The MUNGBEAN Plant

Description of Plant
Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek)
is one of the most important legume crops
in South and Southeast Asia. It is in the
Legume family of plants and is closely
related to adzuki and cowpea (in the same
genus but different species). It is a warm
season annual, highly branched having
trifoliate leaves like the other legumes.
The plant is upright and vine types of
growth habit occur in it, with plants
varying from one to five feet in length. Root system consisting of a
well-developed taproot with deeply placed lateral roots; stem much
branched, with a tendency to twine at the tips, angular, covered
with long spreading hairs. Leaves alternate, 3-foliolate (sometimes
5-foliolate), dark green; stipules 5–18 mm × 3–10 mm, peltate,
ovate, rhomboid or obovate-oblong; petiole 5–21 cm long, rachis
1.5–4.5 cm long; stipels conspicuous, 5–10 mm long; petiolules 3–6
mm long; leaflets entire or 2–3-lobed, 5–18 cm × 3–15 cm, elliptical,
rhomboid or ovate, base broadly cuneate or rounded, apex
acuminate, glabrous or hairy on both surfaces, distinctly 3-veined
from the base, the lateral leaflets unequal-sided.
The pale yellow flowers are borne in clusters of 12–15 near the
top of the plant. Mature pods are variable in color (yellowish-brown
to black), about five inches long, and contain 10 to 15 seeds. Self-
pollination occurs so insect and wind are not required. Seeds are
2.5–4 mm × 2.5–3 mm × 2.5–3 mm, globose to ellipsoid or cube-like.
Mature seed colors can be yellow, brown, mottled black or green,
depending upon variety. These round to oblong seeds vary in size
from 6,000 to over 12,000 per pound, depending upon variety.
Germination is epigeal with the cotyledons and stem emerging from
Editorial Team:
the seedbed.
Ms. Solita R. Sicat Mungbean resembles black gram (Vigna mungo (L.)) with two
Ms. Ma. Teresa S. Buño main differences: the corolla of Vigna mungo is bright yellow while
that of Vigna radiata is pale yellow; mungbean pods are pendulous
whereas they are erect in black gram. It is also slightly less hairy
than black gram.
The more common vernacular names include: mungbean, green
Printed at the Information Section
gram, golden gram (English), balatung (Tagalog), dau-xanh
Bureau of Plant Industry
(Vietnamese), Nong taao or pua sha (Hmong), moy-ashimame
February 2014
(Japanese), Iu tou (Mandarin Chinese), look dou (Cantonese As a food source mungbeans have some valuable properties.
Chinese), Haricot mungo, mungo, ambérique, haricot doré (Fr.), Products which need high consistency under high temperature
Feijão mungo verde (Po.), Mchooko, mchoroko (Sw). benefit from the heat stable viscosity of mungbean starch.
B. Labor
Origin and major types Land Preparation Tractor rental 6,500 6,500
The plant has been grown in India since ancient times. It is still plowing by carabao manday 6 225 - 1,350
harrowing by carabao 2x manday 8 225 - 1,800
widely grown in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America and
furrowing by carabao manday 5 225 - 1125
Australia. It was apparently grown in the United States as early as Fertilization manday 4 225 900 900
1835 as the Chickasaw pea. There are 3 subgroups of Vigna Planting manday 5 225 1150 1150
radiata: one is cultivated (Vigna radiata subsp. radiata) and two are Off barring manday 2 225 450 450
wild (Vigna radiata subsp. sublobata and Vigna radiata subsp. Weeding manday 15 225 3375 3375
glabra). Irrigation (Optional) manday 2 225 450 450
Spraying fungicide/
Production Trends insecticide manday 4 225 900
Spraying FPJ/EM5-Plus manday 6 225 - 1,350
Mungbean is native to the Indo-Burma region with India, Hilling-up manday 2 225 450 450
Burma, Thailand and Indonesia producing almost 90 per cent of the Spot weeding manday 5 225 1125 1,125
world's production. Harvesting (3 primings; manday 30 225 6,750 6,750
processing, and drying)
In the Philippines, data from the Bureau of Agricultural Seed cleaning manday 2 225 450 450
Statistics show that the highest volume of production for the past SUB TOTAL 22,500 20,725
five years in the Philippines was achieved in 2011, with 45,283 TOTAL PRODUCTION COST 35,370 28,665
metric tons from the total production area of 32, 960 hectares. In Gross Production
2012, area planted to mungbean was 44, 324 hectares and total 80
volume of production was 32,364 metric tons with the province (conventional) kg 0 60 48,000
60
ofIsabela as the top mungbean producer contributing 26% to the
(Organic) kg 0 80 48,000
country’s production. However, national average yield per hectare NET INCOME 12,630 19,335
remains quite low at 0.73 metric ton.
