ABSTRACT
Department of Agronomy, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Kalyani 741235, Nadia, West Bengal, India
*E-mail: drkajalsengupta@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) is an important annual leafy legume crop grown widely in Southeast Asia. It is a short duration (60-90 days) crop that can be grown twice a year, that is, in spring and autumn. In India, mung bean is mainly cultivated as a pulse crop in three different seasons, namely, spring/summer, rainy (kharif), and winter (rabi); however, this can be used as a fodder particularly during the lean period. It is consumed as whole grains, sprouted form as well as dhal in a variety of ways in homes. It is also used as a green manuring crop. Mung bean can be used as a feed for cattle; even husk of the seed can be soaked in water and used as cattle feed. The green gram fodder contains, on an average, 10-15% crude protein, 20-26% crude fiber, 2-2.5% ether extract, 40-49% nitrogen-free extract, and 11-15% ash on dry matter basis. Fodder value of second cut is generally low.
