Present Status and Future Perspectives of Glycine
and Vigna in India
Pandiyan M., N. Senthil, N. Ramamoorthi and S. K. Ganesh
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Vamban- 622 303
Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA.

Scenario in India

India is the second most populous country. Indians are self sufficient in major food crops
thanks to green revolution in wheat and rice. Pulses
are the second most important group of crops after
cereals. Globally more than two dozen pulse crops
are grown. Area under pulses in the world is 73.2
million ha with a production of 61.72 million tons
and average productivity is 843 kg/ha. In India,
the area under pulses is 23.81 million ha with aproduction of 15.11 million tons and average productivity is 635 kg/ha. India is the largest producer
with 33% of the global area and 25% of the world’s
production. Pulses are relatively more importantin the Indian diet than that in Asia and the world
as a whole. Soybean is known as “Golden Bean”
because it contains 40% good quality protein and
20% oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids alongwith minerals (Ca, P, Mg, Fe and K) and vitamins
specially the B-complex and tocopherols. Additionally, it provides phyto-chemicals in high amounts,
which help to protect the human body against cancer, particularly hormonal based cancers.

I) Vigna species
Vigna species play a vital role in sustainable
pulses production in Indian Agriculture. Vigna spe-

cies account for 31 per cent of the pulse production.
Cultivated Vigna species are the major sources of
dietary protein in the diet of vegetarians. Becauseof their short time to maturity, Vigna species show
great promise for intensification in irrigated andrainfed areas. Besides being a rich sources of protein, they maintain soil fertility through biologicalnitrogen fixation.
During the green revolution, per capita availability of pulses was 69 g/person / day in 1961 by2005 it was reduced to 36 g/person /day. In India,
ICMR recommend the per capita availability ofpulses to be 50 g/person/day at present. To alleviate protein-energy malnutrition, a minimum of 50
g pulses/capita/day should be made available inaddition to other sources of protein such as cereals,
milk, meat, eggs etc. To make up this shortfall in
supply besides, of course, further demand for theincreasing population, at least 20 million tons ofpulses are required by 2015 which is expected totouch 25 million tons by 2015 and 30 million tons
by 2020. This can be realized only by adopting increasingly more productive technologies along withfavourable developmental policies. There is an urgent need for a technology mission for boosting
the production of pulses and legumes. This is aneglected area and should now be a priority.
India is implementing three major schemes
for pulses improvement viz., chickpea, pigeon pea
and MULLaRP. MULLaRP - ICAR scheme comprises of six crops namely mungbean, urd bean,lentil, lathyrus, rajmash and peas. The mungbean
and urdbean are the most important pulse crops ofIndia cultivated over a wide range of agro climatic
zones. These crops are grown in all the seasons as
pure crop, intercrop, bund crop and relay crop.
The major mungbean growing states of thecountry are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Bihar and Tamil Nadu. A phenomenal
increase in area, production and productivity ofmungbean has occurred since 1964-65. This area
has increased from 1.9 million ha in 1964-65 to
4.16 million ha in 2007-08. The production has
increased from 0.60 million tons to 1.32 million
tones during the same period. The increased area
was due to development of relatively photo andthermo insensitive varieties which allowed a great
flexibility in their planting dates. Later, short duration varieties were developed which could fit wellin a wide range of intensive cropping systems. The
increase in area and production has been observedin the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan andKarnataka due to availability of short duration andyellow mosaic virus resistant varieties.
Urd bean is grown in Maharashtra, Andhra
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil- 53 -