The Philippines imported 30,736 mt of dried mungbean worth References
US$5.4M in 2006; up by 0.13% in tonnage and by 11.7% in value Alternative Field Crops Manual. https://www.hort.purdue.edu/
than in 2005. In 2006, the country exported 20 mt of dried newcrop/ afcm/index.html
mungbean worth US$27,553; down by 86% in tonnage and by 45%
in export earnings compared to 2005. Chadha, M. L. 2010. Short Duration Mungbean: A Success in South
Asia. Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research
San Mateo, Isabela is the biggest producer of mungbeans in the Institutions (APAARI). 55 p.
Philippines with a production of 800 to 1,000 kilos/ha at the
prevailing price of P32 per kilo. This translates to incomes ranging www.bas.gov.ph
from P25, 600 to P32, 000 per hectare. This means a P224-million www.bpre.gov.ph/phindustry/mungbean.htm
additional income for local farmers during summer. The town has
more than 7,000 hectares of farms planted to mungbeans during http://www.avrdc.org/LC/mungbean/production/field.html
the dry season and it is now declared as the “Mungbean Capital of http://www.avrdc.org/LC/mungbean/production/harvest.html
the Philippines.”
http://tropicalfruitandveg.com/showdetail.php?
Nutritional Values srcname=Mung&img=seed
PCARRD Handbook, 2002. Mungbean Varieties.11 pp.
Mungbean, (Vigna radiata - Green), (Vigna mungo - Black). http:// Fermented Plant/Fruit Juice liter 6 350 2,100
www.pulseaus.com.au/Mungbean.aspx Sacks piece 50 20 1,000 1,00
SUB TOTAL 12,870 7,940
Vigna radiata (L.) R.Wilczek. Prota 1: Cereals and
pulses/Céréales et legumes secs Record display.
http://database.prota.org/ PROTAhtml/Vigna%20radiata_En.htm
the harvestable pods by hand. Repeat harvesting every 3 to 5 days.
The number of primings (number of harvesting) depends on the Mungbean is rich in easily digestible protein (24%). It adds
available soil moisture and fertility, and on the condition of the much-needed diversity to the cereal-based diets of the poor. The
crop. protein is easily digested and is of a high quality, making it based
food preparations especially good for children, elderly people and
Right after harvesting, sun-dry invalids.
mungbean pods. When pods are
sufficiently dry enough, thresh by placing It also contains vitamin A (94 mg), iron (7.3 mg), calcium (124
the dried pods in sack and beating it until mg), zinc (3 mg) and folate (549 mg) per 100 grams dry seeds.
all seeds severed from the pods. A Mungbeans are also high in vitamins B1, B2 and C and niacin.
mechanical rice thresher may be used for In the diet it should be noted that mungbeans are not a perfect
large scale production. Take precaution protein source and should be consumed with other sources of
not to damage the mungbean seeds. Clean the seeds and sundry protein which have high percentages of sulphur-containing amino
until 12% moisture content is reached. acids, such as cereals, rice and sesame.

