Blackgram is an important pulse crop of India. It is mainly grown under rice fallows during winter season in Andhra Prasdesh, specially in Krishna delta region. Dr. Satyanarayana, Executive Director revolutionised Blackgram production under rice fallows during his services at Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University by developing suitable disease resistant, high yielding varieties for which he was recognised with 2 National Awards.

Blackgram crop in recent years is suffering from yellow mosaic virus disease (YMV) hitherto unknown during winter season. The crop area is also getting reduced due to this problem and is being replaced by Maize, though Rice-Maize crop rotation is exhanstive and un sustainable.

Given a Blackgram variety resistant to YMV disease farmers will resort to Rice–Blackgram rotation, which is economical and sustainable.

Keeping this in mind and with the experience of Dr. Satyanarayana, NRI Agritech started Blackgram improvement programme to develop high yielding, non season bound, YMV resistant varieties.

The breeding programme was aimed at improving locally adopted varieties like LBG-402, LBG-645 and LBG-685 using Pant U-31 as a donor for YMV disease resistance. The genetic nature of resistance was deciphered for the first time as two independent dominant genes acting in a complementary gene action i.e., when both the dominant genes are present, the plant exhibits resistance, and lines with Homozygous dominant genes at both the loci were identified, evaluated for yield.

The products are unique and they can monopolise the blackgram scenario not only in AP but also in other states. In Andhra Pradesh alone, the potential area for blackgram is 4.0 lakh ha. Even if 10% of the area is occupied by the genetically pure seed supplied by NRI Agritech, the market value may as high as Rs 20 crores annually.

Three varieties resistant to YMV disease have been released for marketing by NRI Agritech.

Blackgram	NRI B 002	Sri
Proven and accepted variety Resistant to Yellow Mosaic Virus disease Suitable for cultivation in all seasons Duration 80 days) Dull black seed Areas for adoption High yielder Suitable to cultivate in AP, Telangana, Karnataka, MP and Orissa both in rice fallows and uplands Farmers realized yields upto 2.5 – 3.0 t / ha

Blackgram	NRI B 003	Nandi
Shining black Seeded variety Resistant to Yellow Mosaic Virus disease Suitable for round the year cultivation Duration 80 days High yielder(2.5 – 3.0 t / ha) Areas for adoption Suitable to cultivate in AP, Telangana, Karnataka, MP and Orissa both in rice fallows and uplands

Blackgram	NRI B 004	Maruti
Shining blackgram with mainstem bearing Resistant to Yellow Mosaic Virus disease Suitable for round the year cultivation Duration 75- 80 days High yielder (2.5 3.0 t /ha) Areas for adoption Suitable to cultivate in AP, Telangana, Karnataka, MP and Orissa