AICRP on Kharif Pulses

History

Systematic research on pulses in India began with the establishment of the All India Coordinated Pulses Improvement Project (AICPIP) in 1967 at IARI, New Delhi. Initially started at 12 centres, the project was upgraded to the Project Directorate (Pulses) in 1978 and shifted to IARI Regional Station, Kanpur. In 1984, it became the Directorate of Pulses Research (DPR) with a strengthened mandate of basic and strategic research. During the VIII Five-Year Plan (1992–1997), AICPIP was reorganized into three separate projects: AICRP on Chickpea, AICRP on Pigeonpea, and AICRP on MULLaRP (Mungbean, Urdbean, Lentil, Lathyrus, Rajmash, and Pea), each headed by independent project coordinators. In 1992, the research on arid legumes began with the AICRP on Arid Legumes, covering cluster bean, moth bean, cowpea, and horsegram. In 1995, it was shifted from ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi to RAU, Bikaner, and later converted into the All-India Network Research Project (AINRP) on Arid Legumes in 1999 with the headquarters at CAZRI, Jodhpur. In 2015, it was shifted to IIPR, Kanpur. Subsequently, under the XII Plan, the three AICRPs and AINRP were restructured into two projects: All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Kharif Pulses and AICRP on Rabi Pulses, effective from 2020.

About the Project Coordination Unit

Presently, AICRP on Kharif Pulses is headquartered at the main campus of ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. ICAR-IIPR is located at 26o27’N latitude, 80o14’E longitude and 152.4 meter above the mean sea level. It is situated on Grand Trunk Road, 12 km from Kanpur Central Railway Station towards New Delhi. The overall climate varies from semi-arid to arid. The summers are very hot and winters are cool and dry. Currently, the AICRP on Kharif Pulses is headed by Dr. Aditya Pratap, (Project Coordinator) and scientifically assisted by Dr. Biswajit Mondal, Senior Scientist, (Plant Breeding) and Dr. Revanasidda, Scientist- Sr. Scale (Entomology). The unit also has Mr. Rakesh Agrawal, ACTO and Mr. H.G. Rathore, stenographer to look after the office related activities. Contractual research and field staff look after the field and laboratory related research activities besides assisting in routine affairs.

The unit oversees the coordination of multidisciplinary and multi-location evaluation of Pigeonpea, Mungbean, Urdbean, Cowpea, Mothbean, Horsegram, Cluster bean, Rajmash and Rice Bean genotypes, and evaluation of crop production and protection technologies, aimed at enhancing the productivity and production of Kharif pulses throughout diverse agricultural ecosystems of India. The AICRP operates through its thirty-five regular centres as well as several need-based voluntary centres, distributed across five agro-climatic zones of India (Figure 1). With this vast network, the AICRP on Kharif Pulses is responsible for planning as well as coordinating the sharing of experimental materials, monitoring trials/experiments and other research/extension activities, and compilation and documenting the findings of these activities, at national level.

Partnerships

The AICRP on Kharif Pulses has partnered with the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), Government of India to oversee the production of nucleus and breeder seeds for Kharif pulses in India, aiming to fulfill the quality seed requirements of farmers and other stakeholders across the country. Further, it also coordinates the effective promotion of advanced technologies via Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs). In addition, a Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) has been initiated to extend the benefits of innovative technologies to areas of the country with large tribal populations, where Kharif pulses are essential crops. The unit is also working with ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi in rejuvenating, evaluating and characterizing precious genetic resources of pigeonpea at four centers viz. IIPR, Kanpur; ARS, Gulbarga; ARS, Badnapur and SDAU, SK Nagar through CRP Agro-biodiversity platform on pigeonpea. This initiative aims to ensure the availability of core and mini core sets available with stakeholders for effective use by breeders across India. Furthermore, the unit maintains a robust partnership with the PPVFRA, Government of India, in conducting DUS tests for farmers’ varieties and other Kharif pulses varieties developed by scientists from various organizations. The AICRP is also closely collaborating with several international organizations, including ICRISAT, Hyderabad, ICARDA, and WorldVeg, Taiwan/Hyderabad to exchange knowledge and resources, thereby enhancing international cooperation for the benefit of farmers and stakeholders involved in Kharif pulses. Overall, the research capabilities and facilities of the participating centres are being strengthened through timely funding support and linking with various national and international network projects.

