ASSIGNMENT

ON
GUAR CULTIVATION
 Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba)

Chapter 1 Contents
1. Introduction
2 Climate
3. Soil
4. Varieties
5. Land Preparation
6. Seed and Sowing
7. Manures and Fertilizers
8. Irrigation
9. Crop Rotations
10. Intercropping
11. Weed Control
12. Disease Control
14. Pest Control
15. Harvesting and Yield
16. Uses and Economic Importance
17. Price of guar
18. Value added products from guar

I. Introduction

Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) has been grown in India since ancient time for
vegetables and fodder purposes. At present it is grown more for mucilaginous gum production.
The presence of a number of wild relatives of guar in Africa suggests that it was most probably
originated in Africa. In India, it is grown in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh,
Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. Guar plant produces a cluster of flowers, therefore, it is also known
as cluster bean. Its taproot system is well developed. Therefore, it is also popular as drought
hardy plant and can survive better under comparatively dry conditions.

II. Climate

Guar is a photosensitive crop. It grows in specific climatic condition, which ensure a soil
temperature around 25°C for proper germination, long photo-period, with humid air during its
growth period and finally short photo-period with cool dry air at flowering and pod formation.
Accordingly, it is definitely a kharif season crop in North India, but some varieties have been
found to grow during March to June as spring- summer crop and other varieties grow during July
to November as rainy season crop under South Indian climatic conditions. It is a crop preferring
warm climate and grows well in the subtropics during summer.

It also grows well in arid zone with 30 -40 cm rainfall. Heavy rains, producing
waterlogged condition or more compact soils disturb its root system with surface feeding nature
and reduce nitrogen fixing bacterial activity.
III. Soil

The guar crop prefers a well drained sandy loam soil. It can tolerate saline and
moderately alkaline soils with pH ranging between 7.5 and 8.0. Heavy clay soils, poor in
nodulation and bacterial activities, are not suitable for this crop.

Soils with medium to light constituents, without excessive moisture, are suitable for its
cultivation. Even soils with poor fertility and depleted plant nutrients are suitable for growing
Guar as a green manure crop. Pasture lands receiving little care can also be used for growing
guar mixed with grasses.

IV. Varieties

The guar varieties developed recently, focus on plant characters which determine grain
production or vegetable pod production or green fodder yield and quality. Some of them are
described below.

1. Durgapur Safed
It is a selection from the local variety and is recommended for Rajasthan legion. It is an
early maturing variety and takes about 105 days to mature. It is mainly grown for grain
production. Its grains are suitable for gum (30%) extraction. Seeds are medium bold with buff
colour. It yields about 15 quintals of grains per hectare. It is susceptible to diseases like leaf spot
and bacterial blight.

2. FS-277
This variety is recommended for growing in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. It
matures in about 130 days. Seeds are white in colour containing about 30-32% gum. It produces
about 1.9 quintals of dry grains per hectare or a yield of 300 quintals green fodder can be
expected from this variety under irrigated conditions.

3. Ageta Guara-111
It is a selection from advanced generation of hybridization between guar strains no 235
and FS-277. It has a special character of early maturity and matures in about 95 days. This
variety under favuorable conditions can yield about 30 quintals of grains per hectare. It is
recommended for Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Its seeds are gray in colour,
small in size with 30.76% gum. The variety is susceptible to diseases like leaf spot and bacterial
blight.

4. Guar No.2
This variety is recommended for all the states of the northern India. It yields about 250
quintals of green fodder. If allowed to mature it hardly produces 8-10 quintals of dry grains.

5. GH-10
This variety has wide adaptability and can be grown for grain purpose under late sown
conditions. It matures in about 130 days. It yields about 18 quintals of dry grain per hectare.
6. HFG-119
It is a late maturing variety with wide adaptability for North Indian climate. It produces
about 350 quintals of green fodder or 16 -18 quintals of dry grain per hectare. Its seeds are
medium bold, containing 30.7% gum.

7. Pusa Sadabahar
It can be sown as early as March and starts producing pods after 45 days of sowing,
Plucking of pods continues till September. It yields about 60 -70 quintals of green pods per
hectare. It is recommended for South India as rain fed crop.

8. Pusa Mausami
It is recommended for vegetable pod production in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar
Pradesh. The first plucking of pods begins 80 days after sowing. It yields' about 50 quintals of
green pods per hectare.

9. Pusa Navbahar
It is especially popular for longer and better quality pods in South India. Its plants are
unbranched and produce cluster of pods at each node, which become a harbour for diseases and
pests during rainy season. It has a prolonged period of plucking and yields about 60 quintals of
green pods per hectare.

Some important varieties of guar popular in different regions of India are listed in table
-1.

