Popularization of Horse Gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) in Vellore District of Tamil Nadu

Horse Gram, Macrotyloma uniflorum (Fabaceae) although rich in proteins (20%) but due to less acceptable taste and flavour of cooked products, it is consumed only by the farming community and low-income groups. In Tamil Nadu, total area cultivated under horse gram crop is 48, 000 ha and covering an area of 8, 000 ha in Vellore district. It is mostly grown under rainfed conditions during the month of October after the receipt of north east monsoon. In order to introduce new potential horse gram varieties, on farm trials were conducted through Krishi Vigyan Kendra during 2014–15. It was found that 32.35 per cent higher yield was obtained in the recommended variety CRIDA 18R over the local variety with higher BCR of 2.4. In the succeeding year 2015–16, front line demonstrations were conducted and found that variety CRIDA 18R of horse gram gave higher grain yield over the local variety Paiyur 2, with a net return of 29.7 per cent higher than the local variety. Thus, the study clearly revealed that the variety CRIDA 18R has more potential than the local variety under rainfed conditions of Vellore district.