ICPL 87 (Pragati)
A short-duration, determinate pigeonpea released as Pragati in 1986, valued for early harvest, wilt tolerance, and fit for double-cropping systems.
Quick facts
- Type
- Open-pollinated
- Season
- Kharif
- Maturity period
- 110–130 days
- Seed rate
- About 20–25 kg/ha for extra-early/short-duration sole cropping in Maharashtra; lower rates are used when ICPL 87 is grown as an intercrop, depending on the cropping geometry
- Expected yield
- About 11–19 q/ha in reported Indian varietal comparisons; 1.14 t/ha was the weighted mean in five years of peninsular-zone trials
- Suitable soil
- Well-drained light to medium soils
- Disease resistance
- Tolerant to Fusarium wilt; it can recover well after pod-borer damage, but it should not be treated as resistant to sterility mosaic disease
- Release
- Released in India as Pragati in 1986 for the peninsular zone; developed by ICRISAT from ICPX 73052 (T21 × JA 277)
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
About this variety
ICPL 87, released in India as Pragati in 1986, was developed by ICRISAT through pedigree selection from the cross ICPX 73052 (T21 × JA 277). It is a short-statured, determinate pigeonpea with a semi-spreading habit and clustered pods near the top of the canopy. At ICRISAT Center it flowered in about 70–75 days and matured in roughly 110–130 days. In five years of All India Coordinated Pulses Improvement Project trials in peninsular India, it produced a weighted mean seed yield of 1.14 t/ha, about 10% higher than the UPAS 120 control. It is particularly notable for its short duration, Fusarium wilt tolerance, ability to recover after pod-borer damage and potential for ratoon or multiple harvests under favorable moisture conditions.
Should you pick this variety?
Pick ICPL 87 (Pragati) if you want the arhar off the field early. It is a short, determinate plant that was made for double-cropping systems in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat, and it has the shortest range of any arhar here: UPAS 120 needs 125–150 days and ICPL 87119 (Asha) 160–200. It tolerates Fusarium wilt and can recover after pod-borer damage. Three limits matter. It is not resistant to sterility mosaic, so in a sterility-mosaic belt sow Asha or BSMR 736 and accept the longer season. Its yield is a wide 11–19 q/ha in reported comparisons, against 18–25 q/ha for Asha, so do not budget on the top end. And it is an old release, from the same year as Maruti, so newer varieties carry wider disease cover. If you farm in the north-west instead of the peninsula, UPAS 120 is the early variety recommended there.
Sowing & cultivation
- Sowing timeWith the onset of the monsoon, generally June in its main peninsular growing belt; delayed sowing can reduce yield and multiple-harvest potential
- Seed rateAbout 20–25 kg/ha for extra-early/short-duration sole cropping in Maharashtra; lower rates are used when ICPL 87 is grown as an intercrop, depending on the cropping geometry
- SpacingAround 45 × 10 cm for extra-early sole-crop systems in Maharashtra; spacing should be adjusted for the local sole-crop or intercrop system
- Sowing methodLine sowing is preferred for uniform plant population and easier intercultural operations; its determinate, short-statured plant type also allows relatively close planting
- IrrigationPrimarily suited to rainy-season production. Under dry spells, provide supplemental irrigation when soil moisture becomes limiting, particularly around flowering and pod filling; avoid prolonged waterlogging.
- FertilizerNo reliable ICPL-87-specific fertilizer dose was identified from the primary variety documents. Follow the state-recommended pigeonpea nutrient package based on soil testing rather than treating a generic dose as variety-specific.
- HarvestingAbout 110–130 days to maturity under suitable conditions. Its short duration allows earlier harvest than medium- and long-duration pigeonpea and can help fit another crop into the system. Under favorable moisture conditions, ratoon or multiple harvests are possible.
Soil & climate
Soil
- Suitable soil
- Well-drained light to medium soils. ICPL 87 has been evaluated on Alfisol and Vertisol environments, but prolonged standing water should be avoided.
- Irrigation
- Good drainage is important. Short-duration pigeonpea can tolerate different soil environments, but prolonged waterlogging can restrict root function and crop performance.
Climate
- Climate
- Best suited to warm rainy-season environments where a short-duration pigeonpea can escape some late-season drought. Timely sowing is important because delayed sowing has been associated with reduced yield and lower multiple-harvest potential.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
- Fusarium wilt — tolerant; this is one of the defining disease-related advantages of ICPL 87
- Sterility mosaic disease — do not describe ICPL 87 as resistant; the primary ICRISAT material specifically documents wilt tolerance rather than sterility-mosaic resistance
- Pod borer — not a resistant variety, but it has a notable ability to compensate and recover after insect damage, particularly through a second flush
Management notes
- Use clean, quality seed and follow the locally recommended seed-treatment package for pigeonpea before sowing.