Mandate

AICRP on Kharif Pulses conducts, monitors, guides, and coordinates research on nine pulse crops across different centres in India. Its major mandates include strengthening crop improvement, production, and protection technologies; developing quality seed systems; conserving and utilizing genetic resources; conducting DUS testing; and promoting technologies through demonstrations and collaborations. The major mandates include:

• To enhance production of kharif pulses at national level, through intensification and enhanced genetic gain of cultivars.
• Coordination of strategic and applied interdisciplinary research at national level to provide greater grain yield by overcoming yield reducing factors in following areas:
  • Intensification of cultivation through identification, introduction and breeding kharif pulses for new agro-ecological niches.
  • Genetic improvement in yield, quality and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.
  • Development of efficient package of crop production and protection practices suitable to different ecologies and cropping systems.
  • Genetic diversification of crops for alternative and additional uses.
  • Product diversification and value addition for higher economic gain.
• Technology dissemination through FLDs, on farm research, Kisan Mela’s, seminars, etc.
• Human resource development by conducting training programmes for technical staff and farmers on improved pulses technologies for growing pigeonpea profitably.
• Identification of collaborative programmes in pulses research at national and international level.
• Conducting impact study for feedback and refinement of technology.

Objectives

AICRP on Kharif Pulses operates with the following objectives:

• Plant Genetic Resource management (collection, evaluation, maintenance and utilization) in association with ICAR-IIPR and ICAR-NBPGR.
• Development of high yielding varieties (including hybrids in pigeonpea) with multiple stress tolerance and enhanced nutritional quality for different agro-ecological zones.
• Development of location-specific crop production and crop protection technologies.
• Production of breeder seed as per DAC&FW indents to meet quality seed requirement of different pulses.
• Demonstration of newly developed varieties/technologies through FLDs.

Thrust Areas

The major thrust areas of AICRP, Kharif Pulses include the following:

• Maintenance of crop genetic resources and widening the genetic base through pre-breeding and targeted breeding approaches.
• Development of early maturing and photo-thermo period insensitive varieties for diversifying the rice-wheat cropping system.
• Exploitation of heterosis in pigeonpea for development of new high yielding hybrids and development of diverse cytoplasmic male-sterile and R-lines resistant to Phytophthora stem blight (PSB), Fusarium wilt, Sterility Mosaic Disease (SMD) and major abiotic stresses in desired agronomic background.
• Identifying/evolving elite and stable sources of resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses for use in breeding programmes.
• Improving water and nutrient use efficiencies in rainfed production systems.
• Development and dissemination of advanced, cost-effective integrated production technologies for enhanced livelihood of farmers.
• Development of profitable intercropping and sequence-cropping systems to make production of Kharif pulses more profitable.
• Production and distribution of quality seed materials with desired genetic purity.
• Conducting front-line demonstrations and promoting linkages with extension agencies and user industries, promoting farmer-participatory selection at selected target regions.
• Development of harvest, post-harvest and value addition technologies for reducing crop losses
• Development of national database on research efforts, and promote technology exchange with NARS and International partners.

Budget:

The AICRP on Kharif Pulses is majorly funded by ICAR. Small, object-specific funds are also received from PPVFRA, DACFW and other funding agencies in the form of ad-hoc projects. The tentative budget allocation for the period 2025-26 is given in the following table:

Tentative budget allocation 2025-26

Cadre Strength

After merger, the AICRP on Kharif Pulses now operates with a total manpower of 192 at 35 centers across the country. This includes 116 scientific manpower and 76 technical staff. The scientists belong to 3 major disciplines viz., Crop Improvement (Breeding, Genetic resource management and Seed Science), Crop Production (Agronomy, Physiology and Microbiology) and Crop Protection (Entomology, Pathology and Nematology).

