Arhar dal, also known as toor dal or pigeon pea, is one of the most important pulses in India. It is nutrient-rich, which helps improve digestion and control cholesterol levels. Since arhar is a legume, farmers across the country cultivate this crop to improve soil health. Mainly grown during the Rabi season, it is a hardy crop that can thrive even in harsh conditions. However, achieving high yields in arhar cultivation still requires proper planning and farming practices.
In this blog, we will describe practical methods to increase your arhar dal yield step by step.
How to Maximise Arhar Dal Production This Rabi Season
The present blog will walk you through effective ways to enhance crop growth and bigger harvests for better profits.
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What is the Right Way to Prepare Soil for Arhar?
Arhar dal grows best in well-drained, fertile soils with a neutral pH from 6.5 to 7.5.
- Before sowing, plough the field deeply to loosen the soil and remove weeds.
- Adding organic manure or compost enriches the soil with nutrients, improving plant growth.
- Ensure that the soil is neither too dry nor too wet at the time of sowing.
Medium HP tractors in the 50–55 HP range make land preparation faster as they can easily operate heavy implements like ploughs and rotavators. Farmers often look at the price of popular models in this range, such as the Farmtrac 60 price, for tractors at competitive prices.
Proper soil preparation encourages root development, helping the plants absorb more water and nutrients.
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How to Choose the Right Variety and Quality Arhar Seeds?
Choosing quality seeds from certified distributors is important to ensure high-quality yields at the end of the harvesting period. The hybrid seed varieties of arhar dal are treated and tested to ensure high productivity as they:
- Germinate faster.
- Resist common diseases.
- Withstand adverse weather.
The popular arhar seed varieties are Pusa Ageti, PPH 4, PAU 881, UPAS-120, and AL-15. Some of these varieties offer early maturity, while others provide high yield per acre. Some varieties, like IPA 206 and IPA 203, are to be grown in particular regions, like Uttar Pradesh or the North-eastern belts.
Consult with the local State Agricultural University or Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for specific varietal and chemical recommendations tailored to local soil and climate conditions.
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How to Sow Arhar Seeds?
Sowing your arhar dal seeds at the right time and in the right manner is crucial for a healthy crop. For the Rabi season, the sowing window usually falls between late October and early November.
Plant the seeds at the recommended spacing. Sow seeds in rows spaced 45–60 cm apart, with 15–20 cm between plants, at a depth of 7–10 cm.
Consider using a tractor-mounted seed drill or a simple manual method, depending on your farm size. Tractors in the 40–60 HP range can assist in both broadcast and line sowing using mechanical spreaders.
Both new and used tractors in this range are easily available at competitive prices. The Sonalika DI 50 price, for instance, ranges between Rs. 6.89 and 7.42 lakh.
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When to Irrigate Arhar Crop?
Water management plays a key role in arhar dal cultivation. Although this crop is moderately drought-tolerant, consistent moisture during flowering and pod formation significantly improves yields. Avoid overwatering, as waterlogged soil can damage roots and reduce crop productivity.
Farmers can use simple irrigation methods like drip or furrow irrigation to save water and ensure the plants get sufficient moisture. Regular monitoring of soil moisture levels helps prevent stress during important growth stages.
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What Fertilisers and Pesticides Should be Used on Arhar?
Do a soil test to understand the needs of the soil before cultivating arhar and apply fertilisers accordingly. A balanced application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium improves plant growth and pod development.
Organic fertilisers like compost or farmyard manure can also enhance soil fertility and encourage beneficial microbes.
For common pests and diseases, follow the pesticide schedule below to protect the arhar crop:
- Blister Beetles: Deltamethrin 2.8EC or Indoxacarb 14.5SC
- Pod Borer: Helicoverpa Armigera, HNPV or Neem Extract, Indoxacarb 14.5SC, or Spinosad 45SC
- Cercospora Leaf Spot: Captan or Thiram
- Wilt: Trichoderma or Propiconazole
- Cankers: Mancozeb 75WP
- Sterility Mosaic: Spray Fenazaquin 10% EC
- Phytophthora Stem Blight: Metalaxyl 8% + Mancozeb
Conclusion
Arhar dal remains one of the most profitable Rabi crops for Indian farmers. Although arhar is an easy-to-grow crop that can flourish even in poor or low-water soils, it still needs proper care for healthy yields. These proven steps will help farmers increase their arhar production while also protecting the crop from unexpected losses. By following these simple steps, farmers can achieve higher yields and better income this Rabi season.
Arhar dal, also known as toor dal or pigeon pea, is a vital pulse crop for Indian farmers, cultivated mostly during the Rabi season. It is nutrient-rich and beneficial for digestion and cholesterol control. Additionally, as a legume, it enhances soil health by fixing nitrogen. This hardy crop can thrive in harsh conditions, but achieving high yields demands meticulous soil preparation, quality seed selection, proper sowing, irrigation, fertilization, and pest control.
Optimal soil for arhar cultivation is well-drained, fertile, with a neutral pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Preparing the soil by deep ploughing and weed removal, along with adding organic manure or compost, enriches it with essential nutrients. Medium horsepower tractors (50-55 HP) can efficiently handle land preparation tools, speeding up the process and promoting strong root development for better nutrient absorption.