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Indian Farming Ricebean: High valued fodder crop

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Indian Farming 70(06): 27–31; June 2020

Ricebean:
High valued fodder crop
Magan Singh*, Rundan V and Santosh Onte
ICAR–National Dairy Research Institute Karnal, Haryana 132 001

Ricebean (Vigna umbellata) is an underutilized, neglected legume considerd as a minor food and
fodder crop of northern and north-east India, grown in a range of cropping systems mainly with
maize during summer or alone in uplands, terraces, rice bunds, jhum field, backyard of home
and in small patches. It is mainly grown for human consumption, and also used for fodder and
green manure. Ricebean foliage and dry straw are nutritious livestock feed and provide higher
productivity and quality fodder if sown with cereal likes maize and sorghum. Hence there is need
to focus about ricebean crop to utilize as a high nutritious fodder crop inspite of used as green
manure or other purpose. More emphasis has been given for popularizing a high nutritious fodder
crop as a potential legume crop among the farmers.

Keywords: Crop management, Fodder nutritive value, Intercropping, Ricebean

R ICEBEAN [Vigna umbellate

(Thunb.)] is a native of South
and South East Asia. As a cultigens,
annual rainfall and it can grow well
on wide range of soils. It established
rapidly and has the potential to
valuable livestock feed and used as
green manure which improve soil
fertility. Thus ricebean is a vibrant
ricebean occur in India, Myanmar, produce large amount of nutritious potential fodder legume crop to
Malayasia, China, Korea, Indonesia animal fodder and high quality grain. provide balance diet to the livestock
and Phillipines. It is also cultivated in It is mainly grown for human and to sustain under wide range of
West Indies, USA, Australia, East consumption, though it is also used climatic condition.
Africa, Java, Fiji, Bangladesh, for fodder and green manure.
Srilanka and Nepal. Ricebean is Ricebean foliage and dry straw are Plant morphology
believed to be of hindustan Ricebean is a short lived
origin. It is presumed that perennial legume usually
the centre of domestication grown as an annual self
of ricebean is Indo-China. pollinated having erect,
In India, it is cultivated in semi-erect or twining
20,000 ha with average growth habit. It is usually
green fodder productivity 30-100 cm in height and as
of 15-30 t/ha. It’s a potential to grow up to
distribution pattern 200 cm. Ricebean is fast
indicates its adaptive summer growing legume
polymorphism for diverse found from sea level up to
distribution range with attitude of 1,500 m in
climate variation ranging Assam and 2,000 m in the
from humid sub-tropical to hills of the Himalayas.
warm and cool temperate Ricebean requires short day
climate and it can grows up to produce seeds. It is
to an elevation of 1,500 m grown on wide range of
from mean sea level. The soil including shallow,
best performance is infertile or degraded soil.
obtained with 24–28 o C High soil fertility may
and 1,500-2,000 mm hinder pod formation by
Ricebean (sole crop)

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Indian Farming
June 2020
 Maize + Ricebean (1:1) + 100% RDF + PGPR