Post Harvest Uses (Culinary)

Storage It is used as a raw material in mungbean sprout production,
Store mungbean seeds in tight containers or in nylon/jute sack. sotanghon manufacturing, hopia making, and in dishes such as
Store them in a cool, dry place protected from rodents. Practice soups, porridge, bread, noodles and ice cream. Its agronomic
good sanitation to prevent storage pest infestation like weevils. You characteristics permit it to fit in various cropping systems as an
can also mix dried neem seeds or leaves, or dried hot pepper (siling intercrop, rotation, and relay crop. In addition, its crop residues
labuyo) with the mungbean seeds. can be used as fodder.

Cost of Production and Return on Investment (ROI) for a One- Varieties

Hectare Land Recommended local mungbean varieties can be sourced from
the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and its National Crop Research
Unit UNIT Cost/ha Cost/ha and Development Centers particularly at La Granja in Bacolod and
of QT PRICE (PhP) (PhP) Los Banos in Laguna; Institute of Plant Breeding-University of the
ITEMS/ACTIVITY
Y Conven Organi
Measure (Php) Philippines at Los Banos (IPB-UPLB); Department of Agriculture-
-tional c
A. Farm Inputs Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Centers (DA-RIARCs);
Mungbean seeds kg 20 80 1,600 1,600 and from accredited private seed growers.
Inoculant pack 4 10 40 40 For your guide, please refer to the list of National Seed Industry
Fuel liter 80 51 4,080
Tripple 14 bag 4 1,200 4,800 -
Council (NSIC) approved mungbean varieties.
Organic Fertilizer bag 20 150 3,000
Insecticide kg 1 900 900 -
Fungicide kg 0.5 900 450 -
Botanical Pesticides (EMS-
Plus liter 4 300 1,200
 Pag-asa 13 0.88- 66 DAE Has yield advantage of 13%
(NSIC Mg 8) 2.66 over Pagasa 3; yield
comparable to Pagasa 7; has
glossy green seeds and is
recommended for post-rice
crop-ping in Region 1 and
pre- & post-rice croppings in
Region 2.
List of NSIC Approved Varieties
Varieties Yield (t/ha) Maturit Remarks
y
Pag-asa 1 1.04- 57-59 Released by the Phil. Seed
1.31 days after Board (PSB) in 1977. Has
emergence shiny green seeds; fairly d. Practice crop rotation with non-legume crops. Many
(DAE) resistant to Cercospora Leaf pathogens survive between cropping seasons on crop debris.
Spot and Powdery Mildew; Continuous monoculture of crops allows the pathogens to
pods are ex-posed above the
perpetuate and multiply. Crop rotation will reduce the survival
leaf canopy allowing more
effective pest control of pathogens in the field.
measures and faster e. Practice deep plowing to bury plant debris. Pathogens survive
harvesting; second flush of between planting seasons on plant debris. Deep plowing will
flowers after priming is physically remove plant debris and likewise hasten
completed and contributes to decomposition. As the debris decays, the pathogens will also die
about 25% of the total out.
harvest. f. Plant disease resistant cultivars and varieties. Plant
Pag-asa 3 1.10- 63-73 Released in 1983; has shiny resistance is the most efficient and least expensive disease
1.57 DAE yellow seeds.
management practice. However, resistance to all known diseases
Pag-asa 5 1.10- 60–76 Released in 1986; has shiny
is not available; thus resistance may not last forever. Pathogens
1.46 DAE green seeds and is tolerant to
water logging. sometimes develop new strains which overcome plant
Pag-asa 7 1.00- 62–74 Released in 1989; has shiny resistance.
1.70 DAE green seeds; resistant to g. Use fungicides only when necessary. When disease pressure is
Cercospora Leaf Spot; high, fungicides are effective and profitable. Apply at proper time
performs well in partially and rate following label instructions.
shaded areas (under coconut); h. Employ appropriate crop management practices. This
tolerant to drought; suitable includes good drainage, fertilization, irrigation, weed control,
for sprout production as well and insect management. It promotes healthy, vigorous crop
as starch source for the
growth that enables the plant to be more tolerant to pathogens.
