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Lobia (Cowpea)KharifOpen-pollinatedUpdated 2 September 2026

Bundel Lobia-2

A dual grain-and-fodder cowpea from ICAR's arid-legume breeding programme, recommended for the north-west zone and grown as much for its fast, high-yielding green fodder as for its grain.

SeasonKharif
Maturity periodNot separately documented; grown mainly as a fast-cut fodder crop rather than to grain maturity
Expected yield35–40 t/ha green fodder
Suitable soilAdaptable to a range of soils, tolerant of moderate moisture stress

Quick facts

Crop
Lobia (Cowpea)
Type
Open-pollinated
Season
Kharif
Maturity period
Not separately documented; grown mainly as a fast-cut fodder crop rather than to grain maturity
Seed rate
30–35 kg/ha where sown thickly as a fodder crop; 20–25 kg/ha for line sowing where grain is also wanted
Expected yield
35–40 t/ha green fodder
Suitable soil
Adaptable to a range of soils, tolerant of moderate moisture stress
Release
ICAR arid-legume breeding programme — documented in the official arid legume variety register; exact institute and notification year not further confirmed in this research pass

About this variety

Bundel Lobia-2 is a dual-purpose (grain and fodder) cowpea variety documented in ICAR's official arid-legume variety register alongside its predecessor, Bundel Lobia-1. Where Bundel Lobia-1 is recommended for cultivation across the whole country with a green fodder yield of 30–35 t/ha, Bundel Lobia-2 is specifically recommended for the north-west zone and documented with a higher green fodder yield of 35–40 t/ha. Cowpea fodder of this kind is valued as a fast-growing, protein-rich green feed that can be cut once or more through the season, filling the gap in a livestock feeding programme between the main forage crops. Detailed grain-yield and disease-reaction figures specific to Bundel Lobia-2 were not confirmed from a primary source in this research pass; its documented strength is specifically as a high-yielding fodder type for the north-west zone.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeOpen-pollinated
    MaturityNot separately documented; grown mainly as a fast-cut fodder crop rather than to grain maturity
    Yield potential35–40 t/ha green fodder
    Disease resistanceNot separately documented
    SoilAdaptable to a range of soils, tolerant of moderate moisture stress
    SeasonKharif

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timeKharif, with the monsoon (June–July), in its recommended north-west zone
  • Seed rate30–35 kg/ha where sown thickly as a fodder crop; 20–25 kg/ha for line sowing where grain is also wanted
  • SpacingCloser, near-broadcast spacing for a fodder cut; wider line spacing (30 cm rows) where grain is also harvested

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

Not separately documented; grown mainly as a fast-cut fodder crop rather than to grain maturity

Expected yield

35–40 t/ha green fodder

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

  • Not separately documented

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • A high documented green fodder yield of 35–40 t/ha for the north-west zone, ahead of the whole-country Bundel Lobia-1 figure of 30–35 t/ha.
  • A dual grain-and-fodder use gives a livestock-keeping grower flexibility that a pure-vegetable or pure-grain cowpea variety cannot.
  • Fast growth and cutting suit it to filling a gap in a green-fodder feeding calendar.

Things to consider

  • Detailed dry-grain yield and named disease-resistance figures were not found for this variety in this research pass — where grain is the primary goal, compare it against a grain-focused release like Pusa Komal or Pusa Sukomal.
  • Its recommendation is specifically for the north-west zone; outside that belt, check with your local KVK whether Bundel Lobia-1's whole-country recommendation fits better.

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Punjab
  • Haryana
  • Rajasthan
  • Uttar Pradesh

Frequently asked questions

Is Bundel Lobia-2 grown for grain or for fodder?

It is documented as a dual-purpose grain-and-fodder cowpea, but its clearest documented strength is fodder — a high green fodder yield of 35–40 t/ha for its recommended north-west zone. A grower whose main goal is dry grain for dal should compare it against a dedicated grain type.