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Chickpea variety KAK-2 (kabuli chana)

KAK-2 is a large-seeded, extra-bold kabuli chickpea variety developed by ANGRAU's Regional Agricultural Research Station, Tandur (now under PJTSAU, Telangana) and notified for release in 2000 for the Central and South Zones of India. It is the leading kabuli cultivar grown in Madhya Pradesh (Sehore, Vidisha, Indore), Maharashtra (Latur, Akola), Karnataka (Vijayapura, Kalaburagi), Telangana (Vikarabad) and Andhra Pradesh (Kurnool, Anantapur), prized for its premium export-grade seed.

Key features

  • Breeder: RARS Tandur, ANGRAU (now PJTSAU), with ICRISAT
  • Notified: 2000, Central Zone and South Zone (AICRP-Chickpea)
  • Duration: 100-115 days
  • Yield potential: 1500-2000 kg/ha rainfed; 2200-2500 kg/ha with one irrigation
  • Grain: extra-bold white kabuli, 100-seed weight 38-42 g; meets 9 mm sieve grade
  • Plant type: semi-erect, 50-60 cm
  • Disease reaction: moderately resistant to fusarium wilt, moderately susceptible to dry root rot and ascochyta blight under cool humid conditions

Cultivation zones

KAK-2 is grown as a rabi crop sown in mid-October to mid-November on residual moisture or one pre-sowing irrigation. Recommended soils are well-drained black or red-loam soils with pH 6.0-8.0. Seed rate is 100-120 kg/ha given the large seed size, at 30 x 10 cm spacing. Nutrient package is 20 kg N + 50 kg P2O5 + 20 kg K2O/ha as basal. Two protective irrigations — at branching (30-35 DAS) and pod-fill (65-70 DAS) — push yields to the upper range. KAK-2 is the kabuli of choice in mechanised farms of Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka and a major export commodity to West Asia.

Pests and diseases

KAK-2 needs IPM-based management of the gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) with pheromone-trap monitoring and need-based diamides. In cool humid pockets of MP and Maharashtra, ascochyta blight (Chickpea ascochyta blight) requires fortnightly contact-fungicide cover. Terminal drought predisposes to dry root rot — managed by timely sowing and a protective irrigation at pod-fill.

Usage and adoption

KAK-2 commands a Rs 800-1500/quintal premium over desi chana in mandi prices due to its 8-9 mm seed size and uniform creamy-white colour preferred by canners and export buyers in Dubai, Algeria and Spain. It is the principal kabuli variety procured under NAFED's PSS chana operations when prices fall below MSP. For very large-seeded specialty kabuli, see Himachal Bharat kabuli.

See also: Bengalgram crop, JG-11 desi chickpea, Himachal Bharat kabuli, Chickpea fusarium wilt, Chickpea MSP procurement.

Sources

  1. KAK-2 kabuli chickpea variety profile. ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur.
  2. Kabuli chickpea improvement in India. ICRISAT.
  3. AICRP-Chickpea PC report 2022-23. ICAR-IIPR.