promoting more vegetative growth animals. Ricebean seeds are also good concentrate feed. Ricebean straw
which result in poor seed yield. for boiler ratio. after seed harvested, including the
Ricebean is photosensitive plant, it stems, leafy portions, empty pods
does better in area where temperature Push Back of crop due to following and seeds can be used as fodder.
range from 18-30oC average, tolerate features: • It can be grown on terraces, sloping
10-40 o C but does not withstand • Low seed yield hillsides and on rice bunds and in
frost. It prefers full light and • Photoperiod sensitivity jhum fields. Ricebean can be grown
growth can be hampered if it is • Indeterminate growth for green manure, cover crop and
intercropped with tall growing crops • Sporadic and asynchronous live fences as vegetative barriers.
such as maize. flowering • Ricbean as fodder crop at
• Dehiscent pods and small, hard vegetative phase contains high
Origin and distribution seeds amount of protein (14-24%) which
Ricebean is a neglected crop, • Susceptibility to pest and disease are similar with cowpea and
cultivated on small areas by some hill • Shatter susceptibility. blackgram. However, seeds contain
farmers in NE India. In India, its high mineral content, vitamins
distribution is mainly confined to the Inclusion of fodder legume including thiamine, riboflavin,
tribal region of north eastern hills and • As fodder, legumes play an niacin and ascorbic acid and also
hilly tracts of Western and Eastern important role in inclusion with rich in Ca, P and Fe.
Ghats. In the North Eastern Region cereal fodder to enrich the soil • Ricebean is an ideal crop for catch
of India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, fertility through atmospheric cropping, intercropping and
Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, nitrogen fixation and biomass multiple cropping system and also
Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura), addition into soil. serves as a excellent cover crop and
ricebean is grown predominantly • Provide residual nitrogen and green manure crop.
under rainfed conditions in mixed reduce the needs for mineral • It can tolerate drought condition up
farming system, under shifting nitrogen fertilizers by non legumes. to remarkable extent.
cultivation, terraces, kitchen garden • Legume crops produces highly • It is having good scope to grow
and backyards. digestible and protein rich fodder. during lean periods and provides
Legume are palatable and protein the good tonnage of fodder.
Uses rich fodder which have important • Having the capacity to establish
Ricebean is a promising role in animal productivity and rapidly and has the potential to
multipurpose crop with a good cheapest source of feed for accumulate large amount of
potential to be used as food, fodder, livestock. nutritious animal fodder and high
green manure and cover crop, the • Forage legume plays an important quality grains.
dried seeds are usually eaten boiled or role in dairy and meat production • Ricebean is an N-fixing legume that
as pulses. Young immature pods are due to rich source of protein, fibre improves the N status of the soil,
used as vegetables. Immature pods and energy. thus providing nitrogen to the
and beans sprouts are highly succeeding crop.
recommended in the nutritional diet Ricebean as a fodder crop
of the Philippines. Whole plant is • Ricebean is a multipurpose Anti-nutrient contents
used as forage for livestock. The underutilized legume. The green Ricebean contains phytic acid,
foliage, green pods, immature seeds forage can be fed fresh or processed polyphenol, tannins, trypsin
and flowers are readily eaten by into hay and seeds are used as inhibitors other anti-nutrients and