- Monitor for pod borer and other insect pests during flowering and pod development; do not assume that wilt tolerance means broad pest resistance.
- Where wilt has historically been a problem, its wilt tolerance is an advantage, but crop rotation and field sanitation remain useful disease-management practices.
- Sow on time with the monsoon because delayed sowing can reduce yield and multiple-harvest potential.
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- Short duration — about 110–130 days — allowing earlier harvest than longer-duration pigeonpea
- Determinate, short-statured plant type suitable for relatively high-density production
- Fusarium wilt tolerance, a major advantage in wilt-prone fields
- Performed about 10% above UPAS 120 in the weighted mean of five years of peninsular-zone trials
- Suitable for multiple-harvest systems and capable of ratoon production under favorable moisture conditions
- Historically adopted in Maharashtra and Karnataka and useful where short-duration pigeonpea fits the cropping calendar
Things to consider
- It is an old 1986 release; newer pigeonpea varieties may offer stronger disease packages or better adaptation for specific regions.
- Do not treat ICPL 87 as sterility-mosaic resistant — the primary ICRISAT description establishes Fusarium wilt tolerance, not sterility-mosaic resistance.
- Yield figures vary substantially by trial system. The safest general field framing is the reported 11–19 q/ha range rather than quoting high-density experimental or multiple-harvest yields as normal commercial yield.
- Its short duration is an advantage only where the local rainfall, soil moisture and cropping calendar support early pigeonpea; it is not automatically the best choice for every pigeonpea-growing region.
- The strongest documented adoption evidence is from peninsular India, particularly Maharashtra and Karnataka, rather than the whole Indian pigeonpea belt.
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Maharashtra
- Karnataka
- Gujarat
Working out the double-crop calendar before you sow
ICPL 87 was released for double cropping, so the calendar is the decision, not an afterthought. Count from your sowing date: 110–130 days from a mid-June sowing puts the harvest between the start of October and the end of that month. That leaves the rabi window open. The same variety sown in late July finishes in November, and the rabi crop then goes in late — which is how a double-crop plan quietly turns into one crop and a gap.
Two things keep the calendar honest. First, sow with the monsoon, not after it: delayed sowing cuts both yield and the chance of a second flush. Second, decide the next crop before the arhar goes in, and keep the second flush only if that crop is not waiting. Under good moisture ICPL 87 can set pods again after the first picking. But holding the field for that costs you the rabi sowing date. In a double-crop system that date is usually worth more than the extra pods.
Can you keep your own planting material?
This is an open-pollinated variety, so seed from a healthy crop of your own can be sown again. Keep seed only from disease-free plants, dry it properly, store it cool and dry, and bring in fresh certified seed every three to four years so the variety does not drift.
How it compares with other varieties
Every Arhar (Tur / Kandi) variety with a page on this site, side by side. The row for this page is highlighted.
| Variety | Best for | Maturity | Yield | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSMR 736 | Fields where wilt and sterility mosaic both strike | About 180–185 days | About 12–18 q/ha average yield under suitable production conditions | Maharashtra |
| ICPL 87 (Pragati)this page | An early pigeonpea for double cropping in the peninsula | 110–130 days | About 11–19 q/ha in reported Indian varietal comparisons; 1.14 t/ha was the weighted mean in five years of peninsular-zone trials | Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat |
| ICPL 87119 (Asha) | Both big diseases covered, with a full-season yield | About 160–200 days | 18–25 q/ha, depending on zone and management | Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Tamil Nadu |
| Maruti (ICP 8863) | Heavy wilt pressure on black soil | 150–180 days; commercial listings commonly state about 150–160 days | About 15–16 q/ha yield potential under suitable management; older official variety tables report about 10–12 q/ha average yield, while ICRISAT/ICAR material reports roughly 1.5–1.6 t/ha potential | Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana |
| Pusa Arhar 16 | Machine harvesting, and the field free in about 120 days | ~120 days | 18–20 q/ha | Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh |
| UPAS 120 | Clearing the field in time for timely wheat | 125–150 days | About 11–15 q/ha average; 1.38–1.8 t/ha has also been reported under suitable conditions | Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand |
Tools for this crop
The numbers you need next: how much seed to buy, whether the lot germinates, what the fertilizer bill looks like and what Arhar (Tur / Kandi) is selling for.
- Seed Rate CalculatorHow much seed your Arhar (Tur / Kandi) plot needs, corrected for the germination of the lot you bought.
