Cluster bean cultivation (forage purpose)

Cluster bean is a very important, drought resistant kharif and summer legume of the arid and semi-arid regions. It is hardy, quick growing and can tolerate high moisture, low fertility and soil salinity to some extent. The pods are used for vegetable purpose. The grains are used for high protein concentrate feed for animals or for extraction of gal actomannan gum as a binding agent in many textile industries and foodstuff uses. The seed contains 31 to 43% monogalectan  gum which is cheaper and higher than other sources. It is used for green manuring. Because of its vigorous growth it quickly cover the land and reduces soil erosion. It is also used for making silage with sorghum, maize etc.

Climate and soil

Climate

Cluster bean tolerates high moisture stress. It is well adapted to arid and semi-arid regions. A well distributed rainfall of about 150 to 200 mm during growing season can meet the water requirement of crop. It cannot with stand water logging and excessive moisture.

Soil

It does not well on sandy loams to deep clay loam soils. The soil should be well drained. It tolerates moderate salinity and soil pH upto 8.5. the soil should be rich in Phosphorus potassium and calcium.

Land preparation

Minimum land preparation is required for cluster bean. Cultivation to a depth of 10 to 12 cm deep is sufficient in dry farming areas. One to two harrowings are enough.

Seed rate and spacing

The seed rate varies with the method of sowing. Broadcasting requires 45 to 50 kg and drilling 35 to 40 kg/ha. The crop is sown in mixture with sorghum, pearl millet, hybrid napier, spear grass as forage crop. When it is sown in mixture, the normal seed rate is reduced to half. The sowing should be done at a row spacing of 30 to 40 cm.

Method of sowing

The seeds are either broadcast and mixed with plough or harrow. In dry farming areas the seeds are sown in open furrows to facilitate quicker germination as there is better retention of moisture in the furrows.

Nutrient management

The land should be manured with 10 ton farmyard manure or compost before sowing. Besides 15kg N, 40kg P2O5, 20kg K2O should be applied as basal.

Water management

Kharif crop in fact does not require irrigation unless there is long dry spell. Summer crop needs frequent irrigation depending upon soil type, climate etc. The crop requires 20 to 25 cm per hectare in 4 to 5 irrigations.

Weed management

A crop under better management grows quickly and suppresses the weeds. However, one to two hoeings and weeding depending upon weed intensity ensures good growth. Chemical weed control in pure stand consists pre-emergence application of Atrazine @ 0.5 kg a.i./ha under irrigated condition. Broad leaved weed in the standing crop can be controlled by spring 2,4-D @ 1.0 kg/ha after 5 to 6 weeks of sowing.

Harvesting

The crop should be harvested at boot leaf stage or immediately after few plants of flowered for fodder. The harvesting should not be delayed beyond 50% flowering as crude protein decreases and crude fibre increases. In multi cut management, first cut is taken at boot leaf stage and subsequently at the interval of 35 to 40 days.

Yield

Good crop yields 350 to 400 quintals of green fodder per hectare. However, under multicut management, the yield goes as high as 700 quintals per hectare.

Also read about Pearl millet cultivation (forage purpose), Sorghum cultivation, Soybean cultivation, Pigeon pea cultivation