Arhar Crop Details for Exam

The pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), often referred to as arhar or toor dal, is a perennial legume that is indigenous to the Old World and belongs to the Fabaceae family. Pigeon peas are widely grown around the world in tropical and subtropical areas, and they are popular in South Asia, South East Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

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About Arhar

The Cajanus scarabaeoides, and Cajanus kerstingii species, which are indigenous to West Africa, India, and respectively, are the closest relatives of the cultivated pigeon pea (Cajanus cajanifolia). Although both Africa and India are home to the two genetic diversity epicentres, West Africa is regarded as the second major centre of origin, with India serving as the primary centre of origin. Arhar is one of the most important legume consumed by a vast majority of Indian population and is also an imported commodity.

History of Arhar

Its cultivation has been traced back to at least 2,800 BCE in peninsular India, where its presumed closest wild relatives Cajanus cajanifolia exist in tropical deciduous forests. There have also been discoveries of Arhar cultivation dating to the 14th century BC at the Neolithic site of Sanganakallu in Kalaburagi and its border region Tuljapur, as well as in Gopalpur and other South Indian states (where even the farming of African domesticated plants like bajra, ragi, and Lablab has also been uncovered). It might have travelled from India to North-East Africa via Trans-Oceanic Bronze Age trade that permitted the cross-cultural interchange of agricultural goods and resources.

Arhar seeds discovered in Egyptian tombs going back to roughly 2,200 BCE are the first indication of pigeon peas in Africa. Through the west and south of the continent, cultivation began in eastern Africa and eventually made its way to the Americas around the 17th century through the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. James Macrae is said to have brought pigeon peas to Hawaii in 1824, and a few of them are said to have become naturalised on the islands. However, their popularity didn’t really take off until much later. Filipinos and Puerto Ricans started migrating to Hawaii in 1906 and 1901 to work on sugarcane farms, respectively, from the American Philippines and Puerto Rico during the beginning of the 20th century. Pigeon peas are said to have been popularised on the island by the Puerto Rican community whereby the First World War their cultivation began, to expand on the island where they are stilled cultivated and consumed by locals.

Arhar Climate Requirements

Pigeonpea is mostly an Indian crop grown in semi-arid locations that are predominantly tropical. In the rainy season (June to October), arhar can be cultivated at temperatures between 26 °C and 30 °C, and in the post-rainy season (November to March), at temperatures between 17 °C and 22 °C. Pigeonpea flowering during the monsoon and overcast weather results in poor pod production because the plant is extremely susceptible to low radiation at the time of pod development.

Arhar Soil Requirements

It can be cultivated successfully on black cotton soils that are well-drained and have a pH range of 7.0 to 8.5. Pigeonpea responds nicely to a seedbed that has been well tilled and well-drained. It is advised to plant in Broad Bed Furrow/Ridge-Furrow in low-lying as well as intercropping areas, zero-tillage sow in intensive cropping systems, and deep plough with soil turning plough in fallow/waste fields. It is advised to use 5 X 3 and 3 X 1.5 feet of spacing when using the raised bed method of planting by dibbing at a depth of 2 inches with row to row spacing of 4 to 5 feet and 15 feet gap (2 pairs of Tur on bed) under intercropping of soybean before transplanting (Dharwad method/SPI).

Arhar Farming Techniques

First fortnight of June: Early maturing types; second fortnight of June: medium- and late-maturing varieties. According to the region, line sowing using a seed drill, Indian plough, or by dabbling on the ridge and beds is advised. For pigeon pea sowing, there are three methods used. The most popular method is flat sowing, while broadbed-furrow (BBF) for extra-early groups and ridge-and-furrow for late maturation groups are the other two. In some rice fallow areas, Chattisgarh, MP, and other states have also implemented pigeonpea bund cropping. In fields that experience poor surface drainage and water logging, the latter two techniques are helpful. In comparison to flat-sown crops, raised beds or ridges also offer improved nodulation and aeration. Extra-early genotypes are sown at ICRISAT using a broad bed and furrow technique, and medium and late duration genotypes are sown using ridges and furrows.