- Germination CalculatorTest 100 seeds from the bag before sowing and see whether the lot is fit to sow.
- Seed Variety FinderFilter every Arhar (Tur / Kandi) variety on this site by state, season, duration and soil.
- Fertilizer CalculatorTurn the NPK recommendation for Arhar (Tur / Kandi) into bags of urea, DAP and MOP for your field size.
- Crop CalendarMonth-by-month sowing, weeding, irrigation and harvest dates for Arhar (Tur / Kandi) in your state.
- Crop Profit CalculatorPut your seed, labour and input costs against the yield you expect from this variety.
- Mandi Price CheckerToday's Arhar (Tur / Kandi) rate in your nearest mandi, before you fix a price with a trader.
Subsidy and government support
Schemes that help with the cost of Arhar (Tur / Kandi) seed or planting material. Rules and the application route are on each scheme page.
Frequently asked questions
What is ICPL 87 (Pragati)?
ICPL 87 is a short-duration, determinate pigeonpea variety developed by ICRISAT and released in India as Pragati in 1986. It is known for Fusarium wilt tolerance, early maturity and suitability for multiple-harvest systems.
How many days does ICPL 87 take to mature?
About 110–130 days under suitable conditions.
What is the yield of ICPL 87 pigeonpea?
Historical Indian variety comparisons report roughly 11–19 q/ha. In five years of peninsular-zone trials, ICRISAT recorded a weighted mean of 1.14 t/ha, about 10% above UPAS 120.
Is ICPL 87 resistant to wilt?
ICPL 87 is described by ICRISAT as tolerant to Fusarium wilt. It should not be described as resistant to every major pigeonpea disease.
Is ICPL 87 resistant to sterility mosaic disease?
Do not list it as sterility-mosaic resistant. The primary ICRISAT variety description establishes Fusarium wilt tolerance; it does not establish sterility-mosaic resistance for ICPL 87.
When should ICPL 87 be sown?
It is normally sown with the onset of the monsoon, generally in June in its main peninsular growing belt. Timely sowing is important because delayed sowing can reduce yield.
What is the seed rate of ICPL 87?
About 20–25 kg/ha for extra-early/short-duration sole cropping in Maharashtra. Intercropping uses a lower rate depending on the planting arrangement.
Which states are suitable for ICPL 87?
It has its strongest documented adaptation and adoption in peninsular India, particularly Maharashtra and Karnataka; historical sources also report its use in Gujarat.
ICPL 87 or Pusa Arhar 16 for an early harvest?
Go by your state first. ICPL 87 was released for the peninsular zone and is grown in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat; Pusa Arhar 16 came from IARI for Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. The durations are close — 110–130 days against about 120 days. Pusa Arhar 16 ripens all at once and can be combine-harvested, which ICPL 87 cannot; ICPL 87 has 40 years of field use behind it.
Can I take another crop after ICPL 87 in the same year?
That is what it was bred for. Sown with the June monsoon, a 110–130 day crop clears the field through October, which leaves the rabi window open. Plan the next crop before you sow, because a late arhar sowing pushes the harvest back and eats into that window.
Is the second flush of pods worth keeping?
Under good moisture ICPL 87 can set a second flush after the first picking, and it is the same habit that lets it recover from pod-borer damage. Keep it only if soil moisture or one irrigation is available and the field is not needed for the rabi crop. If the next crop has to go in on time, take the first picking and clear the field.
What spacing suits ICPL 87?
About 45 × 10 cm for sole cropping in the extra-early system used in Maharashtra. ICPL 87 is a short, determinate plant, so it takes closer rows than the tall, branching arhar varieties. If you sow it as an intercrop, widen the spacing and cut the seed rate to match the main crop. Follow your district's recommendation where it differs.
Can I save seed from ICPL 87 for the next season?
Yes, it is an open-pollinated release, so saved seed stays true to type. Keep the seed plot away from other arhar varieties because some crossing happens through bees. Pick seed from healthy plants with a good pod set, thresh when the pods are dry, and store the seed dry. After a few seasons, buy fresh certified seed to keep the variety clean.
Sourced from: ICRISAT — Pigeonpea Variety ICPL 87, Plant Material Description No. 42, ICRISAT — Pigeonpea Variety ICPL 87, Plant Material Description PDF, Crop Science — Registration of ICPL 87 Pigeonpea, NABARD — Seed-rate and spacing recommendations for pigeonpea in Maharashtra, ICRISAT Asia Region Annual Report — adoption and seed sales of ICPL 87 in Maharashtra, Current commercial listing — ICPL-87 pigeonpea seed. editorial policy.