Package of Practices for Cultivation of Vegetables 2021 PDF

PACKAGE OF PRACTICES FOR CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES Compiled and Edited by Dr. Surinder Kumar Thind Incharge Plant Clinic Compiled under the guidance of Dr. Jaskarn Singh Mahal Director of Extension Education PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY...

PACKAGE OF PRACTICES FOR CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES Compiled and Edited by Dr. Surinder Kumar Thind Incharge Plant Clinic Compiled under the guidance of Dr. Jaskarn Singh Mahal Director of Extension Education PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY LUDHIANA  The Package of Practices for Cultivation of Vegetables- 2021 contains the latest recommendations and readily-usable information provided by the specialists of vegetable crops of PAU through the coordination of the Director of Research. These improved farming techniques for stepping up productivity of vegetables have been discussed and finalised in the ‘Research and Extension Specialists’ ‘Virtual Research & Extension Specilist’s Workshops on Horticultural Crops’ held on 7 January, 2021 (Winter) and 6 July, 2021 (Summer). It is purposely written in a simple and easy-to-understand language because these recommendations are intended for the use of field level extension workers and the farmers of Punjab. ISBN: 978-81-932778-8-1 Price per copy : Rs. 50.00 All matter published in this package is copyright. No part of it should be reproduced without the prior permission of Publisher/Editor. Published by Additional Director of Communication for Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. [email protected] (July, 2021)  ContentS 1. Vegetables.... 1 2. Muskmelon (Kharbuza).... 3 3. Watermelon (Tarbooz).... 8 4. Summer squash (Chappan Kadoo).... 10 5. Pumpkin (Halva Kadoo).... 12 6. Bottle gourd (Ghia Kadoo).... 14 7. Bitter gourd (Karela).... 16 8. Sponge gourd (Kali Tori).... 18 9. Ash gourd (Petha).... 20 10. Cucumber (Kheera).... 21 11. Long melon (Tar).... 23 12. Round gourd (Tinda).... 25 13. Wanga.... 28 14. Tomato (Tamatar).... 33 15. Brinjal (Baingan).... 42 16. Chilli (Mirch).... 50 17. Sweet pepper (Shimla Mirch).... 57 18. Okra (Bhindi).... 60 19. Cowpea (Harwian).... 65 20. Onion (Piaz).... 68 21. Garlic (Lashan).... 75 22. Pea (Mattar).... 77 23. Carrot.... 83 24. Cauliflower (Phulgobhi).... 86 25. Cabbage (Bandgobhi).... 88 26. Broccoli.... 89 27. Chinese Cabbage (Chinigobhi).... 91 28. Radish and Turnip.... 93 29. Palak.... 101 30. Lettuce (Salad).... 103 31. Coriander (Dhania).... 104 32. Kasuri Methi.... 106 33. Potato (Aloo).... 107 34. Arum (Arvi).... 118 35. Turmeric (Haldi).... 120 36. Sweet potato (Shakarkandi).... 123 37. Hybrid Seed Production.... 126 38. Protected Cultivation.... 129 39. Cultivation of Vegetables in Net/Polyhouse.... 133 40. Low Tunnel Cultivation of Vegetables.... 147 41. Vegetable Nutrition Garden.... 149 42. Multiple Cropping.... 152 43. Organic Farming of Vegetables.... 153 44. Bee Keeping.... 157 45. Management of Rodents and Birds.... 165 46. Domestic Solar Dryer.... 170 47. Vertical Cup Type Vegetable Transplanter for Cell Feed Nursery.... 171 48. Manually Operated Garlic Planter.... 172 49. Carrot Sowing Machine.... 173 50. Tractor Drawn Bed Former-cum-plastic Mulching Machine 174 51. Vegetable Digger for Mechanical Digging of.. 175 Onion, Garlic, Carrot and Potato 52. Horticultural Produce Washing Machine.... 176 53. Seed Extraction.... 177 54. Evaporatively Cooled Store.... 179 Appendix I to VII.. 180-196 I. Botanical Names of Vegetables.... 180 II. Waiting Periods of Different Pesticides in.... 182 Vegetables and Fruit crops III. Fertilizer Sources for the Supply of.... 183 Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium IV. General Recommendations Regarding.... 185 Safe Use of Pesticides V. Pesticides Antitodes for Human Beings.... 191 VI. Performa for Referring Sample to Plant.... 195 Clinic, PAU, Ludhiana for Diagnosis of Disorders VII. Important Telephone Numbers of Punjab.... 