Agricultural Operations (Month-wise)

The following vegetables are grown in the respective months as given below:

Month	Crops
January	French Bean, Capsicum, Radish, Spinach, Brinjal, Summer squash
February	French Bean, Capsicum, Cucumber, Cowpea, Bitter gourd, Bottle gourd, Ridge gourd, Apple gourd, Custard apple, Muskmelon, Watermelon, Spinach, Cauliflower, Brinjal, Ladyfinger, Arabi, Asparagus, Cluster bean
March	Cluster bean, Cucumber, Cowpea, Bitter gourd, Bottle gourd, Ridge gourd, Apple gourd, Custard apple, Muskmelon, Watermelon, Spinach, Ladyfinger, Arabi
April	Amaranthus, Radish
May	Cauliflower, Brinjal, Onion, Radish, Chilly
June	Cauliflower, Cucumber, Cowpea, Bitter gourd, Bottle gourd, Ridge gourd, Apple gourd, Beans, Ladyfinger, Tomato, Onion, Amaranthus, Cluster bean
July	Cucumber, Cowpea, Bitter gourd, Bottle gourd, Ridge gourd, Apple gourd, Beans, Ladyfinger, Tomato, Cluster bean, Radish, Amaranthus
August	Carrot, Turnip, Cauliflower, Bean, Tomato, Black mustard seed, Spinach, Coriander, Brussels sprout, Amaranthus
September	Carrot, Turnip, Cauliflower, Potato, Tomato, Black mustard seed, Radish, Spinach, Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Coriander, Fenigreek seeds, Salad, Broccoli
October	Carrot, Turnip, Cauliflower, Potato, Tomato, Black mustard seed, Radish, Spinach, Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Fenigreek seeds, French bean, Peas, Broccoli, Salad, Brinjal, Green Onion, Brussels sprout, Garlic
November	Beet root, Turnip, Cauliflower, Tomato, Black mustard seed, Radish, Spinach, Cabbage, Capsicum, Garlic, Onion, Peas, Coriander
December	Tomato, Black mustard seed, Radish, Spinach, Cabbage, Salad, Brinjal, Onion

Okra or bhindi -CULTIVATION

Okra or bhindi The okra(Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench), belongs to the family Malvaceae. It is cultivated throughout India for its immature fruits. Its varieties are : 'Pusa Sawani', 'Pusa Makhmali', 'Perkin's Long Green' (for hills only), etc.

CULTIVATION
Bhindi plant prefers a long warm season. The plant is tender and cannot tolerate cold at any stage of growth. Low temperature true in the early spring results in poor germination of seed. Bhindi seed does not germinate at 20⁰C or below. The best germination takes place between 24⁰C nad 30⁰C.

Soil and Soil Preparation
Bhindi can be grown on all kinds of soil except light sandy soil. Well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter is, however, preferred. Presence of sufficient amount of organic matter improves the nutrient status, soil structure and water holding capacity. Operations for the preparations of land for bhindi sowing would depend upon the condition of the plot. If the plot was under crop which left behind stubbles and the organic material, it has to be ploughed or disced before cultivator is used. In such land normally the disc should be used twice and the tiller three or four times. Two to three plankings would give the desirable structure of the soil. However, if the land was under a crop as potato, one disc operation followed by 3-4 times cultivation would produce the desirable condition of the soil. However, the land has to be planked at least twice before the final sowing is taken up. Sowing is done by two methods :
1. Sowing on ridge
2. Flat sowing

1. Sowing on Ridges
This method is particularly important for the early crop sown in february. the field is divided into plots and within each ridges are made 45 cm apart. If possible these should be made running East-West. Seeds are dibbled 1 cm below the soil surface keeping a distance of 15 cm between hills. seed is dibbled on the top of the ridge or slightly on the side facing the sun. This is very important for early crop, as the side facing the sun attains a temperature several degrees haigher than that on the other side. This high temperature affects the seed germination favourably. Ridge sowing for early crop has another advantage. Seeds take many days to germinate and often an irrigation is required to keep up the right moisture content in the soil. In this case pre-emergence irrigation does not lead to crust formation as water is not allowed to run over the ridges.

2. Flat Sowing 
This method is used for the later crop when the days are quite warm. Sowing is done in rows 45 cm apart, which have been previously drilled with fertilizers. Single row cotton drill can also be used efficiently for flat sowing. This method is quite popular with bhindi seed growers. The advantage of this method over ridge sowing is that it is less labour consuming. Bhindi seed has a hard seed coat. In order to get good germination it is always advisable to soak the seed overnight before sowing. For early crop the soaked seeds may be kept covered at some warm place for sometime so that germination initiates there and slightly sprouted seeds can then be planted in the field.