Nadu, Rajasthan and Karnataka. The total area under
the crop has increased progressively from 1.98 million ha in 1964-65 to 3.20 million ha in 2007-2008.
Similarly, the production has increased from 0.64
million tones to 1.39 million tones. The increase inarea and production has been observed in the statesof Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. In northernstates, the upward trend in area and production resulted due to adoption of high yielding short duration
varieties with resistant to yellow mosaic virus. Thereis tremendous potential for expansion of mungbean
and urd bean.
Among pulses, mungbean area under cultivation is 4.16 million ha with a production of 1.32
million tons and the average productivity is 379 kg/
ha. Urd bean area under cultivation is 3.20 million hawith a production of 1.39 million tons and average
productivity is 444 kg/ha which is 30 per cent area
covered by these two crops in pulses.
In recent years, their expansion in new niches suchas in rice fallows of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh andOrissa has been remarkable.
SoybeanSoybean is the foremost oilseed pulse crop of
the world. The seeds are rich in both oil (16-21%)
and protein (36-42). The advent of commercial exploitation of soybean in India is nearly four decades
old. In this short spell of time, the crop has shown
unparallel growth in area and production. Till 199899, the crop has shown an average simple growthrate of 14-15 percent per annum. After 1998-99, although the area remained close to 6 million hectares
till 2003-04, the production and productivity showed
fluctuations on account of drought except during
2003 and 2004 of normal rain spells. The growth inarea and production further picked up form 2004–05
on wards. During 2006-07, it is estimated that thecrop was planted in 8.18 million ha with the production of 8 million tons. India is the second largest
importer of edible oil in the world. The supplementation of soybean oil has helped greatly in curtailingthe expenditure on import. Moreover, the crop plays
an important role in national economy by way ofearning foreign money to the tune of approximately
33,000 million rupees (about 733 million US$).
During 206-07, it has touched all time high figuringexport value of 44,000 million rupees (about 977
million US$).
Strategies for Increasing Vigna Production andResearch
The following are the reasons for the low productivity level of Vigna species:» Lack of high yielding varieties adapted to diverse
growing conditions» Large area under rainfed cultivation (88%)» Biotic and abiotic stresses (up to 30% losses)» Poor plant stand» Poor response to high input conditions and better
management» Moisture stress at terminal growth stage» Inadequate seed replacement rate
» Emerging deficiencies of secondary and micro-nutrients» Low risk bearing capacity» Resource poor farmers» Farmers’ reluctance and lack of knowledge about
improved mungbean and urd bean varieties andseed storage methods» Susceptibility of Vigna crops to pest and diseases(pod borers, wilt, mosaic, yellow mosaic virus)» Inadequate technology transfer efforts
To make India pulse sufficient, the productivity level of pulses has to increase substantially fromthe present level. This requires a proactive strategy
from researchers, planners, policy makers, extension
workers, market forces and farmers aiming not only
at boosting the per unit productivity of land but also
reduction in the production costs.
The following approaches require immediate
attention, which can have substantial bearing on thepulse production without further constraining natural
resources.
» Genetic options» Management options» Developmental efforts

Genetic options
Improved plant typePhysiologically more efficient plant types are
essential for breaking the yield barrier in pulses forhigher productivity. Systematic and concerted research efforts over the years have resulted in significant improvement in cultivated Vigna species suchas wider adaptability, yield stability, increased yield,
early maturity, tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses
and market specific characteristics like seed size andcolour. The All India Coordinated Pulses Improvement Project (AICPIP) has played a key role in organizing and guiding strategic and adaptive research- 54 -

through a national network. Focused programmes on
breeding and refinement of production and protection technologies have resulted in a profound effecton crop productivity. Nationally about 450 varieties
of various pulse crops have so far been released, outof which 333 are released after 1960. Among them,
250 released varieties were mungbean and urd bean.
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, one of the leading Universities in carrying out pulses research, hasso for released about 90 improved pulse varietiesand developed agro techniques to suit all the agroclimatic zones of Tamil Nadu. These varieties are
not only high yielding suitable for different agro
climatic zones but also tolerant to biotic and abiotic
stresses thus providing the much-needed stability inthe production.
One of the most important research achievements in Vigna species has been substantial reduction in time to maturity of improved varieties. This
has increased the per day productivity of pulses comparable to any rainfed crops besides making themsuitable for introduction in new niches and diversification of the existing cropping systems. Expansionof urd bean in rice fallows of coastal regions was
possible due to development of short duration varieties like ADT 3. Development of early varieties of
urd bean / mungbean with synchronous maturity andresistance to yellow mosaic virus coupled with terminal stress tolerance has helped their introduction
to newer areas.
Systematic research on inter/mixed croppingwith emphasis on genotypic compatibility and spatial arrangement has led to the identification of efficient intercrops such as pigeon pea with soybean,
groundnut, urd bean, mungbean and sorghum, urdbean / mungbean with sugarcane. These intercrops,in a particular row ratio significantly increase total
productivity and land use efficiency besides leaving
considerable organic matter and nitrogen for the succeeding crops.

