<div>Background: Cluster bean was cultivated as a catch crop without external fertilization, solely to recharge the soil fertility and to harvest the residual nutrient after maize crop; clusterbean had been included as a succeeding crop. Doubling the fertilizer for maize would leave more residues. Even though maize is an exhaustive crop, since the nutrient uptake was need based, the excess fertilizers were effectively utilized by cluster bean.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field research was carried out at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore under irrigated conditions. Experimental trials were adopted to estimate the effect of high density with nutrient management practices on maize which influences the performance of succeeding cluster bean under maize-cluster bean cropping sequence during Rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19 by using cultivar Pusa Naubahar. No separate treatments were adapted to cluster bean crop.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results of cluster bean sown after the high density of 1,33,333 plants ha-1 maize with nutrient level of 200 per cent RDF produced taller plants, higher drymatter production (636 and 607 kg/ha), increased yield attributes, higher yield (6.58 and 6.81 t/ha) and better economics (B:C ratio -1.87 and 1.94) in both the seasons. Post-harvest available nutrient status revealed that the higher population by closer spacing with increased fertilizer levels (T7) maintained its superiority during both the years. Moreover, this proved to be the most viable practice for production and residual nutrient uptake, by including pulse (cluster bean) as succeeding crop and soil health was effectively maintained by fixing atmospheric nitrogen by cluster bean.</div>

Effect of Maize High Density Planting on Cluster Bean Performance under Maize-cluster Bean Cropping Sequence

<div style="text-align:justify">The present experiments were carried out at Department of Horticulture, Dr. PDKV, Akola and Regional Research Centre, Amravati during the years 2013-14 and 2014-15. Fifty five genotypes of cluster bean were assessed for genetic divergence&nbsp;using Mahalanobis D2 technique. Among the characters studied in all four environmental conditions, gum content in seed&nbsp;(63.50%), plant spread (17.17%), number of primary branches per plant (4.65%), days to first flower (3.77%), hundred&nbsp;seed weight (2.09%), days to 50 % flowering(1.95%), seed to husk ratio (1.68%) and ten dry pod weight (1.35%) contributed&nbsp;95 percent to the total divergence. Genotypes were grouped into 8 clusters using Tocher&rsquo;s method. Cluster V was the&nbsp;largest group, involving 17 genotypes followed by twelve genotypes were grouped in cluster IV, eleven genotypes in&nbsp;cluster III and six genotype each in cluster I and II. The remaining solitary clusters (VI, VII and VIII) contained only one&nbsp;genotype each. The genotypes from the solitary clusters showed high divergence and useful in breeding. The intra-cluster&nbsp;distance ranged from 0 to 9.15. Cluster V possessed the highest intra-cluster distance (D2=9.15), followed by cluster IV&nbsp;(D2=6.34), cluster III (D2=4.71), cluster II (D2=3.31), and cluster I (D2=2.65). The clusters comprised of only one genotype&nbsp;had zero intra-cluster distance (cluster VI to VIII). The average inter-cluster distance reveled&nbsp; the maximum divergence(D&sup2;)&nbsp;between cluster V and VIII (D&sup2;=37.26) followed by cluster III and V (D&sup2;=29.92), cluster VI and VIII (D&sup2;=25.51). On the&nbsp;basis of inter cluster distance and performance observed in the present study a breeding programme involving genotypes&nbsp;for a specific character has been selected using cluster mean.</div>