Table-I. Varieties of' guar for different regions

Sl.No Region Varieties

1 Northern India
2 Southern India
Pusa Navbahar, Pusa Mausami, Pusa Sadabahar,
GH-10, HFG-119, Ageta Guara-111, Guar No.2,
FS-277, Durgapur Safed, S-299-7, G-1, G-2, G-
4, HG-12, D-111, D-128, G-429, HG-75, B-17,
B-2796, IGFRI-5212
Pusa Navbahar, Pusa Sadabahar, GH-10, HFG-
119, Saradbahar, IC 11704, P-28-1, CP-78, S-
299-7, IC-11521, IC-11388.

V. Land Preparation

Guar crop requires a well prepared field, with adequate soil moisture for its seed
germination. During early growth period, soil aeration encourages root development and
bacterial growth. Therefore, field should be ploughed to fine tilth by giving two or three deep
ploughing with soil-turning plough, followed by harrowing and planking. The field should be
free from weeds and other crop residues. Arrangements for drainage channel-cum-water channel
for heavy rain- fall areas or irrigated areas should be made while preparing the field. The
farmyard manure should be mixed with soil at the time of last ploughing.
VI. Seed and Sowing

The important steps involved in the sowing of guar are described here.

1. Time of sowing
Summer crop of guar in northern India is sown in March, while kharif crop in June. For
grain crop, the best time of sowing is during July. Early sowings result in more vegetative
growth, lodging and loss of yield. The best sowing time for fodder crop is April. In Peninsular
India, guar is sown in September. In South India, it is sown at any time between February to
October. Guar sowing time is adjusted to May-June to increase supply of vegetable pods. Crop
sown in June in Haryana and in July in Punjab gives better production of vegetable pods.

2. Seed rate
Seed rate of guar crop varies from 15 kg to 45 kg per hectare depending upon soil
moisture and spacing. About 20 kg seed per hectare is sufficient for grain crop. Seed rate for
crops grown for fodder or green manuring is about 40 kg per hectare. Seed rate is normally
increased under late sown condition, dry condition, and soil salinity or alkalinity conditions.

3. Spacing
A spacing of 45 cm between rows and 15 cm, between plants is given for crops grown for
grain production. However, spacing is generally reduced under late sowing and poor soil fertility
conditions. Closer spacing of 30 X 12 cm is provided for fodder crop. A wider spacing of 60 X
30 cm is desirable for crops grown for green vegetable pod production.

4. Seed treatment
In humid areas, where there are more chances of disease out-break, seeds are treated in
the following ways.

i. Dry seed is coated with Ceresan or Thiram at the rate of 3 gm fungicide per kilogram of seed to
kill the spores of fungus resting on the seed coat.
ii. Seed is immersed in hot water at 560 C for 10 minutes and then dried at room temperature
before sowing. This kills all the fungus mycelium and inactivates their spores to spread disease
in the crop.

5. Inoculation of seed ,vith bacterial culture

Guar plant develops nodules on its roots, in which a special kind of bacteria lives and
converts the free nitrogen of the atmosphere into a form of fertilizer which is absorbed by the
roots of the plant. This symbiotic relation of the bacteria and root nodules is useful in saving cost
of nitrogenous fertilizers. Therefore, before sowing the seeds are inoculated with these bacteria
so that their population increases in the soil, with the growth of the plant. This is done by
preparing a 10% sugar or gur solution in boiling water. This sugar solution is allowed to cool. On
cooling 3 -4 packets of guar bacterial culture are mixed with solution to make a thin paste. This
paste is coated over to the seed. Seed is dried under shade for 30 -40 minutes before sowing.

6. Method of sowing
 Seed of guar can be sown by broadcast method, when. There is sufficient soil moisture
during the beginning of the rainy season. The field is roughly divided into long stripes of
convenient size. The seed is evenly spread by hands over the surface of the field, while walking
through the long stripes of the field. The field is ploughed after spreading the seed. This method
does not ensure proper spacing and creates problems while hoeing, weeding and removing
excessive rain water.

Line sowing with the help of pora behind the plough or by seed-drill is useful in sowing
the seed at proper spacing and depth. This results in better seed germination. Line sowing is also
useful for carrying out hoeing-weeding and removing excessive rain water.

VII. Manures and Fertilizers

Guar crop needs 10-12 tonnes of well decomposed farmyard manure, especially when it
is being cultivated on poor sandy soils, or after taking an exhausting crop. This manure is applied
a month before sowing.

Nitrogenous fertilizers are applied only in small quantity (about 20 kg of nitrogen)

because most of nitrogen to the crop comes from the atmosphere through bacterial action.
Phosphatic fertilizers about 60 kg, potassic 20 kg per hectare along with 20 kg of nitrogen are
applied as basal dose as the time of sowing, with the help of pora just 4 -5 cm below the seed.
Spray the crop with 0.15% solution of sodium molybdate after 30 days of sowing after the
seedling emergence increases the yield of both fodder and grain.

