Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Environment
Why in News?
Recently, 4 newly developed drought-tolerant moth bean varieties, CAZRI Moth-4, 5, 6, and 7, developed by the ICAR–Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur.
Moth Bean
- It is extremely drought-resistant Kharif pulse crop.
- Botanical Name - Vigna aconitifolia.
- Native - South Asia, predominantly cultivated across hot, rainfed, and marginal desert ecosystems of the Thar Desert (western Rajasthan), Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab.
- Agronomic Value
- Acts as a vital source of plant-based protein and essential nutrients for arid rural populations.
- Yields protein-rich green and dry fodder (pala) for livestock during dry post-monsoon periods.
- Assists in soil nitrogen fixation, crop rotation, and sand-dune stabilization.
Key highlights of the recent field performance
- Severe Moisture Deficit- During the critical growth phase, the crop experienced a 35-day moisture-less dry spell with a cumulative pan evaporation of ~180 mm.
- Resilience at Critical Stage - Despite surface soil moisture (0–10 cm) dropping from 15–16% to 5–6%, the sub-surface moisture (10–40 cm) sustained the deep root zone, allowing the 55-day-old crop to remain green and set profuse pods.
- Mechanism of Adaptation
- Early Flowering - Starts flowering within ~30 days of sowing.
- Developmental Plasticity- The plants dynamically adapt their growth cycle and maturity timeline based on soil water availability.
- It accelerates reproductive maturity before severe physiological drought sets in.
Optimal Crop Management Practices
- Sowing Geometry - Timely sowing with monsoon onset using a spatial arrangement of 45 cm × 10 cm.
- Soil Interculture -Mechanical interculture executed at 20 days post-sowing to conserve soil moisture, break capillary action, and control weeds.
- Performance in Poor Soil - Achieved high survival and pod development even under poor soil conditions (low organic carbon of 0.13–0.18% and high alkalinity pH 7.9–8.1).
Reference
Deccan Herald | ICAR-CAZRI’s moth bean varieties
