Blackgram CO 7: A new high yielding and bold seeded variety suitable for Tamil Nadu

Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) is an important pulse crop in Tamil Nadu. An inter sub- specific cross was made VBN (Bg) 5 x V. mungo var. silvestris (22/10) to develop high yielding variety with yellow mosaic disease resistance. A high yielding blackgram culture (COBG 10-05) was identified and evaluated in different yield trials from 2012 to 2020. The culture matures in 60 - 65 days. It recorded an overall mean yield of 881 kg/ha which is 12.1 , 12.4 and 14.4 per cent yield increase over the check varieties viz., CO 6 (786 kg/ha) , VBN 6 (784 kg/ha) and VBN 8 (770 kg/ ha), respectively. This culture is resistant to mungbean yellow mosaic virus disease and moderately resistant to leaf crinkle and stem necrosis diseases. It has bold seeds with 100 seed weight ranged from 5.5 to 6.0 g. The plant type is determinate with synchronized maturity and suitable for single/mechanical harvest. It contains 22.3 per cent protein. This culture was released as Co 7 and it is recommended for cultivation during kharif and rabi seasons in Tamil Nadu.