Dolichos Bean (Sem): A Nutritious and Versatile Legume Crop

Dolichos bean, also known as Hyacinth bean, Seim, Sem, Egyptian kidney bean, Indian bean, Bataw, and Australian pea, is a multi-purpose legume grown widely across tropical and subtropical regions. With high nutritional value, vibrant varieties, and multiple uses, it plays a significant role in sustainable farming and home gardening.

🌱 Botanical & Agricultural Profile

• Botanical Name: Lablab purpureus
• Common Names: Hyacinth bean, Seim, Sem, Indian bean, etc.
• Family: Leguminoceae
• Origin: India
• Edible Part: Pod
• Chromosome Number: 2n = 22

🌾 Growing Conditions & Requirements

Dolichos bean is a hardy crop that grows well in tropical and subtropical climates. It's cultivated for its whole pods and fits into multiple cropping seasons.

• Grown For: Whole Pod
• Best Adapted to: Tropical and Subtropical Regions

📏 Spacing & Seed Rate

• Seed Rate: Pole type: 10-12 kg/ha; Bush type: 20-30 kg/ha
• Spacing: Pole type: 100 x 75 cm; Bush type: 60 x 30 cm

🌿 Recommended Varieties

• Pole Type: Pusa Early Prolific, Swarna Rituvar
• Bush Type: Arka Jay (photoinsensitive)
• Other Popular Varieties: Pusa Early Rajni, Rajni, Deepali, Konkan Bhushan, Swarna Utkrisht, CO-10 (Mutant)

🦟 Major Diseases & Their Causes

Disease	Causal Organism
Powdery Mildew	Erysiphe polygoni
Rust	Uromyces fabae
Bean Anthracnose	Colletotrichum lindemuthianum
Phyllody	MLOs (Mycoplasma-like organisms)
Yellow Flecks	MLOs

🌿 Unique Traits of Dolichos Bean

• It is a dual-purpose legume: used for vegetables and as green manure.
• Arka Jay is a photoinsensitive bush type variety—ideal for off-season cultivation.
• Pusa Early Prolific is best suited for spring and autumn seasons.
• It enriches soil health by fixing atmospheric nitrogen.

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