Sowing Time
Bhindi is soen twice a year in the plains for green pods. For early crop the seed is sown from February to April and for late crop in June-July. For seed production the second crop is most suited. It is not only gives higher yield but seed is also of good quality and also provides an opportunity for roguing of the virus susceptible plants. During dry weather virus does not develop and the undesirable plants are not detectible. Period commencing from last week of June to first week of July has been found to be the best. In case the seed crop is sown in May or early June then the main fruiting period coincides with mansoon rains. Water gets entry into the ripe dehisced fruits and spoils the seed within the pods.

Seed Rate
Temperature has pronounced effect on germination of bhindi and consequently the quantity of seed used to obtain a reasonable crop stand depends on the prevailing temperature. To start with early in the season the seed requirement is as high as 15-18 kg per acre and it goes down to 8-10 kg in March. For the second sowing i.e. june-July 5-6 kg seed is sufficiently for one acre. Seeds older than two years lose their germination and should be avoided.

Manures and Fertilizers
Fifteen to twenty tons of well rotton farmyard manure or compost should be applied in an acre of land. The quantity should be increased on poor and light soils. Addition of farmyard manure is particularly important for the early sown crop. Farmyard manure raises the soil temperature which helps the seed germination. Farmyard manure should be applied while preparing the seedbed so that it gets well mixed up in the soil.
Farmyard manure should also be supplemented with chemical fertilizers. The quantity of the fertilizer required should preferably be ascertained from the condition of the crop rather than strictlyadhering the recommendations. Pale yellow colour of leaves and stuned growth is an indication of the nitrogen deficiency in the soil. On an average 144 kg per acre of calcium ammonium nitrate or 80 kg of urea should be applied. In seasons of excessive rainfall an addition does of nitrogen may be benificial. Deficiency of nitrogen results in poor plant growth and consequently low fruit yield, small sized fruits, and loss of tenderness of the fruit.
Bhindi usually does not respond to the application of potash. However, on soils where the nutrient status is low, potassium sulphate at the rate of 50 kg per acre may be applied before sowing. application of potash to seed-crop results in plump seeds.

Irrigation
First irrigation in case of ridge sowing should be given immediately after sowing. Care should be taken not to allow the ater to overflow the ridges. In case of flat sowing first irrigation should preferably be given only after the seedings have come up. Subsequently irrigations should be given after every four to five days in the hot season or every 10-14 days in moderate season. On loose sandy type of soils frequency of irrigation should be increased.

Hoeing and Weeding
In order to keep the weeds under control and to maintain desirable soil structure, three to four hoeings should be given. First hoeing may be given when the seedings are two week old and subsequent hoeings may be repeated at fortnightly intervals. Hand hoe can be used efficiently and economically for this purpose. Second crop, i.e. sown should be earth up to avoid the damage from water stagnation.
Weeds can also be kept under check by the use of herbicide Basalin, sprayed @ 800-1000 ml per acre as pre-plant application four days before sowing. The herbicide should be incorporated in the soil by harrowing, Another weedicide Lasso can also be used @ 2 litre per acre as pre-emergence spray one day after sowing or stomp one litre per acre or 750 ml acre+one hoeing as pre-emergence spray are recommended. One hoeing may be necessary after 60 days if the intensity of weeds is high.

Harvesting and Marketing
The fruits attain marketable size when the plants are 45-50 days old, depending upon the temperature. It takes ficve to seven days to form an edible fruit after the opening of the flower. The fruits should not be allowed to over grow to give a fibrous appearance because overgrown fruits are not liked by the consumer. Only tender fruits should picked for better returns. Leaving fruits on the plants for a longer period not only impairs the quality of the fruit but also reduces the rate of apical growth and thus ultimately reflects upon the fruit bearing capacity of the plant. Therefore, frequent picking of fruits is desirable. Picking should be done early in the morning because fruits make a lot of growth during night. If at all fruits are to be picked in the evening it should be in the late hours.
Water should be sprinkled on the harvested fruits to keep them fresh. Harvested fruits kept at room temperature deteriorate in quality as vitamin C is lost rapidly. Fruits should be graded keeping in view the size, shape and colour and packed in basket or wooden crates for disposal in the market. Fruits should not be carried in gunny bags as this will lead to brusising of fruits which spoils their look. small, tender, green fresh and unbruised fruits fetch a premium in market. A yield of 4500-5500 kg of green edible fruits can be obtained from an acre of land. Okra fruits are not suitable for cold storage for a long time. However, the fruits can be kept in storage at 5⁰0 to 10 ⁰C and relative humidity 85 to 90 percent for about 10 days.

