About Dolichos Seeds

Dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus), known across India as avarai, sem, mochai, chikkudu or field bean, is a hardy, popular legume grown for its flat, fleshy green pods and protein-rich seeds. It is a staple vegetable in South Indian and many regional cuisines, valued for the fresh pods eaten as a vegetable and the dried beans used as a pulse. Well suited to Indian conditions, dolichos is drought-tolerant, thrives in warm weather and grows across a wide range of soils, making it a reliable and low-risk crop for farmers, kitchen gardens and backyard trellises alike.

Dolichos seeds are available in bush (bushy, non-trailing) and vine/pole (trailing, climbing) types, across open-pollinated and hybrid varieties, in green and silver-green pod colours. Bush types are quick and easy to manage in the open field, while vine types are trained on trellises and pandals for a long, continuous harvest and are ideal for backyards and terraces. As a legume, dolichos fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, improving fertility for the next crop and making it an excellent rotation and intercrop choice. Choosing the right type — bush vs vine, and the pod colour and season your market prefers — is key to good returns.

Top Featured Dolichos Seed Brands and Products

Sarpan Hybrid Seeds: SFB 42 Vine Hybrid, All Season Hybrid Dolichos, Sarpan-16, Dolichos-27 Bush, Dolichos-4 Hybrid
Iris (RS Enterprises): Iris Hybrid Dolichos Beans (All Season, Balcony Friendly)
Ashoka: Dolicus Bobby Beans (Broad Green Pods)
Sattva: Vachan Sem-7 Dolichus (Green)

Why should farmers choose dolichos seeds?

Dolichos is a hardy, drought-tolerant legume that performs well across a wide range of soils and warm climates, making it a dependable, low-input crop. It has steady demand in South Indian and regional vegetable markets for both fresh pods and dried beans, giving farmers more than one way to sell. As a nitrogen-fixing legume, it enriches the soil and benefits the following crop, cutting fertilizer costs. Vine types trained on pandals give a long, continuous harvest, while bush types are quick and easy to manage — and both suit commercial fields, backyards and terrace gardens.

How to Choose the Right Dolichos Seed?

Choose dolichos seeds first by growth habit: bush types for quick, easy open-field cultivation, or vine/pole types for a long harvest on trellises and pandals. Check pod colour and shape (green vs silver-green, broad vs long), days to maturity, and whether you're growing for fresh pods or dried beans. All-season hybrids give flexibility across sowing dates, while local favourites suit specific regional markets. Match pack size to your scale — small packs for kitchen gardens, larger packs for commercial planting.

Dolichos Seed Sowing Tips

Use good-quality seeds and treat them with Rhizobium biofertilizer for better nodulation and nitrogen fixation.
Sow seeds directly in the field by dibbling — dolichos are not transplanted.
Sow in warm weather in well-drained soil rich in organic matter; the crop is sensitive to waterlogging.
For vine types, provide sturdy trellis, pandal or stake support for climbing and clean pods.
Maintain moderate, consistent soil moisture, avoiding standing water.
Being drought-tolerant, dolichos need less irrigation than many vegetables once established.
Watch for pod borer and aphids and harvest pods while tender and fleshy for the best market price.

Why Buy Dolichos Seeds from BigHaat?

BigHaat is a trusted online agri-input platform where farmers can buy dolichos (avarai / sem / field bean) seeds online from leading brands including Sarpan, Iris, Ashoka and Sattva. Choose from bush and vine types across open-pollinated and hybrid varieties based on your season, climate, pod type, yield potential and market requirements. BigHaat offers 100% original and genuine seeds from leading manufacturers at competitive prices, along with attractive offers, doorstep delivery and Cash on Delivery, making it convenient for farmers across India to purchase quality products.