Significant Achievements

1. Development of new varieties

• Since its inception AICRP on Kharif Pulses has coordinated the development and release of a total of 602 varieties of Kharif pulses including 193 varieties of pigeonpea, 151 of mungbean, 129 of urdbean, 43 of cowpea, 21 each of horsegram and rajmash, 20 of cluster bean/gaur, and 12 each of mothbean and ric ebean.
• More than 50% of the total 602 varieties were developed and released in the last decade. In the last 10 years alone, a total of 316 varieties have been developed in Kharif pulses. Among these, 59 varieties have been developed in pigeonpea, 62 in mungbean, 57 in urdbean, 25 in cowpea, 9 each in horsegram and rajmash, 4 in cluster bean/gaur, and 5 each in mothbean and rice bean. The details are given below:

*For details of these varieties, please see Project Coordinator’s Report, 2025

2. Production Technologies

Several recommendations on Crop Production and Protection technologies s have been made by the group. The brief of some of these technologies recommended in the recent years is presented below:

Integrated Nutrient Management

1. Two sprays of NPK (18:18:18) @ 2% and ZnSO4.7H2O @ 0.5% (separately) at pre-flowering and pod initiation stages in mungbean and urdbean. Yield advantage of 11.26% (Mungbean) & 9.23% (urdbean)

2. Nano DAP spray @ 2 ml/l at 25 & 40 days after sowing in addition to basal application of 100% phosphatic fertilizer significantly enhanced yield in mungbean

3. RDF (NPK) in pigeonpea can be replaced with application of FYM dose of 4 t/ha along with Trichoderma at the rate of 2.5 kg/ha.

4. Agronomic fortification and yield of pigeonpea with Zn and Fe:

• CZ: RDF (NPK) + foliar application of 0.50% ZnSO4 + 0.50% FeSO4 at flower and pod initiation of pigeonpea to increase Fe, Zn accumulation in seeds.
• SZ: Foliar application of 0.50% ZnSO4 + 0.50% FeSO4 at flower and pod initiation for higher seed and stalk yield in pigeonpea.
• NEPZ: RDF + Foliar application of 0.50 % ZnSO₄+ 0.50 % FeSO₄ at flower and pod initiation for significantly higher yield.
• NWPZ: RDF + Foliar application of 0.50 % ZnSO₄+ 0.50 % FeSO₄ at flower and pod initiation for significantly higher growth and yield
• RDF (N, P, K) + Nano urea (0.25%) and nano DAP (0.25%) sprayed at vegetative, flowering and pod filling stages to boost yield in cowpea.

5. Spring/ Summer urdbean: Spray of Nano DAP (0.4%) at pre-flowering + nano urea (0.4%) at pod initiation

Weed Management

• Post-emergence application of sodium acifluorfen 16.5 % + clodinafop-propargyl 8% EC @ 122.5g a.i./ha at 15 – 20 days after sowing (DAS to control weeds in horsegram with 48.74% yield increase over weedy check.
• Spray of Propaquizafop 2.5% + imazethapyr 3.75% w/w ME @ 62.5 g a.i./ha at 15-20 DAS as post-emergence application to control the weeds effectively in cluster bean with the weed control efficiency of 83.1%.
• PEH spray of fomesafen (11.03%) + fluazifop-p-butyl (5.3%) @ 220 g a.i./ha at 15-20 DAS and propaquizafop (2.5%) + imazethapyr (3.75%) @ 125 g a.i./ha at 15-20 DAS to control weeds in mungbean and uradbean.
• PEH Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 40 g a.i./ha spray at 15 – 20 DAS and quizalofop-p-ethyl 10% EC @ 50 g a.i./ha as PEH at 15 – 20 DAS were effective in controlling weeds in horsegram. Propaquizafop 2.5% + imazethapyr 3.75% w/w ME @ 62.5 & 93.75 g a.i./ha as PEH at 15 – 20 DAS were also found effective in horsegram.
• Sodium acifluorfen 16.5 % + clodinafop-propargyl 8% EC @ 183.75 & 245 g a.i./ha at 15-20 DAS and propaquizafop 2.5% + imazethapyr 3.75% w/w ME @ 62.5 g a.i./ha at 15-20 DAS controlled the weeds effectively in cluster bean.
• Spring/summer mungbean weed control: Spray of ready-mix PEH propaquizafop-p-ethyl (2.5%) + imazethapyr (3.75%) @ 125 g a.i/ha at 15-20 DAS.

