Land Preparation
- One deep tillage (25-30cm) during pre-monsoon followed by 2-3 harrowing or 1 light ploughing (10-15cm).
- Leveling to avoid water stagnation.
Seed Selection and Treatment
- use seeds that are not more than 12 months old to ensure good germination.
- Treat with Captan75%WP + Thiram 75% dust @ 1.5+1.5 g for 1 kg seed.
- Inoculate Rhizobium (Bradyrhizobium japonicum).
Sowing time
- Mid-May to Mid-June (1st shower of pre-monsoon, >20mm).
- Delay (after June) reduce yield.
- In Terai: Possibility of post-monsoon planting (August).
Seed Rate
- Plant population: 20-60 plants/m2.
- 70-80 kg/ha for normal planting but may vary from 40-120kg/ha.
- For late sown and spring season: 100-120 kg/ha.
Sowing depth
- 5-5 cm is ideal.
- If planted deeper, germination delayed and reduced.
Sowing method
- Broadcasting and Line sowing (on Flat beds)
- Spacing: 40-60×5-10cm
- Ridge planting: in areas with high rainfall.