MULTAN - Agriculture experts have said that farmers could sow spring season Moong pulse from first week of March till the end of the month. However, sowing in first fortnight of March should be preferred for good results.
In a press release issued by media liaison unit of Punjab agriculture department, experts said that in irrigated areas farmers should sow approved varieties including Niab Moong-2006, Niab Moong-2011, and Azri Moong-2006. In rain-fed areas, farmers should sow Chakwal M-6 variety of 80per cent germination strength at the rate of 10-12 kiloghram per acre.
Plant population of Moong, a pulse that contains 20-24 per cent protein, should be maintained from 135,000 to 170,000 per acre.
Experts said that farmers should treat the seed with Nitrogen and Phosphorous injection in case of first sowing on a field. This treatment increases strength of seed to retrieve Nitrogen and Phosphorous and give good production.
To treat seed sufficient for an acre, farmers should sprinkle solution of three glasses of water and 150 gram sugar, ‘Gud’ or ‘Shakkar’ on the seed. Then Nitrogen and Phosphorous injection be mixed with the seed. This seed be left to dry. Once dried, the seed should immediately be sown to keep the efficacy of the treatment up to the mark.
Moong can give better production from less fertile land. After preparation of the field, Moong be sown in rows in the moist field by drill and row-to-row distance be maintained at one foot or 30 centimetres.
Plant-to-plant distance be maintained at 8-10 cm.
Trimming be performed before the first water application in irrigated areas and some 8-10 days after germination in rain-fed areas to remove additional or weaker plants.
Spring sown Moong need 3-4 water applications. First water be applied three to four weeks after germination, second at flower stage.
Later, water can be applied at fruit formation and grain formation while maintaining a two-week duration.