Cluster bean is cultivated for vegetable, extraction of cum, fodder and green manure in the dry tracts of India. Being a self-pollinated crop, hybrid seed production is not followed in cluster bean. Sexual propagation by seeds is the only method followed in cluster bean. Sowing of seeds during July - August is most ideal for seed production. The routine cultural operations followed in commercial vegetable production also applicable to the seed crop. However, the standards recommended by regulating agencies should be followed. The plants infected with bacterial blight should not be removed periodically to get disease free quality seeds. From, one hectare area, ten quintals of seeds will be obtained. The harvested seeds should be graded by using prescribed sieves and graded seeds should be treated with fungicides and botanicals. These treated seeds can be stored up to two years in moisture proof containers with eight per cent moisture.
Propagation Techniques, Cluster Bean
Choudhary, B. 2000. Vegetables. National Book Trust, New Delhi, India.
Parthasarathy, V.A. 2003. Cluster bean. In: Vegetable crops. Eds. Bose, T.K., J. Kabir, T.K. Maity, V.A. Parthasarathy and M.G. Som. Naya Udyog, Kolkata. p. 251-262