Exploitation of hybrid vigour
Some pulse research centers have initiatedresearch work for conversion of CMS lines in urdbean and mungbean for exploiting hybrid vigour.
Exploitation of untapped yield genes
Wide hybridization in cultivated Vigna crops
has been attempted for broadening the genetic baseof cultivated germplasm, creation of genetic variability for efficient plant types, introgression of genes
for wider adaptability and minimizing the risk of epi-

demics. Important traits introduced from wild species
into the cultivated varieties are resistance to MYMV
and bruchid in Vigna . Inter-specific crosses between
cultivated and wild species among Vigna have been
attempted to transfer specific genes for resistance todiseases, insect pests and other edaphic stresses.

Multiple resistance
Vigna umbellata is a stable resistance source
for many biotic and abiotic stresses. Establishmentof wild Vigna garden at the National Pulses ResearchCentre, Vamban, assists the breeders for the introgression of desirable genes into varietal improvement programmes.
Development of nutrient responsive and nutrient
use efficient genotypes
Developing genotypes in Vigna species for
fertilizer response without compromising yield or
quality has great potential. Lower input requirements, reduced production costs and less pollution
could be some of the benefits expected to accrue
with nutrient use efficient plants. Information about
genetic aspects of plant mineral nutrition should bederived to augment research strategies for developing nutrient use efficient genotypes in Vigna species.
Management options
Integrated nutrient management
Vigna have shown varying degrees of response
to fertilizers in different agro-climatic situations. The
present yield level can be boosted up when the balanced application of primary (NPK) , secondary (Ca,Mg) and micro nutrients (Fe, Zn, Molebdenum ) fertilizers is done in time.
Enhancing biological nitrogen fixation
Biofertilizers have an important role to play inimproving the nutrient supply and their availability
in integrated nutrient management in Vigna species.
About 10-15% increase in yield is possible throughinoculation of seed with efficient Rhizobium culture.
Besides Rhizobium , several other free-living microorganisms are reported to facilitate nutrient uptake.
Phosphate solubilizing bacteria helps increase theavailability of phosphorus, which needs to be capitalized. Vascular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (VAM)an obligatory fungus has been reported to increaseavailability of plant nutrients and water, both being
the most precarious in rainfed agriculture.
IPM module against pod borer complex- 55 -

IPM modules for management of this dreaded pest have been developed and field-tested. Useof sex pheromone trap at 3-5 traps/ha for monitoring the pest is recommended. The economic threshold level (ETL) is 1-2 larvae per metre row length.
The integrated pest management strategy comprises
timely sowing to exploit host avoidance phenomenon.

Drought management
Over 80% of Vigna are grown in rainfed areas where drought of different intensities and duration are often experienced causing substantial loss
in productivity. Under these conditions, water harvesting and its recycling, choice of suitable crops
and varieties, planting techniques, seed bed preparation, plant population management, balanced
nutrition, in situ moisture conservation and useof mulches and water absorbing polymers help in
combating drought. Water harvesting which implies
diversion of runoff to an appropriate site throughland treatment and storing in surface reservoirs for
subsequent use as protective/life saving irrigation
has proved a boon in many dry areas. Small farm
ponds with 1-10 catchment areas have been foundquite beneficial which need to be promoted.
Mechanization
Nearly 15 million tons of pulses are being
produced annually in India at present. Most of thepulses are being threshed manually or using animals or running tractor over the heap of dry cropsof pulses. Nearly 10% to 15% of the grains ofpulses go waste with the crop residue as the podsof the pulses don’t break completely in the traditional threshing. The loss of grains is estimatedmore than 1.0 million ton per year, which amounts
to nearly 1000 crore rupees (about 220 million
US$). The traditional threshing methods are labour intensive, and cost for threshing is more than2000 rupees (45 US$) /- per ton of grains. Hence,
modern mechanized implements / tools like pulse
thresher cum grader would be advocated.
DEVELOPMENTAL OPTIONS
An aggressive approach towards transferring
the technologies generated at research stations coupled with developmental policies to ensure timely
availability of critical inputs is warranted for bridging the yield gaps. Four options are readily available for bringing additional area under pulses:❖ Inclusion of short duration varieties of pulses ascatch crop in irrigated areas❖ Introduction in new niches❖ Substitution of existing low yielding crop in theprevailing systems and❖ Pulses as intercrop with wide space planted

crops and relay crop.
Policy Issues
Lack of assured market is one factor for thepoor performance of pulses. Due to serious problem of stored grain pests and lack of storage facilities, farmers are compelled to sell their produce
to middlemen at low price. The minimum support
price announced by the Government does not benefit farmers in absence of procurement mechanism.
Moreover, all pulse crops are not covered under theminimum support price. Therefore, procurement
policy for pulses needs to be strengthened immediately coupled with distribution of pulses through apublic distribution system❖ Minimum support price❖ Market Intervention❖ Reasonable buffer stocks❖ Pulse under public distribution system❖ Credit facilities❖ Crop Insurance❖ Export

