As one of the staple food crops in India, moong or green gram plays a vital role in meeting the growing population’s nutritional needs. With a short crop cycle of 60-90 days and adaptability to diverse agroclimatic conditions, summer moong is a preferred choice for many farmers. However, the traditional moong varieties’ low productivity, susceptibility to disease and pest attacks, and environmental stresses have necessitated the development of improved varieties.
The Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) has been continuously striving to develop and promote improved moong cultivars that can enhance production and profitability. Here are some of the significant improved varieties of summer moong that are widely grown in India:
1. Pusa Vishal: Developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), this moong variety matures in 60-65 days and has a high yield potential of 16-18 quintals/hectare. Pusa Vishal is tolerant to yellow mosaic virus and powdery mildew diseases and shows better adaptation to diverse agroclimatic conditions.
2. ML-267: Developed by the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra, this moong variety matures in 60-65 days and has a high yield potential of 14-16 quintals/hectare. ML-267 is resistant to lodging, leaf blight, and yellow mosaic virus diseases and shows better tolerance to drought conditions.
3. AKM-9202: Developed by the Allahabad Agricultural Institute, this moong variety matures in 65-70 days and has a high yield potential of 15-18 quintals/hectare. AKM-9202 is tolerant to powdery mildew disease and shows better adaptability to diverse agroclimatic conditions.
4. TM-96: Developed by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, this moong variety matures in 65-70 days and has a high yield potential of 8-10 quintals/hectare. TM-96 is resistant to yellow mosaic virus and powdery mildew diseases and shows better tolerance to drought and moisture stress conditions.
5. Shatabdi: Developed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, this moong variety matures in 65-70 days and has a high yield potential of 12-14 quintals/hectare. Shatabdi is tolerant to yellow mosaic virus and leaf spots diseases and shows better adaptability to drought and moisture stress conditions.
The improved varieties of summer moong offer numerous advantages to farmers, such as high yield potential, disease tolerance, and adaptability to diverse agroclimatic conditions. However, the successful adoption of these varieties depends on several factors, including the availability of quality seeds, proper crop management practices, and marketing support. Hence, it is essential to create awareness and provide technical assistance to farmers for the widespread adoption of improved moong cultivars.