Short-term crops like urd, moong, cowpea, etc. might be grown profitably in the area between the rows. Following important cropping systems are generally followed:

• Maize + Arhar (Rabi)
• Arhar + Urad + Wheat
• Arhar + Sugarcane
• Mung + Arhar + Wheat
• Arhar (early) + Potato + uradbean

Pigeonpea is frequently interplanted with a variety of other crops. Eighty to ninety percent of the pigeonpea crop in India was thought to be intercropped:

• With cereals (sorghum, maize, bajra, ragi and rain-fed rice).
• With legumes (peanut, cowpea, mung bean, black gram, soyabean ).
• With long-season annuals (caster, cotton, sugarcane, and cassava).

Arhar Physiology

The pigeon pea is an upright, transient perennial leguminous shrub that typically reaches a height of 1-2 m, but can grow as high as 2–5 m. It swiftly grows a deadly taproot that is 2 metres deep. The stems are angular, branched, and woody at the base. Trifoliate and alternating leaves are present. The leaflets measure 5-10 cm length by 2-4 cm wide and are oblong and lanceolate. Stems and leaves both have pubescence. At the tips or axils of the branches, the blooms (5 to 10) are arranged in racemes. The papilionaceous flowers are typically yellow in colour. Purple stripes can also be seen on them. Corolla size ranges from 2 to 2.5 cm. The fruit is a 5–9 cm long by 12–13 mm diameter, flat, straight, and hairy pod. It has 2–9 tiny, occasionally hard-coated, brown, red, or black seeds.

Arhar Pollination and Seed Development

Understanding pollination and seed development processes of Arhar plant is crucial so as to carry out hybridisation, proper application of pesticides and fungicides etc.

• The cleistogamous flowers of pigeonpea encourage self-pollination. However, natural outcrossing has been seen in pigeonpea at a rate of 14 to 20%.
• Entomophily is frequently used to cross-pollinate pigeonpea.
• Before the flowers open, self-pollination takes place in the bud, whereas insect pollination is used for cross-pollination.
• When flower buds were pollinated with foreign pollen without being emasculated, there was a low frequency of self-fertilization recorded.
• Anthers dehisce in the bud stage, but they don’t begin to germinate for 24 to 28 hours until the flowers begin to wither. Because the pigeonpea is protogynous, the stigma is receptive 68 hours before anthesis and remains so till 20 hours after anthesis.
• After pollination, fertilisation takes place 48 to 54 hours later.
• Natural outcrossing is influenced by a number of variables at a specific time and location, including a genotype’s flowering behaviour, the existence of an insect population, temperature, humidity, wind velocity, and wind direction.
• Depending on the amount of pollinator bees present and the local climate, the rate of crossbreeding differs from place to place. Pigeonpea outcrossing occurs at a high rate, which makes maintaining varietal integrity difficult.
• Only a small percentage of blossoms develop into mature pods; the majority of flowers die before becoming pods.
• The first week after fertilisation, the endosperm develops quickly.
• Seven days following pollination, seed growth can be seen.
• Although the seed of a pod that is 30 days old has reached physiological maturity, it still needs another 10-15 days to reach the desired moisture content.
• In wild cousins of the pigeonpea, pod shattering is the natural method of seed dispersal, and these seeds germinate in the next crop season. Hence, there should be a two-year waiting period before planting pigeonpea in the same fields or plots.
• Most cultivated pigeonpea pods are indehiscent and do not break until they reach maturity. However, pods have a propensity to break if mature plants are left in the field for an extended period of time.
• Pigeonpea seeds can be planted right away after harvest because they do not exhibit dormancy.
• Regeneration of pigeonpea plants is possible using the vegetative tissue in the artificial media. Seed serves as the primary source of propagation for grain legumes. However, following cutting or ratooning the plants, regeneration in pigeonpea has been noted.

Arhar Crop Diseases

Pigeon peas are susceptible to Phytophthora blight, Alternaria blight, Powdery mildew, Wilt, and Sterility mosaic disease. Below are the diseases’ symptoms:

• Wilt: Dark purple bands form on the stem surface of plants reaching upwards from the base, and Xylem eventually develops black streaks. Such plants have a split open main stem, and the xylem has undergone extensive blackening. In humid conditions, it’s usual to see pinkish mycelial development near the base of wilted plants. In the seedling, blooming, and vegetative stages, it can be seen.
• Sterility mosaic disease: It is brought on by the mosaic virus and is transmitted outside from plant to plant by the eryophyid mite. Reduced in size, leaves become clustered close to branch tips. Plants lack flowers and pods and have a bushy, light green look. Usually, damaged plants are seen in groups. It can be visible during the vegetative growth stage and the pre-flower stage.
• Phytophthora blight: Circular or asymmetrical lesions covered with water on leaves are a sign of foliage blight. The quick growth of the lesions on stems and branches girdles, splits, and dries out the stem. Infected branches and stems are easily broken by the wind.
• Alternaria blight: All aerial parts of plants exhibit symptoms in the form of small, circular necrotic spots that spread swiftly to form the distinctive concentric rings. The patches start out light brown before eventually turning dark brown. Defoliation and drying of infected leaves, branches, and flower buds in cases of severe illness.