Genetic divergence studies in cluster bean genotypes

Background: Cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub] has a special contribution among the pulse crops and recognized as one of the important commercial crop of arid and semi-arid region. Being a leguminous crop it is a source to replenish nutrients especially nitrogen of the low fertility soils and enhances the soil fertility and also can withstand moisture stress. Various biotic and abiotic constrains in cluster bean were responsible for lowering average yield of crop as compared to its potential yield. Thus, it becomes imperative to sustain the productivity of clusterbean by gathering the information and behavior of disease distribution pattern in the zone. The current study therefore greatly emphasized to find out the occurrence and distribution pattern of diseases in major cluster bean growing areas grid region of northern Madhya Pradesh.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: An intensive survey was conducted with an objective to access the prevalence and intensity of diseases of cluster bean in sixteen village of three district of grid region of Madhya Pradesh between 2018-19 and 2019-20.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Investigation in respect of survey conducted concludes that alternaria leaf blight, dry root rot and bacterial leaf blight are the major concern diseases of cluster bean which directly affect the yield (Chand and Gandhi, 1978). Alternaria leaf blight (19.90%) and Bacterial leaf blight (11.60%) disease intensity was maximum in Gwalior district while maximum dry root rot (4.25%) incidence&nbsp; was recorded in Morena district.&nbsp;

Occurrence and Distribution of Cluster Bean Diseases in Grid Region of Madhya Pradesh

Cluster bean is an important legume cultivated mostly on marginal and sub marginal lands of arid and semi-arid regions. Overall, India produces around 80% of global cluster bean production. It is cultivated on more than 4 m ha in India, Rajasthan alone accounts for &nbsp;around 80% of the area and production. Owing to its demand in the international market, it has been introduced in the non-traditional growing areas like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. Further, its cultivation is also being taken up under irrigated conditions during summer. Cluster bean seed (endosperm) is a source of a natural hydrocolloid (galactomannan/&lsquo;guar gum&rsquo;). The gum has unique abilities with multiple commercial applications like textile, printing, paper, cosmetics, mining, pharmaceutical, petroleum, natural gas, well drilling and oil industries. Green pods are nutritionally rich and are routinely consumed as vegetable especially in northern and western parts of India. Additionally, cluster bean has been reported to have beneficial effects when cultivated as an intercrop. Cluster bean meal (high protein content) obtained from seed coat and germ cell is an excellent feed for monogastric animals. Cluster bean cultivars with high gum content (&gt;32%) and viscosity (4000-5000 cps) are more preferred for export. The value of cluster bean exports from India has increased from Rs 242 crores (1994) to Rs 2100 crores (2012-13). This review presents the various aspects of cluster bean cultivation and its emergence as an important industrial crop.&nbsp;

Cluster bean [cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.], an important&nbsp;industrial arid legume: A review

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Cluster bean crop is affected by various biotic and abiotic stresses which are responsible for its poor quality and low yield resulting in severe economic losses. Among the foliar diseases, powdery mildew caused by Leveillula taurica is an important disease causing the yield losses ranging from 50-55 per cent. So, there is a need to formulate suitable management practices against powdery mildew. 
 
Methods: Field experiment was laid-out in a randomized complete block design with three replications at Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad to determine the efficacy of economically viable and effective fungicides, botanical and bioagent against powdery mildew of cluster bean. Observation on intensity of disease was recorded using 0-9 scale. The per cent disease index and yield per hectare were taken into consideration for statistical analysis.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Among the thirteen combinations, two sprays of hexaconazole @ 0.1 per cent was found to be statistically significant in reducing the disease severity (11.75%) and enhancing pod yield (138.46%) upto 6.20 t ha-1 with C: B ratio of 1:3.23. The combined application of nimbecidine and Bacillus subtilis also showed significant impact on disease reduction as well as on yield of cluster bean. Relatively, the chemical, hexaconazole gave a higher benefit with minimum production cost and this approach is proposed to the cluster bean growing farmers to mitigate the powdery mildew.</div>

Management of Powdery Mildew in Cluster Bean using Fungicides, Botanicals and Bioagents

Background: Karnataka is predominantly known for cluster bean production. The evidences claims that the cluster bean production is not a profitable option and has many constraints, which hinders farmers to take up this enterprise. The current study aims to analyze the growth in area, to forecast seed demand and to work out the economics of cluster bean production in Karnataka. 
 
