LOBIA – चौले – लोबिया (60 Seed)

🌿 Lobia (Cowpea / Chawli) Cultivation Guide – Desi & Organic Method
Lobia is a fast-growing, nutritious legume crop grown for green pods and dry grains. It improves soil fertility and performs very well under organic farming.
Scientific Name: Vigna unguiculata

🌤️ 1. Climate Requirement
Grows best in warm climate.
Ideal temperature: 25–35°C
Tolerates heat and light drought.
Sensitive to frost.
Best sowing time (India):
Kharif: July
Summer: February – May (with irrigation)
Warm weather helps in better flowering and pod setting.

🌾 2. Soil Requirement
Best soil: Sandy loam to loam soil
Soil should be well-drained and fertile.
Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5
Lobia can grow in slightly poor soils due to nitrogen fixation.
Before sowing:
Mix well-decomposed cow dung compost or FYM.
Remove weeds and stones.
❌ Avoid waterlogged fields.

🌱 3. Seed Sowing
✅ Field / Bed Preparation
Prepare fine seedbed with 2–3 ploughings.
Level the field properly.
✅ Sowing Method
Seed depth: 3–4 cm
Row spacing: 45–60 cm
Plant spacing: 20–25 cm
Seed rate:
Green pod purpose: 8–10 kg per acre
Grain purpose: 12–15 kg per acre
Germination time: 5–7 days
💡 Tip: Treat seeds with Rhizobium culture for better nodulation and yield.

💧 4. Watering
Light irrigation after sowing.
Water every 7–10 days.
Critical stages:
Flowering
Pod formation
❌ Avoid excess irrigation.

🌿 5. Organic Nutrient Management
Apply vermicompost or compost before sowing.
Spray jeevamrit or compost tea every 15–20 days.
Avoid excess nitrogen (causes more leaves, fewer pods).

✂️ 6. Intercultural Operations
First weeding after 20–25 days.
Light hoeing improves aeration.
Mulching conserves moisture and controls weeds.

🐛 7. Pest & Disease Control (Organic)
Aphids & jassids: Neem oil spray (5 ml per litre water).
Pod borer: Neem seed kernel extract (NSKE 5%).
Leaf diseases: Spray Trichoderma solution.
Keep field clean and remove infected plants.

🌿 8. Harvesting
Green pods: Ready in 45–55 days
Harvest tender pods every 3–4 days.
Dry grain: Harvest in 80–90 days
Harvest when pods turn brown and dry.
Regular harvesting increases pod yield and quality.