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Indian Farming
June 2020
flatus producing oligosaccharides Table 2. Comparative biochemical constituents of ricebean (seed) and other pulses
(2.25%). However the content of all Crop Crude Ash Fibre Fat CHO Soluble Ca Fe P
those is lower than in many protein (%) (%) (%) (%) EE (mg/ (mg/ (mg/
comparable pulses. The effect are (%) (%) 100 g) 100 g) 100 g)
strongly reduced through common Ricebean 25.0 4.3 4.8 0.6 - 1.6 450 6.0 393
cooking such soaking, germination, Mungbean 23.6 4.0 3.3 1.2 58.2 3 199 7.5 313
dry roasting and cooking very low Urdbean 23.4 4.8 3.8 1.0 57.3 - - - -
polyphenols and ranged from 0.08- Frenchbean 22.1 3.6 4.0 1.6 57.8 2.1 175 6.9 328
Broadbean 23.4 3.2 7.1 1.5 48.5 - - - -
0.16%. If consumed without
Chickpea 20.1 2.7 3.9 5.3 61.2 5.3 283 10.3 43
processing, the mineral nutrients are Cowpea 23.4 3.6 3.9 1.3 56.8 2.1 243 6.9 459
less available. Some of such toxic Lentil 24.2 3.3 3.7 1.0 55.8 3.1 140 7.3 263
elements are destroyed during Pea 22.5 3.0 4.4 1.0 58.5 3.2 259 5.2 286
cooking through different kind of Pigeon pea 20.9 3.8 3.1 1.5 57.3 3.8 296 6.7 366
heat treatment such as roasting, Source: Singh et al. 1920; FAO 1970.
toasting and frying increase the
availability of the nutrient. nutrient management. Highest green showed better quality. The sole maize
fodder and dry matter yield was contain lowest lignin contain and
Nutritive values produced by Maize + Ricebean (1:1) ADL was significantly influenced by
Ricebean has a comparatively + 100% RDF + PGPR followed by nutrient treatment with maximum by
higher content of proteins than other Maize + Ricebean (1:1) + 75% Maize + Ricebean (1:1) + 50%
cereal crops. It contains 20% protein. RDF + PGPR and Maize + RDF.
Its favourable protein content ensures Ricebean (1:1) + 75% RDF. Sole Nutrient management had
high digestibility and therefore makes crop of ricebean with recommended significant influence on minerals viz.
it as fit food for little children, dose of nutrients gave maximum Zn, Mn and Cu and no significant
women and older people with weak protein contain followed by difference was found in N, P, K and
digestion. Ricebean retains high treatment Maize + Ricebean (2:1) + Fe content in ricebean plants on dry
nutritional value. It is richer than 100% RDF + PGPR and at par with weight basis. N, P, and K content was
cowpea and black gram in protein, Maize + Ricebean + 100% ROF + estimated highest in ricebean
calcium and phosphorus. Dried seeds PGPR. Maximum ether extract was monoculture. However K content
of ricebean contain 16-17% protein, recorded by sole maize + RDF. NDF was higher in sole ricebean and at
3-4% fat, 5-7% crude fibre, 3-4% ash and ADF had no effect of nutrient pat. Highest Zn content was
and 61-65% carbohydrates, 11-12% management. Lower the value of recorded in Maize + Ricebean (1:1)
aspartic acid and 17-18% glutamic NDF and ADF is higher the quality + RDF. Iron (Fe) was not
acids. Along with sulphur containing of fodder. Higher value of NDF and significantly affected in ricebean by
amino acids, ricebean is a good ADF shows poor quality fodder as nutrient management. Minerals like
source of various nutrients given in NDF contains hemicellulose + Mn and Cu content was influenced
Table 1, 2 and 3. cellulose + lignin and ADF contains by nutrient management. However
The data recorded on quality cellulose + lignin. Ricebean sole crop Mn and Cu content was obtained
parameters of fodder ricebean (Table contains less NDF so it is better in highest in sole crop of ricebean.
4) from the experiment conducted in quality fodder. While maize alone
Randomized Block Design (RBD) with RDF, lowest in ADF content Cultivation practices and management
during kharif season in 2019 at Forage ricebean gives best
research field of Agronomy Section, Table 3. Biochemical constituents and performance when sown in mid June
ICAR-National Dairy Research amino acid composition of dried to mid July. The sowing should be
seeds of ricebean (per 100 g) done at optimum moisture in well
Institute, Karnal. From perusal of
data green fodder yield, dry matter Constituent (Per Amino (mg/g pulverized soil and has sufficient
yield, crude protein (CP) content, 100 g) acid N) organic matter planting should be
ether extract (EE), ash content and compositon done at a distance of 30 cm apart in
acid detergent lignin (ADL) differed Protein 20.9 g Arginine 462 [Link] spreading types that very
significantly with all treatments of Fat 0.9 g Histidine 380 viney and twine or throw long whips
Total 60.7 g Leucine 606 can be grown at 60-90 cm row
Table 1. Biochemical constituents of carbohydrate spacing, the plant-to-plant distance
ricebean Crude fibre 4.8 g Isoleucine 387
should be kept between 15-20 cm. To
Ash 4.2 g Lysine 769
Constituent (%) Per cent
Calcium 200 mg Methionine 769 sow one hectare area of land, the seed
Carbohydrate 58.20 – 72.00 Phosphorus 390 mg Cystine 44 requires 25-30 kg. The germination of
Crude protein 18.30 – 32.20 Iron 10.9 mg Phenylalanine 325 ricebean is epigeal in some cultivars
Ash 3.50 – 4.90 Thiamine 0.49 mg Tyrosine 262 and some are hypogeal and generally
Soluble ether extract 0.10 – 0.50 Riboflavin 0.21 mg Threonine 294 excellent germination occurs under
Crude fibre 3.60 – 5.50 Niacin 2.4 mg Valine 394 field conditions. Thinning and
Source: Buergelt (2009). Source: Duke 1981. spacing should be done within the

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Indian Farming
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Table 4. Effect of Nutrient Management practices on quality of fodder of ricebean and maize intercropping system under irrigated
condition

Treatment Ricebean
GFY (t/ha) DMY (t/ha) CP(%) EE(%) Ash(%) NDF(%) ADF(%) ADL(%)
T1 : Maize + RDF 34.17 9.64 10.24 2.51 8.41 57.27 32.97 4.67
T2 : Ricebean + RDF 15.17 3.71 21.17 1.80 14.42 50.46 35.9 7.20
T3 : Maize + Ricebean (1:1) + RDF 11.52 2.82 17.83 1.60 14.12 52.72 38.0 7.73
T4 : Maize + Ricebean (1:1) + 50% RDF 8.60 2.01 15.88 1.36 13.02 56.60 39.9 8.75
T5 : Maize + Ricebean (1:1) + 50% RDF + 8.55 2.03 16.58 1.42 13.15 55.23 39.5 8.70
PGPR*
T6 : Maize + Ricebean (1:1) + 75% RDF 10.50 2.52 16.76 1.45 13.21 53.43 38.7 8.47
T7: Maize + Ricebean (1:1) + 75% RDF + 10.83 2.66 17.48 1.49 13.76 53.20 38.2 8.37
PGPR
T8: Maize + Ricebean (1:1) + 100% RDF + 11.75 2.93 18.64 1.61 13.84 52.27 37.9 7.41
PGPR
T9 : Maize + Ricebean (2:1) + RDF 6.75 1.83 19.50 1.61 12.29 51.49 37.8 7.63
T10 : Maize + Ricebean (2:1) + 50% RDF 5.83 1.52 16.64 1.43 11.69 55.15 39.3 8.67
T11 : Maize + Ricebean (2:1) + 50% RDF + 5.67 1.49 16.70 1.44 12.29 54.69 38.8 8.62
PGPR
T12 : Maize + Ricebean (2:1) + 75% RDF 6.02 1.61 17.67 1.56 12.23 52.98 38.0 8.01
T13 : Maize + Ricebean (2:1) + 75% RDF + 5.97 1.61 17.83 1.57 11.82 52.83 38.0 7.87
PGPR
T14 : Maize + Ricebean (2:1) + 100% RDF + 7.08 1.99 19.69 1.73 12.75 51.24 36.9 7.33
PGPR
SEm± 0.62 0.17 0.75 0.04 0.52 1.46 1.18 0.30
CD (P=0.05) 1.83 0.49 2.18 0.11 1.52 NS NS 0.87
Source: Rundan & Singh (2019). *PGPR – Plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria.