Methods: The current study was based on the field survey conducted in Karnataka during 2019-20, to collect the primary data from cluster bean entrepreneurs. The study has also used secondary data for analysis. Four major districts in Karnataka were selected for the study, based on the maximum area and highest production. From each district, 30 farmers were randomly selected for collection of primary data, constituting a total of 120 farmers. The Compound Annual Growth Rate and cost-returns techniques were employed for data analysis. 
 
Result: The study indicated that Karnataka has registered a declined trend of 3.12 per cent per annum and the total estimated area under cluster bean would be 2,720 ha during 2021-22. Hence, the seed industry should cater seed demand to the tune of 544 quintals for the said period. Total cost of cultivation was worked out to be ₹ 35,176 per acre. The study emphasize that this enterprise provides higher gross and net returns to the tune of ₹ 70,851 and ₹ 35,675 per acre, respectively, with the Benefit-cost ratio of 2.01, indicating its profitability. Lack of availability of High Yielding Varieties/hybrid seeds and high wage rate were the major constraints notified in cluster bean enterprise.

Economic Analysis of Cluster Bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub] Entrepreneurs in Karnataka

<div>Background: Climate change is a major challenge faced by the agricultural sector all over the world. Different adaptation and mitigation strategies are used to cope with these weather aberrations. Growing climate resilient crops and cultivars suitable for different regions is one of the adaptation strategy. Leguminous crops are well known for their resilience, adaptation and tolerance to adverse conditions, among these crops cluster bean is a hardy and drought tolerant crop extremely suitable for warm tropical regions. Hence identification and improvement of selected genotypes of cluster bean have paramount importance for combating the challenges possessed by the changing climatic scenario. 
 
Methods: Thirty accessions of cluster bean were evaluated during 2018. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with two replications. Statistical analysis was employed for estimation of correlation and path coefficients. 
 
Result: The correlation analysis revealed that pod yield/plant had positive significant correlation with number of branches, number of pod clusters/plant, number of pods/plant and days to first harvest hence, selection of accessions having higher mean values for these traits could improve yield in cluster bean. Path analysis revealed that number of pods/plant had maximum positive direct effect on pod yield/plant followed by number of branches and plant height. Thus, while attempting selection for higher pod yield in cluster bean, number of pods per plant, number of branches and plant height have to be taken into account.</div>

Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis in Cluster Bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] Genotypes

<div>Background: Cluster bean commonly known as guar is an important leguminous crop. It is widely exploited as an industrial crop because of its seeds which contain galactomannan rich endosperm. Nutrient rich green pods are used as vegetable for human consumption and plants as fodder for livestock. It is a drought tolerant hardy vegetable, which fixes atmospheric nitrogen. Even though it has great potential as a vegetable and industrial crop, it is not very popular in Kerala. So, there is a need for improvement and development of varieties suitable for climatic condition prevailing in Kerala. Hence, evaluation of germplasm has to be conducted as a preliminary step in-order to study extend of variability available in the germplasm and to identify suitable high yielding genotypes that can be utilized in the crop improvement programme. The present study was conducted to estimate genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and yield contributing characters among the collected cluster bean genotypes. 
 
Methods: Thirty accessions of cluster bean were evaluated during 2018. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with two replications. Statistical analysis was employed for estimation of various genetic parameters such as GCV, PCV, heritability and GAM. 
 
Result: The genotypes exhibited wide variability for all the characters studied. High estimates of GCV and PCV were observed for number of branches, number of pod clusters/plant, number of pods/plant, number of pods/cluster, pod weight and pod yield/plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean&nbsp; was observed for plant height, number of branches, number of pod clusters/plant, number of pods/plant, number of pods/cluster, pod weight and pod yield/plant which suggested the presence of addictive gene effects. Hence, pod yield in cluster bean could be improved through direct selection.</div>

Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Cluster Bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] Genotypes

<div>Background:&nbsp;Clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba&nbsp;L.) is important commercial crop which belongs to family Leguminosae and has capacity to fix the atmospheric nitrogen. The nitrogen fixed by the legume crop is not enough to meet the demand of short duration crop like clusterbean. Besides, the experimental site falls under arid region where drought stress and poor distribution of rain during the crop growing cycle is common which affects the crop growth and productivity. Drawing on these insights, the study was planned to assess the performance of cluster bean with objectives to quantify water balance and to calculate suitable levels of irrigation and nitrogen. 
 
