Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), commonly
known as Arhar, is a tropical crop. It is
planted in flat and hilly lands, on field
bunds or as hedges. With proper time of
planting at ideal conditions, population
ranges from 5,00,000-6,50,000 plants per
hectare (Gowda and Kaul 1982). Arhar
has a multipurpose use. The juice of the
young leaves is used as a medicine for the
treatment of jaundice (Nadkarni 1954).
Green seed is used as a vegetable. As the
stem does not require splitting and since
it dries very quickly, the plant is very
popular as fuel to the villagers. Other
advantages of Arhar cultivation include
conservation and nitrogen enrichment of
the soil (Alim 1985).