Pulses
Moong, Urad & Soybean Farming: Short-Duration Pulse Guide
How to grow short-duration pulses and soybean in India — greengram (moong), blackgram (urad) and soybean: season, seed rate, soil and the best research pulse seeds for kharif and summer.
Updated Fri May 22
Short-duration pulses — greengram (moong), blackgram (urad) — and soybean are the quiet workhorses of a healthy cropping system. They mature fast, fix their own nitrogen, enrich the soil for the next crop, and deliver a quick, market-friendly harvest. Used as catch crops or in their own season, they diversify income and improve land.
Why grow pulses and soybean
Pulses and soybean fix atmospheric nitrogen, leaving the soil richer for whatever follows. Their short duration lets them slot between main-season crops as catch crops, and they spread market risk by adding a different commodity to your farm. For any farmer looking to improve soil and diversify, they are a smart addition.
Greengram (moong) and blackgram (urad)
These short-duration legumes suit both kharif and irrigated summer windows.
- Season: Kharif (June–July); summer (February–March, irrigated)
- Greengram seed rate: ~12–16 kg/ha (kharif), 20–25 kg/ha (summer)
- Blackgram seed rate: ~18–25 kg/ha
- Soil: well-drained light to medium soils
They establish quickly and mature in a short window, so timely sowing and weed control in the early weeks matter most.
Recommended seed:
- Ananta (Research Greengram) – Nirmal — short-duration moong with rapid establishment and efficient nutrient use.
- Varsha-11 (Research Blackgram) – Tau-1 — urad line with compact growth and stable pod development.
Soybean
Soybean is a kharif oilseed-cum-pulse valued for oil and protein meal.
- Season: Kharif, June–July with monsoon onset
- Seed rate: ~70–100 kg/ha (higher, due to large seed)
- Soil: well-drained medium-texture soils rich in organic matter
Good establishment and nodulation are the keys to a strong soybean stand — sow into a warm, moist, well-drained seedbed.
Recommended seed:
- 3035 (Research Soybean) — soybean line designed for stable establishment, nodulation response and oilseed/meal value.
Crop care across pulses
- Keep the first 3–4 weeks weed-free, as young pulses compete poorly with weeds.
- Avoid waterlogging — all of these crops need good drainage.
- Inoculate seed in new fields to boost nitrogen-fixing nodulation.
- Watch for pod-feeding pests during flowering and podding.
The short version
Use short-duration moong and urad as fast, soil-enriching catch crops in kharif or summer, and grow soybean as a kharif oilseed on well-drained, organic-rich soil. Keep them weed-free early, and they reward you with a quick harvest and a healthier field.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are moong and urad sown?+
Greengram (moong) and blackgram (urad) are grown in kharif (June–July) and as irrigated summer crops (February–March). Their short duration makes them ideal catch crops between main-season crops.
What is the seed rate for moong and urad?+
Greengram needs about 12–16 kg/ha in kharif and 20–25 kg/ha in summer; blackgram about 18–25 kg/ha. Soybean needs a much higher rate of roughly 70–100 kg/ha due to larger seed.
Why grow short-duration pulses?+
Short-duration pulses fix nitrogen, improve soil health, fit as catch crops between main seasons, and provide a quick, market-friendly harvest. They are excellent for diversifying and enriching a cropping system.
Recommended Varsha Seeds products
Need help choosing the right seeds?
Talk to the Varsha Seeds team for dealer enquiries, product recommendations and region-specific farming guidance.