Methods:&nbsp;The experiment was conducted at research farm, Agricultural research sub-station, Hanumangarh, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner during Kharif, 2016. Cluster bean variety RGC-1055 with seed rate of 16 kg ha-1 was planted with 3 levels of irrigation (100, 200 and 300 mm) and 4 levels of nitrogen (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1) and analyzed in split plot design with three replications.&nbsp; 
 
Result:&nbsp;Results showed by that the irrigation and nitrogen application rates significantly influenced the growth parameters, yield, nitrogen content and uptake by cluster bean. Irrigation level 200 mm significantly increased leaf area index at 60 DAS (2.62), dry matter accumulation (DMA) at 60 DAS and harvest (16.51 and 42.62 g plant-1), crop growth rate at 30-60 DAS and at harvest (0.36 and 0.62 g m-2 day-1), relative growth rate at 60- at harvest (1.59 g g-1 day-1), grain yield (1624 kg ha-1), straw yield (3645 kg ha-1) and biological yield (5270 kg ha-1) over irrigation level 100 mm, but statistically at par with irrigation level 300 mm. However, leaf area index at harvest (1.24) was highest at 300 mm irrigation level. Nitrogen level at 40 kg ha-1&nbsp;significantly increased leaf area index at 30, 60 DAS and at harvest (0.19, 2.65 and 1.16), dry matter accumulation at 60 DAS and at harvest (19.62 and 49.58 g plant-1), crop growth rate at 30-60 DAS and 60- harvest (0.46 and 0.71 g m-2 day-1), relative growth rate at 30-60 DAS and 60-harvest (1.26 and 1.66 g g-1 day-1), grain yield (1668 kg ha-1), straw yield (3696 kg ha-1) and biological yield (5364 kg ha-1) over control. The highest nitrogen content and uptake in grain and straw was obtained with irrigation level at 300 mm and nitrogen level @ 60 kg ha-1.</div>

Performance of Cluster Bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) under Varying Levels of Irrigation and Nitrogen

<div>Background: Cluster bean is originated in India and Pakistan and is characterized as a short day plant. It is a drought tolerant, warm season legume crop, cultivated mainly as rain fed crop in arid and semi-arid regions during rainy season for vegetable, galactomannan gum, forage and green manure. In view of growing demand for its yield, development of new varieties with stable performance over environments is need of the hour. 
 
Methods: Twenty five genotypes of cluster bean including one check were evaluated for yield and its attributes in Randomized Block Design with three replications in field investigation during Kharif, 2019 at three agro-climatic Zones of Telangana. G x E interaction and stability analysis of different genotypes across the three environments were worked out as per the model given by <a href="#eberhart_1966">Eberhart and Russel (1966)</a>. 
 
Result: The environments linear were highly significant for all the traits, revealed that the environments were effective in affecting the performance of all the genotypes with respect to cluster bean yield attributing traits. Genotypes IC-9052, IC-10323, IC-10333, IC-103295 and IC-200680 were high yielding and stable under all environments, IC-103295, IC-10323 and IC-9077P1 for higher gum content, IC-10333, IC-28286, IC-103295 and IC-200715 for protein content and genotype IC- 9077-P1 for fibre content were considered as desirable and stable over the environments. The results of the present study could contribute for stable cluster bean varietal improvement in India.</div>

<div>Stability Analysis of Yield and Yield Attributing Traits of Promising Genotypes of Cluster Bean [Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.]</div>