is not just a pulse crop but a step towards self-reliant and profitable farming. Embrace modern practices today and reap a rich harvest with arhar! 🌾