Green Grams Production Training and Extension Manual

Abstract

Green grams also known as mung bean, is an erect annual plant which grows to a height of 60-70 cm tall are the more commonly grown in Kenya as compared to black grams. They are common in central and south Nyanza areas, in Machakos and Kitui Counties and at the coast. The two main varieties for the Kenyan market are N26 and KS20 and are differentiated by the colour of seeds. Yellow green grams have bright green seeds while the local green gram seed is small and ripens unevenly. An improved variety (K26) has larger seeds and tends to ripen uniformly, see Table 1. The common names used to refer to green grams are Ndengu or Pojo Ngina. Green grams produces pale yellow flowers borne in clusters of 12–15 near the top of the plant. The flowers develop into cylindrical pods with cylindrical seeds. Pods measure 7.5 cm to 10 cm long and contain 10 to 15 seeds each. Each plant typically produces 30 to 40 pods which turn darker in colour as they mature. The seed colour is in varying shades of yellow to green and black with green and yellow grams being the more common ones in Kenya. The crop is mainly produced by smallholder farmers. However, pests and diseases are major constraints in green grams production in Kenya. Accuracy in pest identification and disease diagnostics are important for proper management of these challenges. It is therefore necessary to build the capacity of extension officers and growers in pest and disease management in order to minimize losses.