manufacture of noodles
(“sotanghon”) i. Disease management is best accomplished using an
1.12- 60-61 Released in 1999; has glossy integrated approach. This involves incorporating as many of
1.20 DAE green seeds, slender pods the principles listed above.
which are almost parallel to
the ground; moderately C. Weed Control
resistant to Cercospora Leaf
Pag-asa 11 Spot. Thrives in acid soil; Weed control is critical when mungbean grows slowly 2-3 weeks
(PSB Mg 5) drought tolerant and a good after emergence. To minimize weed growth, prepare the land
N-fixer. thoroughly before planting. Fifteen days after planting, off-barring
should be done to loosen the soil and eradicate weeds. This will be
followed by hand weeding to totally eradicate remaining weeds.
Right after weeding, immediately do the hilling-up by passing a j. Plant high quality, preferably certified seeds. High quality,
carabao-drawn plow in between the rows of mungbean crop not certified seeds reduce the possibility of introducing pathogens
only to eradicate remaining weeds but also to improve plant into the field. It also produces vigorous seedlings that sustain
anchorage. Moreover, option of spot weeding should also be done less seed decay and seedling disease.
when weed population is high during the growth and development k. Practice fungicide seed treatment (for fungal diseases).
of the crop. Fungicide seed treatment protects seeds and seedlings from
seed-borne and soil-borne pathogens. It is inexpensive and
Harvesting effective.
l. Use recommended seed bed preparation, planting depth, and
Mungbean is harvested by priming. Harvesting is done 60-70
seeding rates. This will promote rapid seedling emergence and
days after planting. Mature pods turn brown and then black.
vigorous seedling growth; and prevent disease infection and
Begin harvesting as soon as 75% of the pods have dried up. Pick
seedling decay.
5. Chemical Control – most commonly employed to control or kill
pests (also known as pesticides). Effective against large pest
populations; act within a short period of time, and are readily
available in the market. However, despite their advantages in
pest control, the frequent use of pesticides often results in
problems such as resistance, adverse effects to non-target
organisms, hazardous to users and can lead to environmental
contamination. Hence, pesticides should only be used when
necessary. It should be integrated with other forms of pest
control.

B. Diseases
1. Cercospora Leaf Spot (CLS) – caused by
fungus Cercospora sp., which is prevalent
during wet season. The first visible
symptom of infection is the appearance of
water-soaked spots on the leaves. The
spots then turn tan to reddish brown
necrotic areas with a small gray center. The
individual spots may coalesce causing large
dead areas on the leaves.
2. Powdery Mildew – caused by Erysiphe
polygoni; develops under high relative humidity
and cool nights. Its first visible symptom is the
appearance of small, white, powdery spots on the
upper surface of the leaf. The whitish fungal
growth occupies part or the entire leaf surface.
Infected leaves become yellow, then brown and
finally fall off.
Disease Management
 1.07- 57–58 Recommended for both wet drates.
1.18 DAE and dry season planting; out-
yields PSB Mg2 by 6% and
PSB Mg4 by 23% in wet BPI Mg 5 1.10-1.4 62 DAE Released in 1986; has glossy
season and 10% in dry (“VC2764”) green seeds; weighs 6.1 g/100
season; moderately re-sistant seeds; moderately resistant to
to Cercospora Leaf Spot; has Cercospora Leaf Spot and
comparable yield with drought Powdery Mildew; non-lodging;
Pag-asa 15 tolerant Pagasa 7. Under seeds contain 23.3% protein
(NSIC Mg 9) limited water conditions, fixes and 61.1% carbohydrates.
69.9% kg/ha N under post- BPI Mg 7 1.20- 62 DAE Released in 1988; has glossy
rice conditions; has glossy (“VC 1973”) 1.50 green seeds; weighs 6.6 g/100
green & medium-sized seeds; seeds; moderately resistant to
and weighs 5.1 g/100 seeds. Powdery Mildew; resistant to
1.07- 57-88 Has glossy green & medium- Cercospora Leaf Spot and
1.15 DAE sized seeds; weighs 5.3 g/100 rust. It is non-shattering; and
seeds and moderately seeds contain 22.7% protein
resistant to Cercospora Leaf and 61.5% carbohydrates.
