Balanced Nutrition Becomes Critical for Mung Bean Cultivation: The Role of Groplus

Guest author: Amit Mishra, Divisional Agronomist, Coromandel International Limited

16 March 2026, New Delhi: Agriculture in India is currently undergoing a period of significant transformation. Rising input costs, climate variability, and declining soil fertility are creating new challenges for farmers. These pressures are particularly critical for pulse crops such as mung bean (green gram) and urd bean (black gram), which play a vital role in meeting the country’s protein requirements.

A key concern increasingly highlighted by agronomists is nutrient imbalance in soils. Studies and field observations indicate that deficiencies of both macro and micronutrients can reduce mung and urd yields by 15–30 percent. Such losses affect not only farm productivity but also farmer income and the broader goal of nutritional security in India.

Why Balanced Nutrition is Essential for Mung Bean

Pulse crops are highly sensitive to nutrient availability. While nitrogen and phosphorus are traditionally considered the primary nutrients in crop nutrition, mung bean requires a broader spectrum of elements throughout its growth stages—from early vegetative development to flowering and pod filling.

To address these requirements, fertilizers designed with a balanced nutrient profile are increasingly being promoted. One such product is Groplus, which aims to provide a combination of essential macro and micronutrients needed for pulse crops.

Key Characteristics Associated with Groplus

• High availability of phosphorus
• Presence of micronutrients such as calcium, sulphur, zinc, and boron
• Improvement in soil physical properties and pH balance
• Support for stronger root system development
• Compatibility with other fertilizers
• Stable formulation suitable for long-term storage

These attributes are intended to support healthier plants, stronger roots, deeper green foliage, well-filled pods, and improved crop quality.

Role of Key Nutrients in Groplus

Phosphorus (16%)

Phosphorus plays a central role in root development, branching, flowering, and pod formation. It also contributes to stronger stems and improved resistance to environmental stress while supporting crop maturity.

Calcium (19%)

Calcium is essential for cell wall formation and plays a key role in root system development. It also contributes to improving soil structure and chemical balance.

Sulphur

Sulphur supports chlorophyll formation and protein synthesis, which are particularly important in pulse crops. It also helps improve crop quality and uniform maturity while contributing to resistance against certain pests and diseases.

Zinc

Zinc supports chlorophyll production and the development of new leaves. It also plays a role in carbohydrate metabolism and enzyme activation, which are essential for plant growth.

Boron

Boron is crucial for flower formation and pod development. It also helps regulate sugar transport and hormone balance within the plant, contributing to improved grain filling and seed weight.

DAP vs Balanced Nutrition

Diammonium phosphate (DAP) has long been a widely used fertilizer in pulse cultivation because it provides nitrogen and phosphorus. However, crops such as mung bean require additional micronutrients for optimal growth.

When fertilizers containing a wider nutrient spectrum are combined with nitrogen sources such as urea, plants may receive a more comprehensive nutrient supply including:

• Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
• Calcium
• Sulphur
• Zinc
• Boron

This broader nutritional support can help crops reach their full yield potential, which may not always be possible when relying solely on DAP.

Scientific Recommendations for Fertilizer Use in Mung

Agronomists recommend careful nitrogen management in pulse crops because of their natural nitrogen-fixing ability.

Key Advisory Points

• Mung bean requires relatively low nitrogen inputs.
• Application of urea after about 20 days of sowing is generally discouraged in pulse cultivation.
• Balanced fertilizers along with recommended doses of potash are most effective when applied before or at the time of sowing.

Soil Health and Crop Productivity

Healthy soil is the foundation of sustainable agriculture. Nutrient imbalances can lead to:

• Weak root systems
• Incomplete pod development
• Lighter grains
• Reduced yields

Balanced nutrient management therefore becomes essential not only for crop productivity but also for long-term soil health.

A National Perspective

Mung bean and urd bean are central to India’s pulse economy. Any decline in production directly affects:

• Market availability of pulses
• Price stability
• The country’s nutritional security

Ensuring higher and more stable pulse yields is therefore both an agricultural and a national priority.

Balanced Nutrition as the Future of Farming

Indian agriculture is gradually shifting toward precision and balanced nutrient management. Fertilizers designed to provide multiple nutrients can help farmers maintain soil fertility while improving crop productivity and profitability.

Ultimately, the relationship between soil health, plant nutrition, and farmer livelihood remains deeply interconnected.

Healthy soil → Balanced nutrition → Better crops → Sustainable livelihoods.

For farmers cultivating mung bean, adopting balanced nutrient strategies is not merely a short-term advantage but an investment in the future of sustainable agriculture.

Also Read: India Could Face Sulphur Shortage if Gulf Supply Disruptions Continue, Fertiliser Sector on Alert

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