Pigeonpea intercropping

• CZ and NEHZ: Pigeonpea + baby corn (1:2) intercropping system recorded a significantly higher pigeonpea equivalent yield (PEY).
• SZ: Pigeonpea + sweet corn (1:2) intercropping had high gross returns.

Water Management

• Scheduling of irrigation at 75% to 100% CPE recorded significantly higher pigeonpea grain yield with a spacing of 120 x 60 cm. Three supplemental irrigations (50 DAS, flowering and pod development stage) has registered higher grain yield.

Yield maximization

• Application of vermi-compost along with pusa hydrogel at 2.5 kg/ha and at Vamban, FYM at 5 t/ha along with pusa hydrogel at 2.5 kg/ha followed by foliar spraying of 2% KH2PO4 at flowering and 2% KNO3 at pod development stage registered higher grain yield.
• Tank mix application of Indoxcarb and TNAU pulse wonder at 5.0 kg/ha, followed by Rynaxipyr application at 15 days later registered significantly higher grain yield and benefit cost ratio.
• Application of FYM @ 5 t/ha pusa hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha + 2% KH2PO4 at flowering + 2% KNO3 at pod development stage recorded significantly higher grain yield and net returns.

Microbial formulations

1. 100 % RDF + seed inoculation with microbial consortia (3-4 ml/kg seed) and soil application microbial consortia @ 5 l/ha, mixed with FYM. Yield advantage of 25.8% and 40.5% over 100% RDF in cluster bean and cowpea.

2. 75 % RDF + seed inoculation with microbial consortia (3-4 ml/kg seed) and soil application of microbial consortia @ 5 l/ha, mixed with FYM. Yield advantage of 15.4% and 25.0 % over 100 % RDF in cluster bean and cowpea.

3. Seed inoculation with microbial consortia LSMR 1+ RB 3 @ 50 g/kg and locally available Rhizobium + PSB each @ 50 g/kg were effective in increasing grain yield of mungbean (NWPZ, SZ) and urdbean.

4. Spring / summer mungbean: Seed inoculation with NPKZn microbial consortia @ 50 g/kg seed and foliar nutrition with nano DAP @ 0.4 % at flower and pod initiation stages along with 100% RDF

5. Seed inoculation with NPKZn microbial consortia @ 50 g/kg seed +100% RDF in cowpea increased yield significantly.

3. Protection technologies

Fungal Disease Control

1. Management of wilt complex in pigeonpea: Seed treatment with Dalhanderma (IIPRTh-33, 31)@10g/kg seed + Soil application + 2.5kg/ha along with 500kg FYM was most effective
2. Management of seed and soil-borne diseases (wilt): Seed treatment with Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% DS 3g/kg (Vitavax Power) and Thiophanate Methyl 45% + Pyraclostrobin 5% FS 2ml/kg (Xelora) were effective in pigeonpea.
3. Management of Macrophomina stem blight in pigeonpea: Spray with Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% WP @ 3g/l on the stem at onset of disease and once more at 15 days interval.

Insect-Pest nd Disese Control

1. Two applications of Beauveria bassiana 1.15 WP @ 5 g/L were effective against whitefly & leafhopper infesting mothbean.

2. Two applications of Spiromesifen 240 SC (22.9%) @ 1.0 ml/L proved effective against leafhopper & whitefly infesting cluster bean.

