CAZRI Moth Bean Varieties Survive 35-Day Dry Spell
Why in the news
Four new moth bean varieties from ICAR-CAZRI held up well in an El Niño year, getting through a long stretch without rain during Kharif 2026.
Key facts
- Varieties: CAZRI Moth-4, 5, 6 and 7, bred at Jodhpur.
- Dry spell survived: 35 days, 3 August to 7 September 2026.
- Developmental plasticity: the plant flowers near day 30 and tunes its maturity to available moisture.
Moth bean at a glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Vigna aconitifolia |
| Other names | Mat bean, Turkish gram, dew bean |
| Type | Herbaceous short-day annual legume, Fabaceae |
| Main belt | Thar Desert (western Rajasthan); parts of Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab |
| Area and yield | Nearly 10 lakh hectares; about 350 kg per hectare |
| Local rain | 150-250 mm; dry spells last 20-30 days |
Background
- Copes with erratic rain, poor sandy soil and heat beyond 40°C.
- Rhizobium in root nodules fixes nitrogen.
- Pala is the dry fodder it yields, prized for desert livestock.
Exam angle
- Arid zone research institute: ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur.
- Cousins in genus Vigna: moong, urad and cowpea.
- India is the biggest pulses producer, consumer and importer.