Post-harvest Technology and Value Addition
Besides losses during harvest, transportation and threshing, pulses also encounter insect
pest damage during storage, which is estimated to
be around 7.5 %. A mass awareness programme
to educate farmers on scientific storage along with
distribution of seed storage bins can check the postharvest losses and increase the shelf life of pulses.
To generate employment opportunities and to augment income of the farmers, the value-addition andagro-processing activities have to be strengthenedby distribution of efficient Dhal mills and information on final products and by-products of pulses.
This would help protect the resource poor farmers
from the hands of middlemen and market forces,
which tilt towards the consumers at the time of harvest.
Ways to obtain higher yield among Vigna species• Quality seeds of recommended varieties should
be chosen and cultivated• Seed treatment packages should be invariably- 56 -

followed• The seed sowing should be done at appropriate
time as early sowing escapes the attack of many
insect pests and diseases• The lab to land and land to lab techniques is mostimportant for adopting the current technology ofcrop production and for solutions to problems
encountered.
•The plant protection measures should be taken if
needed•Harvesting should be done at appropriate times toavoid shattering of pods.

II) Soybean
Soybean has emerged as an important oilseed
legume crop in India with an average total production of about 7.5-8.0 million tones on an area of over8.0 million ha. During the year 2007-08, the production of soybean is expected to be over 9.0 million
tons on area of about 8.8 million ha, an all time high.
This has been possible due to concerted research
efforts in different areas of soybean production technology. Ninety three varieties have been bred under
AICRP for soybean with different traits namely highyielding, resistant/ tolerance to insect-pest and diseases, early maturity, drought tolerance, food grade
characters etc. The research efforts on processing
and utilization of soybean have paved the way for its
popularization in the country. The major cultivatingstates are Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Research and development(A) Infrastructure
To ease the availability of edible oil andpulses, the government has been consistently making efforts to gear up research and development programmes through TMO (1986) and TMOPM (1991)
and 2004 onward through ISOPOM programmes.
The R&D set up in the case of soybean was always
ahead of its time in India. The ICAR started the All
India Coordinated Research Project on Soybean (AICRPS) in 1967 when hardly any area of significancewas under the crop. Eventually, ICAR establishedthe National Research Centre for Soybean (NRC for
Soybean) at Indore in Central India in 1987 whensoybean covered only about 1.5 million hectares,
nearly one-fifth of the present coverage by the crop.
At present, it has surpassed groundnut rapeseed/mustard in cultivable area and production, the two mostimportant edible oilseeds among nine oilseeds grownin the country.

Crop Improvement• NRC for Soybean is National Active Germplasm
Site and maintaining 3752 accessions of soybean,
which included wild and weedy relatives and varieties released in India. The accessions are evaluated for agronomic traits, diseases and insect-pests
resistance and other useful characters.
• Ninety-three varieties have been developed so far
for different zones of the country and about 30 ofthem are in the seed chain.
• Several varieties like JS 335, JS 80-21, NRC2,
NRC 37, Punjab 1, Kalitur have been developedwith high seed longevity. Eight bold seeded sections retaining good seed longevity under ambientstorage have been developed.
• Varieties like MACS 58, NRC 37, Type 49, Durga,
Punjab 1 are suitable for mechanical harvesting
having high insertion of the lowest pod was identified. The trait of high insertion of the lowest pod
was strongly and positively associated with plantheight.
• Timely release of rust tolerant varieties viz.
PS 1024, PS 1029, Indira Soya 9, MAUS 61,
MAUS61-2 etc. under the AICRPS were useful inthe management of rust. At the NRC for soybean,strains viz. NRC 49, 50 and NRC 51 have been developed that are moderately resistant to rust. Several rust resistant donors (containing genes rpp 1 torpp 4) are available but have failed to show resistance in hot spots for rust. NRC 55 field resistanceto beetle and NRC 57 field resistant to semi-looper
were developed.
• PI 542044 was identified as line devoid of Kunitz
inhibitor and can be utilized in the breeding programme.
• Varieties like Hardee and Punjab 1 and Shilajeet
have been found to have low level of trypsin inhibitor while KHS b2, Punjab 1 and Shilajeet havebeen found to have low level of lipoxygenases.
• Activity of lipoxygenases, the isozymes responsible
for off-flavored was determined in 51 released varieties.
• The production of breeder seed has been raised
to over 16000 quintals in 2006 from 585 quintals
1982.
Crop production technology• Intercropping of soybean with pigeon pea, maize
and sorghum in 4:2 and 2:2 row ratios underrainfed conditions was found to be biologically efficient and remunerative when compared with sole
cropping of soybean.

