Pigeon Pea (Red Gram / Tur Dal)
Cajanus cajan
About Pigeon Pea (Red Gram / Tur Dal)
Pigeon pea is the second most important grain legume in Africa and a dietary staple for hundreds of millions in India, where it is consumed as 'dal' (split lentils). It is uniquely adapted to semi-arid conditions — deep-rooted, drought-tolerant, and capable of producing grain even on poor soils in low-rainfall areas. The crop is perennial (lives 3-5 years) but usually grown as an annual. It fixes nitrogen and improves soil structure, making it invaluable in cereal-legume rotations and intercropping systems. India produces 80% of the global supply. In East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique), pigeon pea is an important food crop and export commodity.
Growing Conditions
Full sun — short day plant (flowering triggered by shortening days)
Highly drought-tolerant — produces grain with 400-650 mm rainfall due to deep taproot.
Tolerates wide range including poor, gravelly, and acidic soils. pH 5.0-7.5.
Optimal 25-30°C. Sensitive to frost. Grows well in warm semi-arid environments.
Low to moderate. High humidity promotes Fusarium wilt and pod rot.
Long season — 120-270 days depending on variety (short, medium, or long duration).
Step-by-Step Growing Tips
Intercrop with short-season cereals (sorghum, millet, maize) — pigeon pea matures after the cereal
Space at 60-90 × 30 cm for sole crop, wider for intercropping
Minimal fertilizer needed — phosphorus (20-30 kg P2O5/ha) most important
Scout and control Helicoverpa pod borer at flowering — the key yield constraint
Harvest when 80% of pods are brown and dry
Ratoon (cut back to 15 cm) after first harvest for a second crop in perennial systems
Disease Risks to Watch
All diseases →Companion Planting
✅ Good Companions
Growing Zones
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to plant Pigeon Pea (Red Gram / Tur Dal)?
Long season — 120-270 days depending on variety (short, medium, or long duration).
What soil does Pigeon Pea (Red Gram / Tur Dal) need?
Tolerates wide range including poor, gravelly, and acidic soils. pH 5.0-7.5.
How much water does Pigeon Pea (Red Gram / Tur Dal) need?
Highly drought-tolerant — produces grain with 400-650 mm rainfall due to deep taproot.
What are the most common diseases affecting Pigeon Pea (Red Gram / Tur Dal)?
The most common diseases are: downy mildew. Monitor regularly and practice crop rotation.
What plants grow well with Pigeon Pea (Red Gram / Tur Dal)?
Good companions include: sorghum, millet, maize, groundnut. Avoid planting near no specific plants.
Related Crops — Fabaceae
Growing Pigeon Pea (Red Gram / Tur Dal)? Protect It.
CuraPlant scans your crops for diseases and pests in seconds — and gives you a treatment plan tailored to your region and season.