VARIETIES
There are four varieties which are recommended for cultivation.
Punjab-8 :
The plants of punjab-8 are medium tall with splashes of purple pigmentation present on the stem. Leaves are deeply lobed and less serrated. Leaves, stem and petiolesare less hairy. Fruits are thin, long dark green and five ridged. It has got a high degree of resistance to yellow-veins-mosaic virus and tolerance to jassid and borer. It is suitable for processing. Average market yield is 55 q/acre.
Punjab-7 :
This is the latest variety of bhindi developed at Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana possessing better resistance to yellow vien mosaic virus thanthen any other variety in the country. Plants are medium tall and green. Leaves are deeply lobed and hairy. The purple hue may or may not be evident on stem and petiol but characteristically evident at eh base of leaf lamina. Fruits are long, five ridge and green with a pale green colour at the fruit base. It takes 50-55 days from sowing to fruiting. Average yield is about 45 q per acre.
Punjab Padmini :
Plants are tall and green with mils purple tinge on the stems and leaf petioles. Leaves are dark green, deeply lobed and hairy. fruits are quick growing, dark green smooth, thin, long, five ridged and retentive of tenderness. Fruiting starts after 55-60 days after sowing in the spring crop. It has field resistance to yellow vein mosaic virus. Average yield is 45 q per acre.
Pusa Sawani : This is an old variety of bhindi and has a wide popularity all over the country. It has been developed by I.A.R.I., New delhi, and used to show field resistance to yellow vein mosaic. Previously it was recommended as a rainy season variety but now it is recommended for spring crop. Fruits are five ribbed, dark-green in colour and free from bristles.

PESTS AND DISEASES
Pests 1. Spotted Boll Worm : The larvae of this moth attack the shoots of plant by boring into it. It also bores into the fruits which are rendered unfit for human consumption.
2. Jassid : The adults and nymphs of this insect feed on the palnts by sucking the sap. Leaves turn pale and curl upwards. The cupping may be followed by drying of leaves from the margins giving a characteristic sympton known as hopper burn. Both spotted boll-worm and jassid attack the crop from May to September.
Control :
For controlling both these pests spray at fortnightly intervals with 500 ml Malathion 50 EC in 100-125 litres of water per acre. As soon as fruiting starts, spray 500 g of carbrayl 50 W.P. or 350 ml Thiodan 35 EC or 100 ml of Sumicidin 20 EC (fenvalerate) or 80 ml of Cymbush 25 EC (Cypermethrin) in 100-125 L of water per acre. Picking of fruits should be done before spraying. Borer infested fruits if any, should be removed regularly and buried deep.
3. Spider Mite :
The plants are considerably damaged and weakened tha adults and nymphs suck the plant sap. In severe cases the leaves dry up and fall off.
Control : The crop should be sprayed with 250 ml of Metasystox 25 EC or Rogor 30 EC in 125 litres of water.

DISEASES
1.Wilt : The growth of the plant becomes stunted and the leaves give the appearance of yellow and wilted growth. The stem turns dark, close to the soil surface and finally the entire plant wilts.
Control : Bhindi should not be rotated with crops like tomato, eggplant and chillies. It should not be grown in the infested field for three years. Use seed from healthy plants only. Treat the seed with 3 g of Captain or Thiram per kg seed before sowing.

2. Yellow vien Mosaic : During rainy season, it is a very serious disease. Due to clearing of veins, leaves look chlorotic. There is a yellow and mosaic pattern. Fruit production is adversely affected. Fruits become yellow and lose acceptibility.
Control : Bhindi varieties with narrow leaves should be planted instead of varieties with broad leaves. Disease resistant varieties like Panjab-7 and Panjab Padmini should be sown. The insects such as white flies, responsible for the spread of this disease, should be controlled. Spray 560 ml of Malathion 50 EC in 350 litre of water per acre for the control of vector.

Banana-FRUIT CROPS

Banana.   Banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) occupies over 1,64,000 hectares, mainly in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. Though some inferior types of banana are found growing as far north as the Himalayas, its commercial importance is mainly limited to the more tropical conditions, such as those prevailing in central, southern and north-eastern India. It is a moisture- and heat-loving plant and cannot tolerate frost or arid conditions.