3. Insecticidal schedules were worked out for insect pest management in pigeonpea across 13 centers.

4. Pod borer control in mungbean: Spray of Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 40 ml (20 g.a.i./ha)

5. Management of Pod bug, Clavigralla gibbosa in mungbean: Two foliar sprays of Deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 500 ml/ha and two foliar sprays of Dimethoate 30 EC @ 500 ml/ha (*Subject to the availability of label claim)

6. Management of flower thrips and whitefly in summer/spring/rice fallow mungbean: Spray of Fipronil 80 WG @ 20 g (40 g a.i./ha) and Cyantraniliprole 10.26 OD @ 350 ml (90 g a.i./ha) respectively.

7. Management of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne spp. in mung bean: Spray of Fluopyram 34.48 SC (Velum Prime) @ 0.625 Lit. /ha. @ 5 DBS and @ 21 DAG (Days After Germination).

Integrated Disease Management

Foliar diseases of mungbean and urdbean: Seed treatment with carbendazim @ 2g/kg and two foliar sprays of propiconazole and carbendazim @ 0.1% were effective in reducing the severity of foliar diseases viz. Cercospora leaf spot, anthracnose, powdery mildew, macrophomina blight and/or Web blight in Mungbean and Urdbean. Seed treatment with imidacloprid 5g/kg + carbendazim (2g/kg) + foliar spray of imidacloprid 0.05% – 25 days after sowing + foliar spray of tubuconazole + trifloxystrobin (0.1%) recorded the lowest incidence of MYMV and Cercospora leaf spot at Vamban, Durgapura, Ludhiana and Pantnagar.

Pigeonpea wilt: Seed treatment with Mancozeb 63% + carbendazim 12% (SAAF) @2.50 g/kg + soil application of T. viride @2.5 kg in 500 kg FYM/ha in furrow application at the time of sowing was effective in reducing the wilt incidence and increasing the grain yield. Further, seed treatment with vitavax powder (carboxin + thiram) @ 3g/kg seed + Trichodermaviride @ 10gm/ kg of seed were also found effective in reducing the wilt incidence and increasing the grain yield in 3 locations out of 6 locations tested.

Pigeonpea sterility mosaic virus disease: Two sprays of propargite @0.1% and Fenazaquin @ 0.1% first spray at 25 DAS and second spray at 15 days after first spray were found effective in reducing the incidence of SMD and increasing the grain yield at all locations tested. Two sprays of dicofol @0.2% and Propargite @ 0.1% first spray at 25 DAS and second spray at 15 days after first spray were found effective in reducing the incidence of SMD and increasing the grain yield, followed by fenazaquin @ 0.1%.

Bacterial leaf blight of cluster bean: Streptocycline 500 ppm (SS) + streptocycline (250 ppm) + copper oxychloride (0.2%) 2 sprays at 15 days interval is highly effective against BLB of clusterbean to minimum disease intensity and higher grain yield.

Root rot of cowpea: Seed treatment with carbendazim 50% WP (2 gm/kg seed) and soil application of Trichodermaharzianum @ 1.5 kg/ha were effective to manage the root rot of cowpea.

Root rot of moth bean: Treatment combination T. harzianum + P. fluorescens seed treatment (4+4 gm/kg seed) + soil application of T. harzianum + P. fluorescens (1.25 +1.25 kg in 50 kg FYM for each/ha.) was found most effective to manage the root rot of mothbean.

Integrated Pest Management

IPM module for sucking pests in mungbean and urdbean

• Thiamethoxam 25 WG 0.4 g/l water 25 DAS followed by Indoxacarb 15.8 EC 250 ml/ha 40 DAS resulted to be least whitefly infestation and pod damage with better crop yield. The minimum pod borer damage and maximum grain yield was recorded in IPM treatment which comprised of seed treatment with Imidacloprid 600 FS @ 5 ml/kg seed + carbosulfan 25 EC @ 3ml/kg seed+Trichoderma @ 4g/kg seed +Rhizobium +PSB at most of the locations.
• Two applications of Spiromesifen 240 SC (22.9%) @ 1.0 ml/L proved effective against leafhopper & whitefly infesting cluster bean.
• Two applications of Beauveria bassiana 1.15 WP @ 5 g/L were effective against whitefly & leafhopper infesting mothbean.