Spot; yield advantage over BPI Mg 9 1.03- 62 DAE Released in 1989; has glossy
PSB Mg2 and PSB Mg4 at (“VC 2768” or 1.14 green seeds; weighs 5.8 to 6.1
Pag-asa 17 20% in wet season and 9% in Taiwan Green”) g/100-seeds; moderately
(NSIC Mg 10) dry season; and has the resistant to Powdery Mildew;
ability to fix 88.14 kg/ha N. resistant to Cercospora Leaf
MG 50-10A 1.00- 60–65 Released in 1969; has glossy Spot, and rust; is non-lodging
(“Wonder”) 1.30 DAE green seeds; weighs 6.7 g/100 and non-shattering; seeds
seeds; susceptible to Cercos- contain 23.6% protein and
pora Leaf Spot and Powdery 62.6% carbohydrates.
Mildew; responsive to high BPI Mg 1 0.98- 61 DAE Released in 1995 and has
plant density; seeds contain (“VC 3890” or 1.50 glossy green seeds; weighs
46.7% carbohydrates, 22.2% Ellen C”) 6.2-6.3 g/100 seeds;
protein, and 1.4% fat. moderately resistant to
MD 15-2 1.00- 60-65 Released in 1969; has glossy Cercospora Leaf Spot, rust,
(“Super”) 1.30 DAE green seeds; weighs 6.8 g/100 and virus; seeds contain
seeds; susceptible to Cercos- 24.87% protein and 59.12
pora Leaf Spot and Powdery carbohydrates.
Mildew but non-shattering. 1.15- 61 DAE Released in 1996; has dull
BPI Glab #3 1.00- 60-65 Released in 1971; has glossy 1.30 green seeds; weighs 6.3-6.5
(“Miracle”) 1.30 DAE green seeds; weighs 6.8 g/100 g/100 seeds; moderately
seeds; susceptible to Cercos- resis-tant to Cercospora Leaf
pora Leaf Spot and Powdery Spot, rust, virus & Powdery
Mildew; has hairless pods and PSB Mg 2 Mildew; seeds contain 23.08%
seeds contain 58-63% carbo- (“VC 3876” or protein and 68.02%
hydrates and 24-26% protein. Mabunga”) carbohydrates.
BPI Mg 2 1.10- 56-57 Released in 1984; has glossy
(“VC 1163”) 1.40 DAE green seeds; weighs 6.1 g/100
seeds; moderately resistant to 1.1-1.35 61 DAE Released in 1996; has glossy
Cercospora Leaf Spot and yellow seeds; weighs 5.4
Powdery Mildew. It is non- g/100 seeds; moderately
lodging; seeds contain 21.4% resistant to Cercospora Leaf
protein and 63% carbohy- Spot, rust, virus & Powdery
PSB Mg 3 Mildew; seeds contain 24.44%
(“VC 2764 Y” or protein and 66.11% flowering stage. Moreover, assassin bug at the rate of 1,000
“Ginintuan”) carbohydrates. nymphs or adults per hectare starting from the onset of
flowering up to pod development can control lepidopterous
insect pests.

4. Bruchids (Callosobruchus maculatus) - commonly called pulse Control Measures:

beetles or cowpea weevils. It attacks a. Spray appropriate insecticide following the recommended
mungbean both in field and storage but dosage, 1-2 days after seedling emergence.
greater losses occur in the latter. The b. Biological control is recommended such as the application of
nutritional quality of the grains Trichogramma chilonis at the rate of 200 strips per hectare
deteriorates because of the infestation divided into weekly application starting seven days after
rendering making them unmarketable. emergence up to 40 days.
c. Weekly spraying of naturally fermented solutions (NFS) is
Control Measures: also recommended.
a. Maintain sanitation in the storage
area by cleaning storage area properly, 2. Aphids (Aphis glycines
b. Dry the seeds well, and apply non-toxic chemicals such as Matsumura) – can damage
vegetable oils. the young plants. It can
c. Dried leaves of lagundi (Vitex negundo L.) can be also used. also transmit deadly
d. For seed purposes, treat the seeds with insecticide following viruses.
recommended dosage.
e. Phosphine fumigation is the only chemical treatment Control Measures:
approved for cowpea bruchid control. a. Spray appropriate insecticide directly to
the aphid colonies.
