Kingdom: Plantae

Division Magnolyophyta

Class Magnolyopsida

Sub-class Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Genus: Vigna

Species: V. mungo

Chromosome no.

2n=22

*Vigna mungo, known as black gram, originated in India

*It is an annual, semi-erect to spreading herb growing to a height of 25-90 cm

*Stem is slightly ridged and covered with brown hairs

*Stems are diffuse, branching sometimes procumbent, covered with long dense brown or black hairs.

*It possesses strong tap root system with many laterals

*Leaves are pinnately trifoliate, hairy with large ovate to lanceolate and entire leaflets

*The leaves are large and trifoliate

*Flowers are pale yellow, small with a yellow spirally coiled keel.

*They are borne in clusters of 5-6 on a short hairy peduncle in axillary racemes

*They are self-fertile and self pollinated.

*Flowering is indeterminate.

*Pods are short, erect to sub erect, brown to black in colour, hairy and with stout hooked beak, containing about 6-10 seeds.

*Pods do not shatter readily.

*Seeds are small, oblong slightly truncated at ends

*Seeds have varying colour from black, dark brown to green.

*The testa is smooth and hilum white and concave.

*It is a warm weather crop.

*Can be cultivated in areas receiving an annual rainfall of 600 to1000mm.

*Grown at an altitude of 1800m.

*The optimum temperature requirement for the crop is 28°c to 32°C.

*It is a short-day plant.

*Important varieties of Black gram are Type 27, Type 56, Pusa 1, Pant 430, Khargone 3, etc.

*With its ability to fix nitrogen it restores the soil fertility as well.

*It proves to be a great rotation crop enhancing the yield of the main crop

*Main and important use of Black gram is to make Dal, also used in making Uttappa, Dosa, Idali, Vada, Dal Makhhani etc.

*Best source of protein, fat and carbohydrates.

*Also contains iron, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamin B

* It has two types of fibers: soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber helps to prevent constipation and soluble fiber helps in our digestion system.

*Also helps to reduce cholesterol which ultimately improves cardiovascular health.

*High amount of magnesium and folate of Black gram support blood circulation.

*Black gram has medical properties which help to heal Rheumatic pains, stiff shoulder and contracted knees