How to Grow Kala Chana Dark Pusa 362
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Kala Chana Dark Pusa 362
Cicer arietinum
vegetableKala Chana Dark Pusa 362 is a high-yielding Indian chickpea variety developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI). It is a desi-type chickpea with dark brown to black seed coat, known for excellent yield potential and disease resistance. This legume is a staple protein source in Indian cuisine and grows as a bushy annual herb.
When should you plant Kala Chana Dark Pusa 362 in your zone?
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Example Kala Chana Dark Pusa 362 timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Kala Chana Dark Pusa 362
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Kala Chana Dark Pusa 362
Around Jul 26≈ 100 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Kala Chana Dark Pusa 362 dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8-10; prefers warm, dry climates with moderate winters
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Get my Kala Chana Dark Pusa 362 timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds germinate in 7-10 days, emerging as two cotyledons. Seedlings develop simple compound leaves and establish a taproot system.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Thin seedlings to proper spacing. Protect from cutworms and early pests.
Vegetative Growth
30-40 daysPlant develops bushy branching structure with pinnately compound leaves. Height reaches 16-24 inches with dense foliage. Strong root system establishes.
Monitor for powdery mildew and leaf spots. Light mulching helps retain soil moisture. Avoid excessive nitrogen which promotes leafy growth over pods. Provide light staking if in windy areas.
Flowering
20-30 daysSmall white, pink, or purple flowers appear in leaf axils. Multiple flowers develop on each plant, setting numerous flower buds and early pod formation.
Ensure consistent moisture during flowering for good pod set. Monitor for pod borers and fruit flies. Reduce watering slightly to encourage fruiting over vegetative growth.
Pod Development & Maturation
30-40 daysPods develop in clusters, each containing 1-2 dark brown seeds (chickpeas). Pods transition from green to straw-colored as they mature. Seeds harden and dry.
Cease irrigation 2-3 weeks before harvest to encourage drying. Continue pest monitoring, particularly for pod borers. Allow pods to fully mature on the plant.
Harvest & Post-Harvest
Harvest over 2-3 weeksPods become brittle and dry with brown coloration. Seeds rattle inside pods when mature. Plant is ready for harvesting when 80-90% of pods have matured.
Harvest when soil is dry to prevent seed damage. Dry harvested pods in sun for 3-5 days before threshing. Store in cool, dry conditions. Seeds maintain viability for 2-3 years.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick affected pods, use yellow sticky traps, spray neem oil or spinosad at first sign of infestation, intercrop with maize or sorghum as trap crops
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Use hermetic storage containers, fumigate with phosphine, store at low humidity below 12%, mix with neem leaves during storage
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Remove affected leaves, spray neem oil or spinosad, encourage natural predators like parasitoid wasps
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray insecticidal soap, encourage beneficial insects, reflective mulches
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Ensure adequate spacing for air circulation, spray sulfur or potassium bicarbonate, remove infected leaves, avoid overhead irrigation
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Use disease-free seeds, practice crop rotation (3-4 year interval), avoid waterlogging, remove infected plants
Uses
Protein-rich legume staple
CulinaryKala Chana is extensively used in Indian cuisine, especially in South and North India. It is cooked whole, ground into flour (besan), or sprouted and used in curries, salads, and street foods like chhola bhature and chikhalwali. [source]
Traditional dal and flour preparation
CulinaryWhole cooked kala chana is eaten as a dal (lentil preparation) or roasted as a savory snack. The flour is used to make pakora (fritters), falafels, and traditional sweets throughout South Asia. [source]
Nutritional and digestive benefits
MedicinalKala Chana is rich in fiber, polyphenols, and antioxidants that support digestive health and reduce inflammation. Traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine to treat digestive disorders and improve overall vitality. [source]
Soil nitrogen fixation and crop rotation
AgriculturalAs a legume, Kala Chana has a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria, fixing atmospheric nitrogen and improving soil fertility for subsequent crops. Widely used in crop rotation systems to reduce synthetic fertilizer dependence. [source]
Animal feed and fodder
HouseholdChickpea stover (plant residue after seed harvest) is used as nutritious livestock fodder. Seeds and byproducts are incorporated into animal feed rations for improved nutrition and productivity. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when 80-90% of pods have turned brown and papery, typically 100-120 days after planting. Cut or pull entire plants and allow to dry in the field for 3-5 days, or bind into bundles for sun-drying. Thresh dried plants by beating with sticks or using mechanical threshers. Separate seeds from chaff by winnowing. Store dried seeds in moisture-proof containers at 10-12% moisture content in cool conditions. Yield typically ranges from 800-1200 kg/hectare under good management.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Kala Chana Dark Pusa 362 was specifically bred at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi to combine high yield with dark seed color and superior disease resistance, making it one of India's most widely cultivated chickpea varieties.
- 🌱 The plant exhibits remarkable drought tolerance through deep taproots that can access water up to 6-7 feet below the surface, allowing it to thrive in arid and semi-arid regions with minimal irrigation.
- 🌱 Chickpeas have been cultivated in the Indian subcontinent for over 7,000 years, with ancient Sanskrit texts referencing their importance, and India remains the world's largest producer and consumer of chickpeas today, with Kala Chana as a prized heirloom variety.
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