General Insect Pest Control Strategies b. Biological control is also recommended
The following are some strategies to control insect pests of such as spraying of naturally-
mungbean: fermented solution, and Effective
Microorganisms 5 (EM5).
1. Insect Pest Identification – to be able to determine what
control measure you are going to employ, know what particular 3. Pod borer (Etiella zinckenella Treitschke) – lays its eggs on the
pest to control, its life cycle and nature of damage. petals or sepals. The larva feeds on the flower buds or
2. Cultural Control - this includes the different field operations immature seeds within the pods.
that promote favorable growth of the crop while at the same Control Measures:
time could effectively control insect pests by directly destroying a. Timely spraying of appropriate insecticide following the
them, or interfere with their normal biological processes and recommended dosage indicated on the label.
make the environment unpleasant for the insect pests such as b. Biological control such as Trichogramma chilonis application,
sanitation and crop rotation. and weekly spraying of naturally fermented solution and
3. Mechanical Control - involves the use of special equipment or vermitea for preventive measure. Likewise, application of
operations. Generally, this gives immediate and tangible results. assassin bug is also recommended at 1,000 bugs per hectare
Examples: handpicking and light trapping. at the onset of flowering.
4. Biological Control - use of parasites, predators and pathogens
to minimize or control the pest. Every pest species has one or 5. Green Soldier Bug or stinkbugs (Nezara
more natural enemies which prevent their population from viridula L.)- observed unusually high
increasing to a disastrous level. Example: application of populations of this pest (3-4 insects/meter
Trichogramma chilonis at the rate of 200 strips per hectare at row) uniformly over an entire field when
weekly interval starting 20 days after germination up to pods are still green.
 Control Measures: In the Philippines, mungbean can be grown during the wet
a. Spray infested crop with appropriate insecticides following season (May-June); dry season (September-October); and late dry
the recommended dosage. season (February-March). High humidity brought about by
b. Biological measures such as EM5, vermitea, and naturally continuous rains could severely reduce the quality of harvested
fermented solutions (NFS) sprayed at weekly interval are seeds. It can be profitably grown in different types of soil with pH
recommended as preventive practice. ranging from 5.8 to 6.5.
PSB Mg 6 1.0-1.16 60 DAE Released in 1999; has glossy It is fairly well adapted to sandy loam soils and a dry condition,
(“VC 3995” or green seeds; weighs 5.6-6.3 which gives it a competitive advantage and permits it to fit in
“Centennial g/ 100 seeds; moderately various cropping systems as an intercrop, rotation, and relay crop.
Mungo”) resistant to Cercospora Leaf
Spot, rust and virus; seeds If grown during the wet season, the soil should be well-drained.
contain 24.57% protein and Heavy soils are suitable only for dry season planting because
60.51% carbohydrates. mungbean is sensitive to extended periods of water-logging.
PSB Mg 7 1.08- 58 DAE Released in 2000; has dull
(“VC 3737A” or 1.11 green seeds; weighs 5..3-6.2 Just like other crops, mungbean production can be affected by
“Mabunga 2”) g/100 seeds; moderately several constraints such as erratic weather, insect pests and
resistant to Cercospora Leaf diseases, poor management practices, and the use of inferior or low
Spot, rust, and virus; seeds yielding varieties or cultivars.
contain 24.54% protein and
62.61% carbohydrates. Cultural Management Practices
3.63 58 DAE Released in 2001; has glossy
Land Preparation
green seeds; weighs 6.4 g/100
seeds; moderately resistant to Prepare the land thoroughly so that mungbean seeds can
Cercospora Leaf Spot, and germinate uniformly, establish rapidly, and compete well with
rust; seeds contain 24.03% weeds. For the uplands, prepare the soil thoroughly by plowing
NSIC Mg 11 protein and 62.79%
alternated with harrowing at weekly interval. For post-rice culture,
(“Kintab”) carbohydrates.
