Getting Pulses to Set More Pods
Getting Pulses to Set More Pods
Simple nutrition steps that strengthen nodulation and help your pulse crop hold more pods.
[IMAGE: A pulse crop in the field, green plants with pods forming, such as gram or moong]
Pulses like gram, tur, moong, and urad have a special ability. With the right root bacteria, they fix their own nitrogen from the air through small nodules on their roots. Feeding a pulse crop well means supporting that natural process, not overriding it. The goal is strong nodulation and more pods that hold and fill.
Here is how to get there.
Go easy on nitrogen, strong on the starter
Pulses make much of their own nitrogen, so heavy nitrogen feeding is wasteful and can actually reduce nodulation. What the crop needs at the start is a modest starter dose to get going, and good phosphorus, which drives root growth and helps the nodules form. Get the phosphorus right and the plant sets up its nitrogen-fixing system well.
[IMAGE: Pulse plant roots pulled up showing small round nodules, or a healthy young pulse plant]
Support nodulation early
The nodules are where the crop makes its nitrogen, so protecting and supporting them early pays off all season. Balanced early nutrition and healthy soil help the nodules develop. This is the foundation for a crop that feeds itself and carries more pods.
Feed flowering and pod set
Flowering and pod set are the stages that decide your yield. The plant needs steady nutrition here to set flowers, hold them, and turn them into pods. Micronutrients matter at this stage. Sulphur supports pulse crops well, and boron helps flowering and pod set. Weak nutrition now means dropped flowers and fewer pods.
[IMAGE: A pulse crop in full flower, or pods developing along the stems]
Watch the pod-filling stage
Once pods set, the crop needs balanced nutrition to fill them. Good potassium supports pod filling and grain quality. Steady feeding through this stage turns set pods into a full, heavy harvest.
The simple rule
Pulses reward a light touch on nitrogen and strong support everywhere else. Phosphorus for roots and nodules, balanced early nutrition, and sulphur and boron for flowering and pod set. A soil test through the Soil Health Card scheme helps you plan the right base for your field.
[IMAGE: A ripe pulse crop close to harvest, plants full of dry pods]
Planning your pulse nutrition? Talk to the FarmFert team or find your nearest dealer.