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• The maximum crop yield and soybean equivalentyield (soybean-wheat and soybean-linseed) wererecorded with minimum tillage. Soybean-wheat
cropping system for irrigate and soybean - chickpea/linseed/safflower cropping systems for rained
conditions was found remunerative.
• With a view to provide sustainability and minimize
cost of production to be competitive, it was considered to bring in diversity in the cropping system.
Inclusion of maize either in crop rotation or in intercropping showed beneficial effect on productivity. Energy utilization and economics of crop culture cropping sequences of longer duration (2 years
or more) are appropriate for providing sustainableproduction of soybean.
• Potassium application needs inclusion in fertilization schedule of farmers. This helps in raising productivity levels through balanced fertilization andalso protects crops from specific pests and water
stress.
• The integrated nutrient management through balanced fertilization with specific inclusion of S and
Zn in fertilization enhance/stabilize the productivity levels of soybean based cropping systems.
• Application of poultry manure (2.5 tons/ha) in
combination with recommended 20kg N, 60kg
P2O5 and 20 kg K2O per ha led to high dry matterproduction and enhanced the soybean seed yieldand results into improved soil health.
• Application of 5-10 t FYM/ha was found sufficient
to fulfill micronutrient requirement for soybean.
• The planting of soybean on broad bed furrow system in vertisols under real farm conditions helps
preventing ill effects of moisture stress and helps
in yield enhancement in soybean as well as of soybean - wheat system.
• Dual inoculation of Bradyrhiyzobium japonicum
and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB ) considerably promoted growth of soybean.
• Integrated weed management schedule comprisingsummer ploughing, recommended herbicide suchas fluchloralin, trifluralijn (as-Pre-plant incorporation), alachlor, pendimethalin, metalachlor, clomazone (as pre-emergence). Imazethapyr, quizalofopethy 1 (as post-emergence herbicide), and ‘dora’
have been recommended. The recommended postemergence herbicide provides an opportunity forherbicide application at later stage if needed.
• Donors such as Hardee, MACS 124 and Pusa 24
were identified as source of desirable physiological attributes viz. high photosynthesis, specific leaf
weight and leaf thickness.

• Screening for drought resistance revealed that varieties Hardee, NRC 7 and JS 81-472 were highyielding but drought - susceptible.
• Varieties/lines resistant to pod-shattering, seed longevity, field weathering, water logging and hightemperature have been identified. Selection criteriasuch as specific leaf weight for high yield. Root toshoot weight ratio for drought resistance, electrical conductivity for resistance to seed deteriorationand pod wall thickness for resistance to pod shattering have been identified.
• A preliminary soybean growth and yield model has
been developed in association with the Centre forApplications of System Simulations. IARI. New
Delhi using INFORCROP generic mode. The
beta version of the same has been released by the
CASS, IARI, New Delhi.
• Soybean model under DSSAT has been calibrated
and validated for simulating soybean growth andyield under Indian condition.
• MACS 330, EC 325097, and EC 34101 were identified as photo – insensitive these can be used inbreeding programmes to develop varieties which
can perform at varying latitudes and spread oversowing dates MACS 330 possesses long juvenile
trait.
• Varieties with 33-35 days to flowering and 90-95
days to maturity are likely to give maximum yieldunder Central Indian weather conditions. Breeders
may develop varieties with these characters.
Crop protection technology• Management schedules of root and foliar diseases(rust, Myrothecium leaf spot, bacterial pustule, yellow mosaic, etc.) have been worked out.
• Study indicated that the primary source of rust inoculums for Karnataka and Maharashtra states are
situated around Krishna River.
• Strain variation in Sclerotium rolfsii an Xant-homonas axnopodis pv. glycines has been established.
• Varieties/lines resistant to major diseases have been
identified.
• Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens
have been found effective for the management ofcollar and charcoal rot. A few natural plant products like species of Lawsonia , Tagetes and Acacia
were found promising for the management of Myrothecium leaf spot.
• Integrated Pest Management for soybean has beenstandardized and demonstrated in farmers’ fields.
The module lead to yield advantage of 3.88 q/ha