VARIETIES.   Cultivated varieties are broadly divided into two groups : table and culinary. Among the former are 'Poovan' in Madras (also known as 'Karpura Chakkarekeli' in Andhra Pradesh); 'Mortaman', 'Champa' and 'Amrit Sagar' in West Bengal; 'Basrai', Safed Velchi', Lal Velchi' and 'Rajeli' in Maharashtra; 'Champa' and 'Mortaman' in Assam and Orissa; and 'Rastali', 'Sirumalai', 'Chakkarekeli', 'Ney Poovan', 'Kadali' and 'Pacha Nadan' in southern India. 'Basrai', which is known under different names, viz. 'Mauritius', 'Vamankeli', 'Cavendish', 'Governor', 'Harichal', is also grown in central and southern India. Recently, the 'Robusta' variety is gaining popularity in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The 'Virupakshi' variety (Hill banana) is the most predominant variety in the Palni Hills of Tamil Nadu. Among the culinary varieties, Nendran bananas, 'Monthan', 'Myndoli' and 'Pacha Montha Bathis' are the leading commercial varieties in southern India. 'Gros Michel' is a recent introduction into southern India; it is suitable for cultivation only under garden-land conditions and is generally fastidious in its cultural requirements. It is not, therefore, in favour with the cultivation.

PROPAGATION AND PLANTING.   Propogation is by suckers or off-shoots which spring at the base of a banana-tree from underground rhizomes. Vigorous suckers, with stout base, tapering towards the top and possessing narrow leaves, are selected for plant. Each sucker should have a piece of underground stem with a few roots attached to it.

Banana suckers can be planted throughout the year in southern India, except during summer, whereas in the rest of the country, the rainy season is preferred. They are planted in small pits, each just enough to accommodate the base of a sucker. The planting-distance varies from 2m X 2m in the case of dwarf varieties to 4m X 4m in the case of very tall varieties.

MANURING.   An application of 20 to 25 kg of farmyard manure, together with about 5 kg of wood-ashes per plant is given at planting time. In southern India, ammonium sulphate is applied one month, five months and nine months after planting 20 kg per hectare each time. In western India, a little over 2 kg of oilcake per stool is applied during the first three months after planting. A completefertilizer mixture may be applied to supply 100 to 200 kg of N, 100 to 200 kg of P₂O₅ and 200 to 400 kg of K₂O per hectare. A green-manure crop is also considered beneficial. Trials at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research have shown that for the 'Robusta' variety, a fertilizer mixture comprising 180 g of N + 108 g of P₂O₅ + 225 g of K₂O per plant is ideal.

AFTER-CARE.   The removal of suckers, dry leaves and pseudostems, from which the fruits have been harvested, constitute the main after-care. Daughter-suckers should be removed promptly until the mother-plant flowers, when one daughter-sucker may be allowed to take its place. The removal of dry leaves and useless pseudostems requires to be done in time. After all the fruits are formed, the pendant portion of the remaining inflorescence along with the heart should be removed.

The propping of plants with bamboo poles, especially those which have thrown out bunches, is necessary wherever damage by wind is apprehended. Where the wind damage is recurring, dwarf varieties should be preferred.

IRRIGATION.   The banana-plants require very heavy irrigation. Irrigation is given in most places once in seven to ten days. Stagnation of water in the soils is not very congenial to the proper growth of banana and, hence, the drainage of soil is also essential.

HARVESTING.   Early varieties commence flowering in southern and western India about seven months after planting, and the fruits take about three months more to ripen. In the Andhra Pradesh delta areas, the fruits are ready for harvesting about seven to eight months after planting. The firstcrop of the 'Poovan' variety matures in 12 to 14 months and the second in 21 to 24 months afterplanting. In other parts of India, the first crop is usually gathered a year after planting, whereas the succeeding crop may be ready in six to ten months thereafter.

The bunch is harvested just before it attains the ripening stage. When the fruits have reached the full size, they become plump, and mature with a distinct change in colour. For long transport, the bunch may be harvested somewhat earlier. The bunch is cut, retaining about 15 cm of the stem above the first hand. The yield varies considerably from 26,000 to 55,000 kg per hectare.

CURING AND MARKETING.   The ripening of banana is done in several ways, e.g. exposing the bunches to the sun, placing them over a hearth, wrapping them in closed godowns or smoking them in various ways. One of the common ways is to heap the fruits in a room and cover them with leaves, after which fire is lit in a corner and the room is closed and made as air-tight as possible. Ripening takes place usually in 30 to 48 hours. In a cool store, the bunches ripen well at about 15^o to 20^oC. The application of vaseline, a layer of clay or coal-tar to the cut-ends of the stalks prevents rotting during ripening and storage.

Wrapping up the fruits and packing them in crates help to reduce the damage during transport.

