Standardization of cultivation and harvesting stage of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens var utilis) for optimum yield and quality

A field experiment with different agronomical Parameters of growing velvet bean [Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var utilis] was carried at the Zandu Foundation for Health Care Research Farm, Ambach. (south Gujarat, India), to standardize its cultivation and post-harvest drying practices for 2 crop cycles during 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 for commercial production. This crop was raised with start of monsoon rain in this region in June and irrigated (surface) at 15-day intervals during dry season of October-January. The crop gave the maximum seed yield of 1.995 tonnes/ha at a closer spacing of 1.0 m x 1.0 m (10 000 plants/ha) with individual plant supporting system. The trial conducted with wider spacing (1.0 m x 1.5 m, 8 000 plants/ha) and individual plant supporting (with bamboo stakes) with 12 doses of N, P2O5 and K2O/ha fertilizer revealed the higher number of pods/9 m(2) (252-295) and seed yield with 75, 100 and 0 (1.196 tonnes/ha); 150, 50 and 0 (1.476 tonnes/ha); 150, 100 and 0 (1.496 tonnes/ha); 225, 50 and 0 (1.504 tonnes/ha); and 225, 100 and 0 (1.531 tonnes/ha) applications. The K nutrient was not applied as the farm soil contained high K2O level (240 kg/ha). The pods picked at semi-dry maturity stage gave optimum seed yield (110.40 g/20 pods), L-Dopa (4.680%) and superior quality of seed (white colour, bold and without wrinkles and cracks) used in drug manufacturing industry.