VIII. Irrigation

The kharif season crop grown during rainy season as a rule, does not need any irrigation
if rains are adequate and well distributed. If rains are too heavy, the excess water should be
drained off promptly. For dry season crops, irrigation. at fortnightly intervals in the early summer
and at ten days intervals later are given. Normally the crop requires 4-5 irrigations.

IX. Crop Rotations

Crop rotation is a system of growing crops in such a way that the same field does not get
the same crop year after year. This helps in controlling diseases and pests of the crop and also in
maintaining soil fertility. A number of crops of the same season like bajra, guar, cotton, rice,
sorghum, sugarcane etc, are put in crop rotation sequence. Some common crop rotations with
guar are given below.

Rice -cotton -guar -bajra

Guar -rice -sorghum
Sorghum -guar -cotton
Cotton -guar -rice -sorghum

XX. Intercropping
 The guar for forage is generally grown mixed with jowar or bajra. This makes a well
balanced, nutritious and palatable feed for cattle. Intercropping guar with other kharif season
crops like cotton, sorghum, maize, etc serve dual purpose. It provides additional and timely
returns and improves the soil fertility for the partner crop. Guar crop can also be taken as
intercrop in sugarcane crop.

XI. Weed Control

Guar field in kharif season is always full with a number of weed plants, Hoeing and
weeding in the initial stages of plant growth with the help of khurpi, tined harrow reduces the
weed-crop competition and increases soil aeration for bacterial growth. The application of
Basalin at the rate of 1.0 kg a.i. per hectare as pre- planting dose suppresses the growth of
grasses and other weeds.

XII. Disease Control

The most common diseases of guar are wilt, bacterial blight, powdery mildew, and
anthracnose. These diseases along with their control measures are described here.

1. Wilt
This disease is caused by Fusarium monolifonne. The pathogen is soil- borne and,
therefore, its damage is of localized nature. It causes infection to the base of plants including
roots and seedlings. The roots show dis-colouration and plant wilts. Poor emergence of seedlings
is the first symptom of the disease. The seedlings rot before or soon after emergence.
Chapter 2
Chapter 3 Control
a. Mixed croping of guar with sorghum reduces the damage up to 55 per cent.
b. Addition of organic manures also reduces the disease incidence.
c. Seed treatment with Agrosan GN or Thiram or Captan at the rate 3 g/kg seed prevents the
disease spread during germination and seedling emergence.

2. Anthracnose
This disease is caused by Colletotncum capsici. The disease is more severe in high
rainfall subtropical to temperate areas than in tropical areas. The fungus is seed -borne and
symptoms may start as early as in seedling stage. The most characteristic symptoms of the
disease are black, sunken, crater like cankers on the pods, stem or cotyledons. The lesions remain
isolated by yellow -orange margins. They give out a dull salmon contoured ooze from the centre
when humidity is very high.
Chapter 4
Chapter 5 Control
a. Use healthy seed., b. Avoid excess watering; c. Give wider spacing; d. Use hot water treated
seed ; e. Spray fungicides like Dithane M -45 or Dithane Z- 78 at the rate of 2 kg in l000 litres of
water per hectare.

3. Powdery mildew
 This disease is caused by Oidium ~pp. White powdery growth occurs on leaves,
spreading to cover the stem and other plant parts. In severe cases, the entire plant dries up.
Chapter 6
Chapter 7 I. Control
a. Dustig with sulphur powder
b. Spraing with systemic fungicides Benlate or Bavistin and Calixin gives effective control of
powdery mildew.
c. Sowing healthy seed after treating with Thiram.
d. Follow a crop rotation to reduce the soil- borne innoculum of the fungus.

4. Bacterial blight
This disease is caused by Xanthomonas cyamophagus. The disease is characterized by
irregular, sunken, red to brown leaf spots surrounded by a narrow yellowish halo. Several spots
coalesce to from irregular patches. The spots may also develop on pods.
Chapter 8
Chapter 9 Control
a. Grow resistant varieties like HC-75, HFC-119, etc.
b. Treat the seed with thiram at the rate of 3 gm/kg seed. Also adopt hot water treatment at 560 C
for 10 minutes.
c. Eradicate affected plants and burn them.

5. Leaf spot
This disease is caused by Myrothecium roridum. Dark brown round spots appear on leaf.
In case of severe infection. Several spots merge together and leaflets become chlorotic and
usually drop off. If plants are infected in the early stages of growth, there may not be any
flowering.
Chapter 10
Chapter 11 Control
Spray with Dithane Z- 78,0.2% at the interval of 15 days, twice or thrice.

XIII. Pest Control

Guar is a rainy season crop. Therefore, a number of insect pests feed and grow on its
leaves and pods. Some important ones are described here.

