Origin
Macrotyloma biflorum (Schumach. & Thonn.) Hepper var. biflorum, commonly known as horse gram, is a plant species in the legume family (Fabaceae). It is native to various parts of Africa, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. It is also commonly found in Asia, including India and Sri Lanka.
Common Names
This plant is known by various other common names in different languages and regions. In English, it is commonly referred to as horse gram, horse grain, or Madras gram. In India, it is known by various names in different regional languages such as Kulith in Marathi, Kollu in Tamil, Ulavalu in Telugu, and Muthira in Malayalam. In Africa, it is known by different regional names such as Agad in Dinka, Bonja in Amharic, and Uyombo in Swahili.
Uses
Horse gram has various uses. It is widely used as a food crop in India and Africa, where it is used for making a variety of traditional dishes. It is also used as a fodder crop for livestock. In addition, horse gram is believed to have several medicinal properties. It is used in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, to treat various ailments such as asthma, fever, and kidney stones. Moreover, it is also known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for maintaining overall health and preventing various diseases.
General Appearance
Horse gram is an annual herb with a height of up to 60-90 cm. Its leaves are trifoliate, meaning each leaf is divided into three leaflets, and its flowers are small and purple in color. The fruit of horse gram is a pod, which contains one or two seeds. The seeds are small, kidney-shaped, and have a reddish-brown color. Horse gram grows well in arid and semi-arid regions and can withstand drought conditions. It is a hardy crop that requires minimal irrigation and fertilizer, making it an ideal crop for farmers in such regions.
Light Requirements
Macrotyloma biflorum var. biflorum requires full sunlight for optimal growth and development. The plant should be planted in an area with exposure to direct sunlight for at least 6-8 hours per day. Lack of adequate sunlight may lead to stunted growth and poor yield.
Temperature Requirements
The ideal temperature for the growth of Macrotyloma biflorum var. biflorum is between 20-35°C. The plant is sensitive to frost and cold temperatures and may not survive in areas with extreme climates. High temperatures, above 35°C, may also negatively affect the plant's growth and yield.
Soil Requirements
Macrotyloma biflorum var. biflorum prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. The soil should be deep, fertile, and rich in organic matter. The plant may not tolerate waterlogged or poorly drained soils, which may lead to root rot, stunted growth, and poor yield.
Cultivation Methods
Macrotyloma biflorum is a warm-season crop that grows optimally in full sunlight and well-drained soil. The planting process starts with seedbed preparation, which includes the removal of weeds and debris and loosening the soil. 1-2 seeds can be sown per pit with a spacing of 30-40 cm between rows and 10-15cm between plants. The seeds should be covered with soil to a depth of about 2-3 cm. The crop can be intercropped with other plant species to maximize yield.
Watering Needs
The plant requires regular watering throughout the growing season to maintain optimal growth. The frequency and quantity of watering will depend on the soil type, rainfall pattern, and stage of growth. During the germination stage, the soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged to avoid rotting the seeds. As the crop matures, the watering can be reduced, ensuring that the soil does not dry out completely, as this can cause wilting and stress the plants.
Fertilization
The plant requires soil fertilization to provide the necessary nutrients for optimal growth. The fertilizer application should be done at the time of planting and during the growing season. A balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 4:2:1 is recommended. Nitrogen should be applied at a rate of 20-30 kg/ha at the time of planting and during the growing season. Phosphate and potash can be applied at a rate of 10-15 kg/ha.
Pruning
Pruning is an essential management practice that can help to promote the growth and yield of Macrotyloma biflorum. Pruning is done when the plant reaches a height of 25-30 cm. The top of the plant is removed to allow for branching, which leads to the production of more pods and seeds. The pruning process is done when the plant has about five nodes. The lateral shoots can be removed to allow for proper airflow and light penetration. Dead and diseased plant parts should be removed to prevent the spread of infection.
Propagation of Macrotyloma biflorum (Schumach. & Thonn.) Hepper var. biflorum
Propagation of Macrotyloma biflorum (Schumach. & Thonn.) Hepper var. biflorum can be done through three primary methods:
Seed Propagation
Seeds of Macrotyloma biflorum (Schumach. & Thonn.) Hepper var. biflorum are sown directly in the desired location or cultivated in a nursery. Seed germination is enhanced by soaking seeds in water for 24 hours before sowing. The best time for sowing is during the monsoon season. Seeds should be sown at a depth of 2-3 cm in well-prepared soil. The seedlings should be thinned when they reach a height of 5-6 cm.
Cutting Propagation
Stem cuttings of Macrotyloma biflorum (Schumach. & Thonn.) Hepper var. biflorum can also be used for propagation. Hardwood cuttings of around 20 cm are collected during the dormant season and planted in well-draining soil. The cuttings should be inserted into the soil to a depth of about two-thirds of their length. Cuttings should be kept moist and away from direct sunlight. The rooting of cuttings may take around two weeks.
Grafting Propagation
Grafting propagation can also propagate Macrotyloma biflorum (Schumach. & Thonn.) Hepper var. biflorum. Two plants are selected, one as the rootstock and the other as the scion. The rootstock should be selected for its hardiness and disease resistance. The scion should be collected from a healthy plant and grafted onto the rootstock. After grafting, the plant is kept in a shaded area for about a week before being transplanted to the field.
Disease Management
Macrotyloma biflorum is relatively free from major diseases. However, certain fungal and bacterial diseases can attack this plant under unfavorable conditions.
One of the most common diseases that can affect Macrotyloma biflorum is brown spot or leaf blight. This disease is caused by the fungus, Ascochyta macrotyloma. It appears as dark brown spots on the leaves with yellow halos surrounding them. Infected leaves may fall off prematurely. To manage this disease, the diseased plant parts should be removed and destroyed. Fungicides can also be used as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Another fungal disease that can affect this plant is anthracnose. The fungus Colletotrichum capsici is responsible for this disease. It causes leaf spots and stem blights. The affected plant parts should be removed and destroyed immediately. Fungicides can be used to control the spread of the disease.
Bacterial leaf spot is another disease that can affect Macrotyloma biflorum. It appears as water-soaked spots on the leaves that turn brown with time. The bacteria responsible for this disease, Xanthomonas campestris pv. Macrotyloma, can be managed using copper-based bactericides.
Pest Management
Macrotyloma biflorum is also susceptible to attack by certain pests. The most common of these include pod borers, aphids, and whiteflies.
Pod borers are the larvae of certain moth species that bore into the pods of the plant. The damage caused by pod borers can reduce the yield of the plant. To manage this pest, infested pods should be removed and destroyed. Insecticides can be used to control the population of pod borers.
Aphids are small insects that suck sap from the leaves of the plant. They can cause the leaves to curl and appear stunted. Aphids also transmit plant viruses. They can be managed using insecticidal soaps and oils. Natural enemies like ladybugs and lacewings can also be used to control the population of aphids.
Whiteflies are another common pest that can affect Macrotyloma biflorum. They are small, flying insects that suck sap from the undersides of leaves. This can cause yellowing of the leaves and stunted growth. To manage whiteflies, insecticidal soaps and oils can be used. Yellow sticky traps can also be used to trap the insects.
It is important to regularly monitor the Macrotyloma biflorum plants for any signs of diseases or pest infestation. Early detection and intervention can help to prevent the spread of diseases and control the population of pests.