NSIC Mg 14 1.09- 58 DAE This variety has dull green
zero or minimum tillage can be practiced.
1.65 seeds; moderately resistant to Planting
Cercospora Leaf Spot; seeds
contain 23.76% crude protein, Drill the seeds along shallow furrows spaced 60 centimeters
65.98% carbohydrates, 43.5% apart. Twenty (20) kgs of seeds is enough to plant a hectare. If seed
starch, 4.2% ash, and 0.64% inoculant is available, moisten the seeds with water, then mix the
crude fat. inoculant until all seeds are coated. Keep the newly inoculated
NSIC Mg 17 1.28- 56-58 This variety has glossy green seeds under shade until they are planted.
1.54 DAE seeds; has 24.12% crude
protein, 63.4%, carbohydrates At planting, sufficient soil moisture is necessary so that the
and 3.78% ash. seeds can germinate uniformly. For post-rice culture, flood the
paddy 1-2 days before planting. Then, drain the water before
Cultivation broadcasting the seeds.
Soil and Climatic Requirements Water Management
Mungbean is a dry season crop and can be grown best in Mungbean is relatively tolerant to drought. However, it needs
rotation with rice or corn in an optimum temperature ranging from sufficientamount of water during its critical stages of growth and
20 to30oC. It needs plenty of sunlight and a daylength of 11.5 to development (germination, vegetative, flowering and pod-filling
13.0 hours. stages).
 The daily water requirement of mungbean differs, depending on 1. Bean fly (Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner) – the most destructive
intensity of solar radiation and rate of evaporation. In general, the insect pest in early vegetative stage. It inserts its eggs into the
crop requires 3.5 millimeters of water per day or about 410 cotyledonary leaves. The emerging larva tunnels from the leaves
millimeters per cropping season. towards the stem and pupate within the stem just slightly above
the soil surface, eventually causing wilting and stunting of the
If there is residual rain and sufficient soil moisture, during the
plants.
early dry season planting (September-October), supplemental
irrigation is not needed. On the other hand, late dry season
planting (January-March) requires irrigation at its various critical
stages of development. Overhead sprinkler or furrow irrigation may
be used to irrigate the field.
Nutrient Management
Mungbean obtains nitrogen through its symbiosis with the N-
fixing bacteria in the roots. Excessive nitrates from applied fertilizer
will restrict N fixation.
The amount of phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) removed by
the crop (when it yields 2 tons per hectare) is the basis for deciding
the amount of fertilizer to be applied to avoid depletion of these
major elements. In P- and K-deficient soils, about 30-45 kgs per
hectare each of these elements should be applied before planting.
In commercial production of mungbean, fertilization rate and
type of application depends on the results of soil analysis. However,
in the absence of such analysis and during dry season cropping,
basal application of three bags (150 kgs of complete fertilizer (14-
14-14) per hectare is recommended for heavy soils (loam to clay
loam), and four bags (200 kgs) for light soils (sandy to sandy loam).
You can also apply organic fertilizer if you want to produce
mungbean organically as well as to improve the soil conditions.
It is recommended to inoculate the seeds with appropriate
Rhizobia strain inoculant right before planting. Then apply only 20
kgs per hectare of nitrogen which can be supplied by 150 kgs of
Triple14. Do not expose the newly inoculated mungbean seeds to
direct sunlight. For upland planting, apply fertilizer evenly in
furrows and evenly cover with a thin layer of fine soils before
planting the seeds. With a machine applicator, the fertilizer is
drilled 5 centimeters slightly below the side of
the seeds at planting. This makes the fertilizer
readily available to the roots of the growing
young seedlings.

Crop Protection
A. Insect Pests