Horse gram

Crop Overview

Horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum [Lam.] Verdc.) is a legume in the Fabaceae family. It is one of the less well-known but highly resilient pulses grown mainly in the semi-arid regions of South Asia and parts of Africa. The genus Macrotyloma has about 25 species, but M. uniflorum is the only one widely cultivated for human and livestock use.

The crop has various common names around the world. In India, it’s called “kulthi”, “kulith”, “hurali”, or “madras gram”. In Sri Lanka, it’s known as “kollu”, in Nepal, as “gahat”, and in Africa, sometimes as “grain de cheval”. In English, it’s often called “horse gram” because it has traditionally been used as feed for horses and cattle, especially in dry regions.

The origin of horse gram is believed to be in the Indian subcontinent, where archaeological evidence indicates its cultivation dates back over 2,000 years. It is one of India's earliest domesticated legumes, adapted to tough, drought-prone environments. From India, it spread to Southeast Asia and Africa. Today, India remains the main producer and consumer, especially in states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha, while small-scale cultivation also occurs in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and parts of Africa.

Characteristics, Cultivation, and Agricultural Practices

Horse gram is a tough annual pulse crop that grows well with limited water and poor soil fertility. It features a deep taproot system, allowing it to draw moisture and nutrients from deep soil layers, making it highly drought-tolerant. The plant is a slender, twining herb with trifoliate leaves, small pale-yellow flowers, and pods containing 5–7 hard seeds. The seeds are usually reddish-brown, gray, or black and have a glossy surface.

Horse gram grows well in warm climates with yearly rainfall of 300–900 mm and temperatures between 25–35°C. It prefers sandy loam and red soils that drain well and have a pH of 6.0–7.5. It can be cultivated as a main or residual crop, often rotating with cereals like sorghum, millet, or maize.

The crop is typically planted at the start of the monsoon season. It is grown by direct seeding, using a seed rate of 20–30 kg per hectare, with row spacing of 30–40 cm. As a legume, horse gram enriches the soil by fixing atmospheric nitrogen through symbiosis with Rhizobium bacteria, decreasing the need for nitrogen fertilizers. Intercropping with cereals or oilseeds is common in traditional farming systems.

Controlling weeds during the early growth stages is crucial for good yields. The crop needs minimal pest control, although aphids, pod borers, and leaf spot diseases can sometimes affect it. Harvesting occurs when pods turn brown and dry, with yields typically ranging from 0.5 to 1.2 tons per hectare, depending on the local conditions and management practices.

Nutritional, Economic, and Medicinal Value

Horse gram is known as one of the most nutritious legumes and provides a valuable source of protein and micronutrients for resource-limited populations. The grain contains approximately 20–25% protein, 55–60% carbohydrates, 1–2% fat, and 5–7% fiber. It is high in essential amino acids like lysine and leucine, along with minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, and molybdenum. Horse gram also offers a rich supply of antioxidants and polyphenols, which have positive effects on human health.

From an economic standpoint, horse gram functions both as food and fodder. The seeds are eaten as whole grains, sprouts, or split pulses (dal), while the crop residues are utilized as high-protein fodder for livestock. It is a key source of income for smallholder farmers in dry areas due to its low input needs and market demand in traditional diets and herbal medicine sectors.

Medicinally, horse gram has been valued in traditional Ayurvedic and Siddha medicine for centuries. It is considered a “heating” food and is used to treat conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, kidney stones, jaundice, and diabetes. The crop’s hypoglycemic and cholesterol-lowering properties make it beneficial for managing blood sugar and lipid levels. It also promotes digestion and detoxification due to its diuretic and antioxidant characteristics. Modern scientific studies have confirmed some of these properties, increasing their appeal in the nutraceutical and functional food markets.

Cultural Importance

Horse gram has deep cultural roots in South and Southeast Asia, where it is part of the traditional food systems of rural communities. In India, it is a staple ingredient in several regional cuisines—used in soups, curries, and chutneys such as kulith dal or kollu rasam. In the Himalayan regions of Nepal and Uttarakhand, horse gram soup is eaten during winter for warmth and nutrition. The crop also holds ritual significance in some communities, where it is offered in religious ceremonies or used in post-harvest feasts.

In many drought-prone areas, horse gram reflects resilience and self-reliance. Its cultivation often connects with local ecological knowledge and sustainable farming, as farmers appreciate its ability to improve soil and grow in poor lands. The crop also acts as a vital emergency food during shortages, emphasizing its cultural and practical importance.

Gender Perspectives

Women play a crucial role in the production, processing, and marketing of horse gram. In smallholder farming systems, women are often responsible for seed selection, sowing, weeding, and post-harvest tasks like drying, cleaning, and milling. Their traditional knowledge helps preserve local landraces that have desirable traits such as drought tolerance and flavor.

However, gender disparities still exist in access to agricultural inputs, improved seeds, credit, and extension services. Women farmers often depend on indigenous practices and local seed systems but are underrepresented in formal breeding programs and decision-making roles. Promoting gender equity in horse gram production through women-focused training, capacity building, and cooperative marketing could boost both productivity and household nutrition. Recognizing women’s roles as custodians of crop diversity and traditional knowledge is essential for sustaining horse gram cultivation and use.

Why is the Crop Underutilized?

Despite its adaptability and nutritional benefits, horse gram remains an underutilized crop. Several factors play a role in this. First, the crop faces a perception issue—it is often seen as a “poor man’s pulse” or a low-status food compared to lentils or chickpeas. This view limits its acceptance in urban and commercial markets.

Second, horse gram’s tough seed coat and high levels of anti-nutritional factors such as phytic acid and tannins lower digestibility and cooking quality, which discourages widespread consumption. Limited investment in processing technologies and value-added products further restricts its market potential.

Additionally, research and development efforts on horse gram have traditionally lagged behind those of major legumes, leading to fewer improved varieties and limited extension support. The absence of organized marketing systems and policy incentives also deters farmers from expanding its cultivation. 

Diversity Available in Genesys

As of December 2025, Genesys, the online platform that provides information on plant genetic resources conserved in genebanks, lists 284 M. uniflorum samples. The largest holdings are located at:

• World Vegetable Center in Taiwan – 54 samples.
• Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute in Ghana – 52 samples.
• Australian Pastures Genebank in Australia – 47 samples.

Current Breeding Efforts

Current breeding efforts on horse gram aim to enhance yield, disease resistance, and nutritional quality. The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have collected and conserved diverse germplasm to support breeding programs. Research institutions such as the University of Agricultural Sciences (Bengaluru) and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University have developed improved varieties with higher yields and greater adaptability to various agroecological zones.

Breeding objectives include developing varieties resistant to major diseases like leaf spot and anthracnose, enhancing drought tolerance, and reducing anti-nutritional compounds. Molecular breeding and marker-assisted selection are being introduced to accelerate genetic improvement. Some recent varieties, such as ‘PHG-9’ and ‘CRIDA-1-18R,’ demonstrate improved yield stability and stress resistance.

Participatory breeding approaches that involve farmers, especially women, are being promoted to ensure that new varieties meet local preferences for taste, cooking time, and food quality. With growing interest in climate-smart and high-protein crops, horse gram has strong potential to become more prominent in sustainable agriculture, nutrition security, and health-focused food industries.