Climate

• It is basically a warm weather crop, chiefly grown during the kharif season.
• However, in recent times in eastern, central and southern India, it is also grown as a winter crop.
• Black gram tolerates drought and is heat tolerant but is susceptible to frost.
• It is generally grown in areas which receive about 800 mm rainfall per year.
• It is not a suitable crop for wet tropics.
• Urdbean is grown in summer and rainy season in northern India.
• Heavy and continuous rains at the time of germination and flowering are harmful for the crop.

Soils

• It is grown on a variety of soils ranging from a sandy soil to heavy black cotton soils.
• It thrives well in relatively heavier soil.
• The most ideal soil would be a well drained loam with a pH range from 4.7 to 7.5.
• Heavier soils with more water retention capacity are considered ideal for its cultivation.
• Loam to clay loam soil with neutral pH are the best suited soils for urdbean.
• It cannot be grown successfully on saline alkali and acidic soils.
• Urdbean is susceptible to waterlogging. Therefore, soil should be well drained particularly in rainy season.