New variety of horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) ‘CRIDA 18R’ released for south India

Abstract

A new promising ‘CRIDA 18R’ horsegram [Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.] variety was developed by mutation breeding (g rays irradiation) and released for south India in 2009. It matures in 85–87 days and yields in the range of 750 to 1 150 kg/ha, has high pod number and has synchronized brisk podding behaviour. The normal sowing period is from August second fortnight to September end. However, with north east monsoon rains it can be sown even in October. This variety responds to fertilizer up to 20 N+40 P2O5 and has 29.6% protein content. The variety is brown seeded and pods do not shatter, an important parameter which saves/conserves seed yield, when harvesting is delayed. It is tolerant to yellow mosaic virus, powdery mildew and mites. It recorded maen grain yield of 912.0 kg/ha in farmers’ fields in various districts of Andhra Pradesh, which is 40% higher over the local varieties.