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over farmers’ practice.
• Infestation of blue beetle and plant damage due togirdle beetle decreased with increasing levels of K.
• Suitable management practices involving different approaches were worked out. The following
management approaches were found to be effective against major insect-pests of soybean; Blue
beetle - Soil application of Phorate or spray of Bt- Monocrotophos; Green semi-looper - spray of
Chlorpyriphos or Triazophos or Monocrotophos,
Bt alone or Bt+ Monocrotophos Stem fly - sprayof Ethofenprox or Monocrotophos or Trizophos or
Chlorpyriphos’ Girdle beetle - spray of monocrotophos or Triazophos.
• For the management of defoliators and stem bor-ers
along with foliar diseases tank-mix formulation of
Bt + Monocrotophos + Carbendazim / Thiophenate methy 1 had been found effective. In rust prone
areas addition of Triadimafon to the mixture of
Bt+Monocrotophos, contain rust as well as defoliators and stem borers.
• To facilitate scouting and monitoring, managementof spray application and assessment of likely damage, a month wise calendar of insect incidence has
been prepared.
• Effective chemical insecticides have been identified
and recommended.
• Microbial insecticides, based on Bacillus thuringiensis and Beauveria bassiana were found effective
for the management of defoliators.
• On the basis of large-scale field screening and laboratory screening, sources for insect resistance havebeen identified and are being used for developing
insect resistant varieties.

Farm mechanization
Machines namely rotary weeder, intercrop
seed drill, conservation seed drill, FYM spreadingmechanism for tractor trolley, cross mechanism forseed drills, spraying and weeding machine and seed
covering device for seed drills have developed formechanization of soybean cultivation.
Utilization rated R & D work
The research work relate to utilization ofsoybean started in the late 1960’s at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar
and JNKVV, Jabalpur. The work was carried out
to develop food products like soy flour, soymilk.
Soy paneer, soy curd, soy candy, soy nuts, extruded
snacks, fortified traditional foods, soy oil, soy sauce
etc. from whole soybean as well as from defatted soy

flour to harness all the health benefits of soybean.
Future challenges• Molecular tagging of genes responsible for resistance to key biotic and abiotic stresses needs to bedone to assist breeding programmes. Further, research on functional genomics to address some of
the key problems should be initiated.
• A farmer - participatory approach need to be institutionalized and practiced by national programmes
for faster adoption and rapid impact at the farmlevel. This also helps in farmer - farmer seed distribution, which is the major factor in varietals dissemination.
• To improve the nutritional status of mungbean andurd bean consumers, it is essential to develop micro nutrient - dense varieties. The most important
micronutrients, which can be improved throughbreeding, are iron and zinc.
• A combination of conventional and molecular
breeding approaches can lead to new advances inlegume productivity for agricultural development
and improved livelihoods of the rural poor.
• Integrated Crop Management (ICM) technologies
should focus on the entire cropping system withemphasis on year - round and multi- year management.
• There is a need to evaluate the challenging scenario of diseases and pests in a crop sequence asa whole, and detailed information on the ecology,
epidemiology and life cycle pattern of key pests
is essential to develop, validate and promote costeffective IPM modules for pod borer complex andeffective storage systems for bruchid management.
• Development of disease prediction models needs
to be initiated. The precision and accuracy of thesemodels need to be tested and validated at multi
locations for future suitability especially for thedevastating disease, YMV.
• The potentials of local antagonists and bio- agentsshould be tapped and the most suitable ones should
be involved as components of IPM programmes.
• The markets for pulses are thin and fragmented,
new niches need to be identified and appropriately
supported by improved technologies and policies.
• Although governments regularly announces minimum support prices for pulses but their procurement is not so effective as for major cereals. The
government should take measures to ensure thatgrowers get remunerative price for their product.
• Bridging the gaps in research, production, extension, development and policy in a time bound man-

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ner will substantially contribute to national pulses
production and sustainable rainfed agriculture.

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