Cultivation: Mucuna is a popular kharif crop in India and south China. Seeds are sown at rate of 50 kg/ha between 15 June to 15th July with plant spacing of 60*60 cm. Delayed sowing may result in infestation of aphids (Aphis craccivora) (Oudhia 2001a ). Although, no named cultivar of Mucuna is available, locally available seeds possess good viability and higher germination (Oudhia 2001b). Plant support increases yield 25% and reduces pest infestation. Normally flowering begins 45 days after sowing. (Oudhia and Tripathi 2001). Yields of 5000 kg/ha have been recorded from well managed irrigated crop having supports. (Singh et al. 1995; Farooqi et al. 1999)
Velvet bean is an annual climbing vine that grows 3-18 m in height. It
is indigenous to tropical regions, especially Africa, India, and the
West Indies. Its flowers are white to dark purple and hang in long
clusters. The plant also produces clusters of pods which contain seeds
known as Mucuna beans. The seed pods are covered with reddish-orange
hairs that are readily dislodged and can cause intense irritation to the
skin. The species name "pruriens" (from the Latin, "itching sensation")
refers to the results to be had from contact with the seed pod hairs.
Mucuna is an annual twinning plant.. Leaves are trifoliate, gray-silky beneath; petioles are long and silky, 6.3/1.3 cm. Leaflets are membranous, terminal leaflets are smaller, lateral very unequal sided. Dark purple flowers (6 to 30) occur in drooping racemes. Fruits are curved, 4? seeded. The longitudinally ribbed pod, is densely covered with persistent pale-brown or grey trichomes that cause irritating blisters. Seeds are black ovoid and 12 mm long (Sastry and Kavathekar 1990; Agharkar 1991; Verma et al. 1993).
Mucuna is an annual twinning plant.. Leaves are trifoliate, gray-silky beneath; petioles are long and silky, 6.3/1.3 cm. Leaflets are membranous, terminal leaflets are smaller, lateral very unequal sided. Dark purple flowers (6 to 30) occur in drooping racemes. Fruits are curved, 4? seeded. The longitudinally ribbed pod, is densely covered with persistent pale-brown or grey trichomes that cause irritating blisters. Seeds are black ovoid and 12 mm long (Sastry and Kavathekar 1990; Agharkar 1991; Verma et al. 1993).
Mucuna
(Mucuna Pruriens), also known as velvet bean and cowitch, is an herb
used as a minor food crop and medicinal bean in China,India, West
Africa, and Central America. It is indigenous to India and is a popular
medicinal in that region. It is widespread over most of the subcontinent
and can be found in bushes, hedges and dry-deciduous.
The pods of the Mucuna have hair-like needles covering the outside. These hairs contain mucunian and serotonin and can cause itching, blisters, and dermatitis. The hairs have been used in itching powder and mixed with honey to be used as vermifuge.
The pods of the Mucuna have hair-like needles covering the outside. These hairs contain mucunian and serotonin and can cause itching, blisters, and dermatitis. The hairs have been used in itching powder and mixed with honey to be used as vermifuge.