PILLIPESARA (Phaseolus trilobus)

Dual purpose crop yielding good fodder and green manure
Herbaceous creeper grows into a short dense cover crop if sown thick. Does not produce a bulky yield, it is capable of being cut twice or thrice before being ploughed into the field

Season:
Grown in all seasons
March – April month is best for seeds production

Soil:     Rice fallow clay soils are suitable

Seed rate:
10-15 kg/ha for green manure
Seed purpose 10 kg/ha

Spacing:
Broadcasted
For seed purpose adopt 30 x 10 cm

Irrigation:      Once in 25-30 days

Harvest:
Incorporate the green mater within 60 DAS & for seed collect the seeds from 150 DAS

Yield:  Green biomass – 6-7 t/ha
Seed – 400 - 500 kg/ha

SUNNHEMP (Crotalaria juncea)

1. Quick growing green manure -cum-fibre crop
2. Does not withstand heavy irrigation or continuous water logging

Season: 
Grown in all seasons,
Sowing during March – April is best for seeds production

Soil:
Loamy soils are suitable

Seed rate:
25-35 kg/ha for green manure
Seed purpose: 20 kg/ha

Seed treatment:
Mix seeds with specific rhizobium strain @ 5 pkts /ha

Spacing:
Broadcasted or 30x10cm
For seed purpose adopt 45 x 20 cm

Irrigation:
Once in 30 days

Harvest:
Incorporate the green mater within 45-60 DAS
For seed purpose:  Collect the seeds from 150 DAS

Yield:
Green biomass – 13-15 t/ha,
Seed – 400 kg/ha

DHAINCHA (Sesbania aculeata) green manure crop

Season: 

Grown in all seasons when sufficient moisture is available
Sowing during March – April is best for seed production

Soil:
Grown in all soil conditions

Seed rate:
Green manure: 50 kg/ha
Seed purpose 20 kg/ha

Seed treatment
Mix seeds with specific rhizobium strain @ 5 pkts /ha

Spacing:
Broadcasted,
For seed purpose adopt 45 x 20 cm

Irrigation:
Once in 15 – 20 days

Harvest:
Incorporate the green matter within 45-60 DAS & collect seeds from 100 DAS

Yield

Green biomass – 25 t/ha
Seed – 500-600 kg/ha

seed rate of Dhaincha(green manure crop)

Dhaincha is a quick growing succulent green manure crop, which can be incorporated at about 8 to 10 weeks after sowing when the crop is at flowering stage. This crop adapts to varying conditions of soil and climate. It can be grown even under adverse conditions of drought, waterlogging, salinity etc.

Recommended seed rate is 20 to 25 kg per ha. The green matter yield is 10-20 tonnes per ha. Quantity of nitrogen fixed
is 75 to 80 kg per ha. Decomposition of crop depends upon the rainfall after the burring of crop and Depth of burring. It is recommended to burry the crop deeper in light soil than in heavy soil.

Rice + Green manure Intercropping Technology

             Rice, unlike crops like maize, has not attained commercial crop status so far.  Bringing down its cost of cultivation may give more relief to the farmers enhancing the margin of profit.  Direct seeding is a way to cut down the cost of cultivation sizably.

        Like other crops, rice also receives poor/limited attention in organic manuring.  This is also taken cure of in this technology.

         Rice and greenmanure (dhaincha) are sown onto puddle soil in alternate rows using the newly developed rice + greenmanure seeder.  Depending upon the size of the seeder, 6 to 8 rows are sown.  Rice to rice row spacing is 25 cm with dhaincha in between.  The dhaincha is incorporated when it attains 40 cm height.  To attain this height, it may take 27 to 30 or even a little over 30 days.  The height is crucial as further growth may harm the associate rice upon incorporation due to higher biomass and relatively more woodiness. 

          Unlike transplanted rice, here the N in split into 4 doses and applied equally on 20 DAS, at incorporation of green manure, 50 and 70 DAS.  Phosphorus and potash are applied basally.  The green manure at 40 cm height is incorporated using conoweeder, which buries the weeds and green manure simultaneously.

         This technology is not recommended during rainy season as falling raindrops may disperse the rice and green manure seed.  Care on leveling is required.  The seed rate: Rice: 90 kg ha^-1 and dhaincha 40 � 45 kg ha^-1_.  The grain yield is comparable with transplanted rice with basal incorporation of green manure at 6.25 t ha^-1.  Avoidance of separate cultivation of green manure, rice nursery and of transplanting is the key benefit bringing down the cost of cultivation by 2500 to Rs.3000 ha^-1 depending upon the local wages, soil type etc.