first fortnight to allow the remaining nitrogen fixation from atmosphere. promising with significant effect on
plant population to establish firmly. However, fertilizer dose of N&P yield. Maize plants are used as
Care is normally needed in the initial (20:40) appear to be suitable for good supporting plant to help in climbing
stage of growth to keep the field clean yield. Ricebean posses good of ricebean.
from weeds and to allow the crop to synchrony in pod maturity in its
come up well. Irrigation is needed in cultivars, almost all pods borne on a Forage varieties
rainless period and when it is in peak plant mature simultaneously and the Some of ricebean varieties
growth of biomass accumulation. whole crop can be effectively and identified for higher green fodder
Being a leguminous crop it has high economically harvested at one time. yield or high biomass yield and RB
microbial nodulation. The existing Maize + ricebean intercropping in the 11-14, RB 13-9, RB 19-1, RB 31-3,
Rhizobuim available in the soil is fairly ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 in the Haryana RB12-6, RB 09-4 and RB 17-9.
effective and enrich the soil fertility by (Karnal) is reported to be quite Some important ricebean variety

Table 5. Effect of nutrient management practices on nutrient content of ricebean forage in maize + ricebean intercropping system under
irrigated condition

Treatment Ricebean
N(%) P(%) K(%) Zn (ppm) Fe (ppm) Mn (ppm) Cu (ppm)
T1 : Maize + RDF 1.88 0.30 0.90 41.7 429 47.8 18.7
T2 : Ricebean + RDF 3.11 0.48 1.65 56.3 471 85.8 27.7
T3 : Maize + Ricebean (1:1) + RDF 2.82 0.41 1.53 60.3 450 80.3 22.3
T4 : Maize + Ricebean (1:1) + 50% RDF 2.59 0.38 1.34 50.7 396 70.5 14.2
T5 : Maize + Ricebean (1:1) + 50% RDF + PGPR* 2.67 0.38 1.41 49.7 430 73.3 16.7
T6 : Maize + Ricebean (1:1) + 75% RDF 2.79 0.39 1.47 53.8 436 78.3 18.2
T7: Maize + Ricebean (1:1) + 75% RDF + PGPR 2.79 0.40 1.48 52.8 435 79.3 17.0
T8: Maize + Ricebean (1:1) + 100% RDF + PGPR 2.88 0.41 1.53 55.3 441 79.5 20.3
T9 : Maize + Ricebean (2:1) + RDF 2.93 0.42 1.58 55.7 450 83.2 20.5
T10 : Maize + Ricebean (2:1) + 50% RDF 2.73 0.39 1.41 52.3 417 63.8 14.4
T11 : Maize + Ricebean (2:1) + 50% RDF + PGPR 2.77 0.39 1.46 52.5 423 71.7 16.4
T12 : Maize + Ricebean (2:1) + 75% RDF 2.80 0.40 1.48 53.0 436 78.3 17.3
T13 : Maize + Ricebean (2:1) + 75% RDF + PGPR 2.80 0.40 1.50 54.4 437 76.3 19.2
T14 : Maize + Ricebean (2:1) + 100% RDF + PGPR 2.95 0.44 1.65 58.2 484 85.8 23.3
SEm± 0.11 1.18 0.06 1.90 15.78 2.93 0.72
CD (P=0.05) NS NS NS 5.55 NS 8.55 2.10
Source: Rundan and Singh (2019). *PGPR – Plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria.