1. Hairy caterpillars
Ascotis imparata and Spilosoma obliqua, Amsacta lactinae and Euproctis scintilans are
the insects that cause heavy damage. The adult lays eggs in clusters over the surface of the
leaves. The larvae cause characteristic skeletonisation of leaves during the early gregarious stage
and later they completely defoliate the plant. The pest can easily be controlled by systematic
collection of larvae during the early gregarious stage or spraying with Endosulfan @ 0.07
percent.

2. Jassid
Empoasca fabae, Empoasca Kraemeri and Amrascakerri are serious pest of the crop. The
nymph are wingless and found in abundance on the lower surface of the leaves. The nymph and
adult pierce the plant tissues and suck the cell sap. Leaves become yellow at the margin. They
can be controlled by: (i) soil application of systemic granular insecticides such as Aldicarb 10 G
at the rate of 10 -15 kg per hectare. (ii) spray of Endosulphan 35 EC at the rate of 2litres in 1000
litres of water, or (iii) dusting of BHC 10% dust at the rate of 20 -25 kg per hectare.

XIV. Harvesting and Yield

The pods of the guar become ready for plucking, depending upon the variety, from 40
days onwards after sowing. Picking is done at an interval of 10 –12 days. When crop is grown
for fodder, the plants are cut when they are in flowering stage or when the pods are beginning to
emerge. This stage comes 50 to 80 days after sowing. For green manuring the crop can be
ploughed down as soon as the pods begin to develop. The yield of the green material crop is
about 120 quintals per hectare. When crop is grown for seeds, it is left until the pods are mature,
then harvested with the help of sickles and dried and threshed.

A good crop under favorable climatic conditions yields about 300 quintals of green
fodder or 15 quintals of dry seeds or 60 quintals of green pods per hectare.

XV. Uses and economic Importance

Agriculture

Guar can be fed to cattle, or used as a green manure. However use as cattle feed is now rare due
to the rising cost.

Food

Guar protein is not usable by humans unless toasted to destroy the trypsin inhibitor. Guar can be
eaten as a green bean, but is more important as the source of guar gum. Guar beans have a large
endosperm that contains galactomannan gum, a substance which forms a gel in water. This is
commonly known as guar gum and is used in dairy products like ice cream and as a stabilizer in
cheese and cold-meat processing.

Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) is produced by the partial enzymatic hydrolysis of
guaran, the galactomannan of the endosperm of guar seeds (guar gum). It is a neutral
polysaccharide consisting of a mannose backbone chain with single galactose side units
occurring on almost two out of every three mannose units. The average molecular weight is
about 25,000 Daltons. This gives a PHGG that still assays and functions as a soluble dietary
fiber. PHGG as sold commercially is completely soluble, acid and heat stable, unaffected by
ions, and will not gel at high concentrations. Commercial PHGG is approximately 75% dietary
fiber and has minimal effect on taste and texture in food and beverage items. PHGG is fully
fermentable in the large bowel, with a high rate of volatile fatty acid formation. The pH of the
feces is lowered along with an increase in fecal bulk that mainly consists of bacterial cell mass
and water. Clinical studies have demonstrated a prebiotic effect of PHGG. Studies have also
shown PHGG can be used to maintain regularity. PHGG is used in foods for particulate
suspension, emulsification, antistaling, ice crystal control, and reduced fat baked goods.
Nutrient Facts Serving Size: 1 Tbs(7g) Servings Per Container: 64.00 Amount Per Serving %
Daily Value Calories 20.00 Calories from Fat 0.00 Total Fat-0.00 g Saturated Fat-0.00 g Trans
Fat-0 g Cholesterol-0.00 mg Sodium-2.00 mg Total Carbohydrate-6.00 g Dietary Fiber-6.00 g
Sugars-0.00 g Protein-0.00 g Vitamin A-0.00 % Vitamin C-0.00 % Calcium-0.00 % Iron-1.00 %

 Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be
higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Industrial Uses

Derivatives of guar gum that has been further reacted is also used in industrial applications, such
as the paper and textile industry, ore flotation, the manufacture of explosives and hydraulic
fracturing (fracking) of oil and gas formations. Guar gum is often cross-linked with boron or
chromium ions to make it more stable and heat resistant. The cross linking of guar with metal
ions results in linear gel that does not block the formation and helps efficiently in formation
cleaning process. The borate - guar reaction is reversible, and depends on the pH (hydrogen ion
concentration) of the solution. Cross linking of guar with borate happens at high pH
(approximately 9-10) of solution. Guar gum has also proven a useful substitute for locust bean
gum (made from carob seeds).

Sugaring paste used for epilation may include guar as an ingredient.

Price of guar

The prices of guar seed and guar gum touched their highest spot price of Rs 30,812.40 per
quintal and Rs 1,06,488 per quintal, respectively. The government has not proposed to announce
a minimum support price (MSP) for guar.

Value added products

 Guar gum