Arhar Harvesting and Storage

There are several uses for green pigeon pea pods. The vibrant green seed is favoured for use as a vegetable once fully matured. As a result, pods should be plucked soon as their green hue begins to fade. Typically, handpicking is used for this. Unlike other crops, the leaves of pigeon peas continue to be green until the time comes to harvest the pods. This could make choosing the best time for harvesting difficult. When between 75 and 80 percent of the pods have dried out and turned brown, pigeon pea should be plucked. Inclement weather may make it more likely that mature seeds will be damaged, thus harvesting should be delayed. Pigeon pea plants are typically harvested by chopping off the base of the stem with a sickle, however occasionally machines are employed. The harvesting process is then followed by drying and threshing. Depending on the weather, the harvested plants are bundled and set upright to dry for a week. By utilising a thresher or pounding the dried plants with sticks, the grain and pods are separated. Some locations separate seeds caused by cattle trampling them. In order to ensure that there will be whole seeds available for sowing and for use in dhal to satisfy consumer demand, pigeon pea is typically preserved for extended periods of time.

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Arhar Economy

Pigeon peas can be an annual variety better suited for seed production, or a perennial type with a crop that can last three to five years (even though the seed yield reduces significantly after the first two years). Pigeon pea production is estimated to be 4.49 million tonnes worldwide. India accounts for about 63% of this production. An estimated 5.4 million hectares are used to raise pigeon peas worldwide. Of the 3.9 million hectares used to raise pigeon peas, 72% are in India. Africa is the second-largest source of diversity, and it currently provides 1.05 million tonnes, or around 21% of global production. Africa’s top producers include Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, and Kenya. In the semi-arid tropical regions, pigeon pea is a significant legume crop grown by rainfed agriculture. The three largest arhar-producing continents in the world are the Indian subcontinent, Africa, and Central America, in that order. More than 25 tropical and subtropical nations grow pigeon peas as a solitary crop, in mixtures with grains like sorghum, bajra, or maize, or with other legumes like groundnuts (Arachis hypogea). As a legume that can coexist harmoniously with Rhizobia, arhar-associated bacteria enrich soils by fixing nitrogen in a symbiotic manner. Farmers with limited resources typically grow traditional medium- and long-duration (5 to 11 months) landraces on marginal land where the crop is grown. Recently, multiple cropping-ready short-duration pigeon peas (3–4 months) have been created. Pigeon peas can be produced in locations with less than 650 mm of annual rainfall since they are exceptionally drought-resistant.

Top 10 Arhar Producing Countries

1. India
2. Myanmar
3. Malawi
4. Tanzania
5. Kenya
6. Haiti
7. Dominican Republic
8. Nepal
9. Uganda
10. Democratic Republic of Congo

Top Arhar Producing States in India

While Karnataka has been the largest arhar – producing state in India for the past few years, Maharashtra gives it tough competition and doesn’t lag far behind.

1. Karnataka
2. Maharashtra
3. Uttar Pradesh
4. Madhya Pradesh
5. Telangana
6. Jharkhand
7. Gujarat
8. Orissa
9. Andhra Pradesh
10. Tamil Nadu

Indian Arhar Growing Zones

Arhar as a Food

Pigeon peas serve as a forage and cover crop in addition to being a food crop (dry peas, flour, or green vegetable peas). Pigeon peas provide a satisfying meal when combined with cereals, which is why nutritionists recommend them as a key component of well-balanced diets. To give the dried peas a flavour distinct from green or dry peas, they can be temporarily sprouted and then cooked. By removing the indigestible sugars that would otherwise stay un the cooked dried peas, sprouting also improves the digestibility of dried pigeon peas. Similar to Brazilian feijoada, dried pigeon peas are used to make a soup in Cape Verde called feijo Congo, which is named after the country. Pigeon peas are used in meals like mbaazi na mahamri, which is typically served for breakfast, in Kenya and all over the Swahili-speaking area of East Africa. Nigerian echicha contained in a plastic container. Palm oil, cocoyam, and spice are used to prepare the Igbo meal chcha or achcha in the Nigerian state of Enugu. It is comparable to other foods from the region like ayarya ji and fio-fio. The pods, young shoots, and leaves are cooked and consumed in Ethiopia.

