Climate

• Optimum temperature: 25-30oC for the development while below 20oC retards it.
• When soil temperature is <18oC, emergence is low and slow.
• Above 54 ⁰C, soil temperature kills the embryo.
• At 27-28 ⁰C, highest seedling growth reported.
• Frost kills the plant in any stage.
• Temperature influences the rate of flowering, length of period between initiation and opening of first flower and pollen viability and the ratio of fertilized flowers.
• High temperature causes early flowering.
• Moderate temperature of 24-27 ⁰C: maximum flowering, high pollen viability.
• Below 20 ⁰C, negative effect on flowering and rate of fertilized flowers.
• During maximum pod growth, optimum temperature is 30-34 ⁰
• Cloudy weather during flowering period reduces the number of flowers.
• Can resist drought and flooding up to 7 days provided the water quickly drains out.
• Continuous rainfall causes excessive vegetative growth resulting lower yield.
• Can’t withstand water logging due to its effect on nodulation.