Partners

The NARS partners of AICRP, Kharif Pulses include various State Agricultural Universities, their regional stations/centers, some of the Central Agricultural Universities and ICAR Institutes. The major NARS partners of AICRP on Kharif Pulses are:

• Dr. RPCAU (Pusa), Dholi (Bihar)
• BAU, Sabour (Bihar)
• BAU, Ranchi, Kanke (Jharkhand)
• BHU, Varanasi (U.P.)
• BCKV, Mohanpur, Kalyani (WB)
• CCS HAU, Hisar (Haryana)
• CSKHPKV, Palampur (H.P.)
• PAU, Ludhiana (Punjab)
• RARI, Durgapura (Raj.)
• SKNRAU, Bikaner (Raj.)
• GBPUAT, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand)
• IGKV, Raipur (Chhattisgarh)
• JAU, Junagadh (Gujarat)
• SDAU, S.K. Nagar (Gujarat)
• UAS, Bijapur (Karnataka)
• VNMKV, Parbani, Badnapur (Maharashtra)
• PDKV, Akola (Maharashtra)
• MPKV, Rahuri
• RAK College, Sehore (M.P.)
• JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P.)
• COA, Khargone (M.P.)
• ARS, JNKVV, Sagar (M.P.)
• AU, Kota (Raj.)
• ARS, ANGRAU, Lam (A.P.)
• UAS, Raichur Gulbarga (Karnataka)
• UAS, Dharwad (Karnataka)
• OUAT, CPR, Berhampur (Odisha)
• TNAU, Coimbatore (T.N.)
• NPRC, TNAU, Vamban (T.N.)
• PJPTAU, Warrangal
• UAS, Bengaluru (Karnataka)
• SKUAST, Srinagar (J&K)
• AAU, Shillongani (Assam)
• CAU, Imphal, Manipur
• CoA, Agartala, Tripura

Besides the above centres some voluntary centres are also associated with the AICRP on Kharif Pulses who conduct need-based evaluation trials in different disciplines:

• SKUAS&T, Jammu, Samba (Jammu & Kashmir)
• ICAR-VPKAS, Almora (Uttarakhand)
• RARS, Gossaigaon-783360 (Assam)
• MPUA&T, Dryland Farming Research Station, Arjia, Bhilwara
• ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur 342003 (Raj.)
• PAU, Regional Station, Gurdaspur – 143521, Punjab
• Agriculture University, Mandor, Jodhpur-342304 Rajasthan
• RAU, Pusa Samastipur 848 125, Bihar
• Anand Agricultural University Anand 388 110, Gujarat
• College of Agriculture, N.A.U., Bharuch Campus, Maktampur, Bharuch (Gujarat)
• BTC College of Agri. & Regional Agril. Res. Station, IGKVV, Sarkanda, Bilaspur
• Faculty of Agriculture, M.G.C.G.V.V., Chitrakoot (Satna), M.P. 485334
• MPKV- Oil Seed Res. Station Nimkhedi Road, Jalgaon 425 001 (M.S.)
• MPKV- NARP, ZARS, Aundh Khadki Road, Ganeshkhind, Pune – 411 007 (M.S.)
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai-400085
• ARS, DCMS Buildings, Kamlanagar, Anathapuram-515001 (A.P.)
• ARS near Hugeri, Bidar 585 401 (Karnataka)
• PJTSAU – Agril. Res. Station, Madhira – 507 203, Distt. Khamman (Telangana)
• Regional Agricultural Research Station, Tirupati-517 502, Chittoor Distt. (A.P.)
• Agriculture Research Station, Tandur, Ranga Reddy -501 141 (Telangana)

Annual Report 2025 (Spring/Summer/Rice Fellow (Mungbean & Urdbean), Summer Cowpea and Kharif Rajmash)

For further details please contact

Project Coordinator, AICRP on Kharif Pulses
ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur-208 024
Phone: (Off.):0512-2580985, 2580996, Ext. 6203, Mobile: 9452060055; Fax: 0512-2580992,

E-mail: aicrpkharifpulses@gmail.com, adityapratapgarg@gmail.com