It is one among the most well-liked pulses in India and a significant source of protein in a predominantly vegetarian diet. It serves as the main side dish with rice or roti and is considered a staple diet all throughout India. Fresh young pods are consumed as a vegetable in sambar and other cuisines in the areas where it grows. Pigeon peas are the major component in a meal known as “KBL” in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. “KBL” is an acronym for “Kadyos,” “Baboy,” and “Langka” (jackfruit). It is a flavorful soup made with smoked pigs, preferably the legs or tail, pigeon peas, and a souring ingredient called batuan. To make the soft, extender-like jackfruit meat, the raw meat is diced and boiled. The pigment of the regionally popular variant gives the soup its violet hue. They are used in Hawaii to cook a delicacy known as gandule rice, also known as godule rice, gundule rice, and ganduddy rice. This rice is made in a style that is similar to that of classic Puerto Rican arroz con gandules and comes from the Puerto Rican community on the island.

Arhar Nutritional Information

Arhar Health Effects

Potassium is one of the important minerals included in pigeon peas. It is most well-known as a vasodilator, which might be able to lessen blood vessels’ constriction and subsequently lower blood pressure. Pigeon peas may be a smart addition to your diet if you have high blood pressure or are at a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Pigeon peas’ high protein content is the reason they have established themselves as an indispensable staple of many cultures’ diets. Pigeon peas that have been cooked may have 11 grammes of protein per cup. Since protein is the fundamental component of all living things, including cells, tissues, muscles, and bones, it is crucial for healthy growth and development. Protein is also necessary for the body’s natural cell renewal and repair processes. Pigeon peas contain extremely high quantities of folate, which can have two distinct effects on the body. First of all, anaemia and several neural tube problems in developing children are both strongly associated with folate deficiency. Pigeon peas are crucial since anaemia is a highly common disease in tropical and underdeveloped nations. More than 110 percent of the daily recommended dose of this crucial vitamin may be found in just one cup of pigeon peas.

Every component of the pigeon pea plant, including the leaves, seeds, and peas themselves, may have been utilised in some way to treat inflammatory conditions. Pigeon peas include chemical substances that could assist in reducing edoema and inflammation all over the body. More specifically, mashed pigeon pea paste may have been a well-liked traditional treatment for piles, often known as haemorrhoids. Pigeon peas are moderate in calories and quite low in saturated fats and cholesterol, despite being packed with nutrients. The feeling of hunger in between those modest, mindful meals is a challenge with all diets. Pigeon peas include a plethora of minerals and dietary fibre that may help you feel full longer, speed up your metabolism, and prevent weight gain. In actuality, more nutrients in pigeon peas are converted to useable energy than to fat that may be stored. As previously indicated, pigeon peas have a remarkable ability to convert into energy, and this is mostly because these legumes contain B vitamins. Niacin and riboflavin actively encourage the body’s metabolism of carbohydrates and may stop fat from being stored, increasing overall energy levels without causing weight gain. This is perfect for those who work physically hard occupations, live in arid areas, or have to deal with odd temperatures that quickly sap their energy.

When it comes to keeping nutrients, raw is sometimes preferable, and since these beans have higher levels of vitamin C when eaten raw, it is wiser to do so. If you cook the peas, the vitamin C level may decrease by over 25%, so keep them raw if you need an immune system boost! Vitamin C helps the body produce white blood cells and functions as an antioxidant, encouraging overall health and a robust immune system. Pigeon peas may be a fantastic option for preserving heart health due to its high potassium, dietary fibre content, and low cholesterol levels. Dietary fibre can assist maintain a healthy cholesterol level and prevent atherosclerosis, while potassium eases the load on the heart by decreasing blood pressure. Pigeon peas, like many legumes, may be a good source of dietary fibre, which is known to aid in digestion. Constipation, bloating, cramps, and diarrhoea can all be less frequently experienced because to fiber’s ability to bulk up the stool and encourage more regular bowel movements, which also reduces strain and inflammation.

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