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Indian Farming
June 2020
 recommended for fodder production DMY and 14.6% crude protein. It is inoculum. In the beginning,
are: suitable for intercropping with maize symptoms shows small, round or
RBL 6 (2002): Photosensitive, and sorghum. It is tolerant to leaf irregular, flat water soaked spots
medium maturing variety having blight, mosaic and flea beetle under surrounded by a greenish yellow
resistance to fungal, bacterial and field condition. This variety has been zone on leaf. The infection spreads
especially viral diseases. Growth habit notified in 2016 by SVRC. along the veinlets and veins.
is spreading type with many lateral RBL -1: Developed from PAU, Control measures include (i) Crop
interwinning branches having Ludhiana in 1997. This variety is rotation, (ii) Alteration of sowing
vigorous growth. Pod formation, suitable for Punjab, Haryana and date, and (iii) Seed treatment with
development and maturity are Northern region for fodder Streptomycin.
synchronous. Seeds are light green production. Insect-Pest: Following insect
and bold. It matures in 125 days KRB 4: Developed by BCKV, West pests infest ricebean.
under irrigated conditions; its Bengal released in 2000. Suitable for Pod borer: Spray systemic
average grain yield is about 6 q/acre. North East region. pesticides Dichlorovos (DDVP) or
Suitable for cultivation in Northern monocrotophos @ 2 lit./ha.
India. Insect-pest and disease management Aphids: Heavily infested plants
Bidhan ricebean 1 and 2: This Diseases: The diseases seen in develop yellow curled foliage,
variety has been developed by BCKV, ricebean are discussed below. distorted pods, wilt and may be
West Bengal. It has semi spreading 1. Rust (Uromyces appendiculatus): killed. To control this spray
type, plant are high green foliage Rust postules are white, minute Dimethoate @ 0.03% is beneficial.
with 4-5 branches per plant and and slightly raised on leaves and
flowering occurs in 100-110 days. rarely appears on stem and pods. Harvesting
The protein content is 14-15%. Yield In later stage, postules become Harvest the crop for green forage
is 225-250 q/ha. Suitable for North- reddish brown and are seen at 50% of flowering. As the plants
east region. distinctly under the leaves. are intertwined, harvest the crop by
Bidhan ricebean 3: It is also Control measures include rolling the plants in small patches.
developed by BCKV, West Bengal. It (i) Follow crop rotation, For seed, harvest the crop when
is a semi spreading type; plants are (ii) Apply Indofil M-45 @ 3 g/lit. about 80% of the pods turn brown
indeterminate type with green foliage of water before or immediately at during morning hours to avoid
and flowering occurs in 111-120 appearance of rust postules at shattering.
days. It falls in medium maturity periodical intervals.
group. It has got average green 2. Rhizoctonia Blight (Rhizoctonia Yield
fodder production of 300 q/ha. Seeds solani): It spreads at high Worldwide the seed yield of
are brown with back spot mosaic. humidity. The spread of disease is ricebean is about 2,250 kg/ha. It is
Suitable for North-east region. very fast and plants develop small, 1,300-2,750 kg/ha in Zambia, Brazil
JRBJ 05-2 (Jower ricebean): This irregular, water soaked, pale and India. In India, fodder yield were
variety was developed by JNKV, greenish spot with damp reported to range from 5-7 t DM/ha
Jabalpur through selection and local appearance on the lower leaves in May and June and 8-9 t DM /ha in
material from adjoining area of and extend towards the apex and November and December. Ricebean
Dindori. It is semi- erect variety with cover the leaf blade and stem these grown with other grasses gives more
green fodder production of 300 - 350 are destructive phase of the yield.
q/ha, 57-63 q/ha DMY and 14.8% disease. The leaflet and pods
CP. The seed yield is about 5-6 q/ha. shrivel, turn brown and dry up. SUMMARY
This variety has been notified in Control measures include From the above facts, ricebean is a
2016 by CVRL. It is a potential (i) Collect and burn the infected vibrant potential fodder legume crop
crop/ variety for lean period plants, (ii) Prefer late sowing, which has the capacity to enhance the
cultivation. (iii) Wider planting, (iv) Crop productivity and quality of fodder to
JRBJ 05-4 (Jower ricebean 2): This rotation, (v) Proper drainage, and the livestock and sustain under wide
variety of ricebean was developed by (vi) Seed treatment with Bavistin of range climatic conditions.
JNKV, Jabalpur from secondary @ 1 g/kg seeds.
selection of 1C 108860. It is an early 3. Bacterial Blight (Pseudomonas *Corresponding author e-mail:
type semi-erect variety with green spp.): The pathogen is seed borne magansingh07@[Link]
fodder of 240-260 q/ha, 44-47 q/ha and main source of primary

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