196 Agricultural University, Ludhiana for the Convenience of the Farmes IMPORTANT NOTICE The information on the performance of recommendations given in this book holds good only when used under optimum conditions. Their performance may either change in due course of time due to several factors or can vary under different systems of management. Mishandling/negligence of the user can also result in damage/loss/non- reproducibility of results. The Punjab Agricultural University accepts no legal responsibilities.  CAUTION Chemicals used to control insects, diseases and weeds are poisons for human beings. Farmers are cautioned to use these poisons carefully to avoid any effect on human health. For safe use of these chemicals see Appendix III given at the end of this book. Note : 1. For proper presentation of information on pesticides, fungicides, etc., it is sometimes necessary to use the trade name of the product or equipment. No endorsement of the named product or equipment is intended nor criticism implied of a similar product or equipment not mentioned in this book. 2. Volume of spray material to be used for controlling different insects and diseases of various crops is based on the usage of shoulder-mounted knapsack sprayer having “fixed type hollow cone nozzle.” Spray volume may vary when other types of sprayers/nozzles are used for this purpose. 3. It should, however, be ensured that the actual amount of insecticides recommended in the “Package of Practices” should not be reduced. For proper control of weeds, it is always necessary to use flood jet or flat fan spray nozzles. 4. The use of endosulfan 35 EC is not recommended till the decision of Hon’ble Apex Court.  NEW RECOMMENDATIONS VEGETABLES VARIETY Chilli CH-52 (2021): It is a hybrid between MS-13A x IS-261 and suitable under low tunnel cultivation. The plants are dark green, spreading and tall. First picking is possible 112 days after transplanting. The fruits are long, thin skinned, pendent, borne singly, deep green in colour when immature and deep red on maturity. The fruits are pungent (0.9% capsaicin) and high in dry matter (25%). The hybrid is moderately resistant to leaf curl virus, fruit rot and root knot nematodes. It gives average yield of 255q/ha. PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY Cultivation of tomato in soil less medium under protected condition: Tomato hybrids; NS 4266, Himshekhar and Punjab Sartaj can be grow in soilless medium under protected condition. Cultivation of cucumber in soilless media under naturally ventilated polyhouse: Parthenocarpic cucumber cultivars (hybrid Multistar or Kafka and PAU variety Punjab Kheera 1) are recommended for growing in soilless media under naturally ventilated polyhouse. PLANT PROTECTION Control of whitefly in cucurbits: Spray 1200 ml of PAU Neem extract using 100 -125 litre water per acre. Management of cucumber root knot nematode in poly/net house : For the integrated management of nematode, apply 1 ton mustard cake + 1 ton Neem cake before 10 days of sowing of cucumber. Control of whitefly in brinjal: Spray 1200 ml of PAU Neem extract or 1500 ml Maize or Sorghum or Bajra juice or 200 gm Pegasus 50 WP (diafenthiuron) using 100-125 litre water per acre. After Pegasus spray, harvest the fruit by keeping one day waiting period.  Control of fruit borer in chilli: Spray 50 ml Coragen 18.5 SC (chlorantranoniliprole) or Tracer 45 SC (spinosad) in 100 litres of water per acre. Control of jassid and whitefly in okra: Apply 1-2 sprays of 80 ml commercial Neem based insecticide Ecotin (azadirachtin 5%) or 2000 ml PAU Neem extract in 100-125 litres of water per acre. Control of Spotted bollworms in okra: Spray 50 ml Coragen 18.5 SC (chlorantraniliprole) or 200 Sumipleo 10 EC (pyridalyl) in 100-125 litres of water per acre. Control of mite in okra: Spray 1600 ml PAU Dharek extract in 100 litres of water per acre. Control of Thrips in onion: Spray 30g Jump 80 WG (fipronil) or 250 ml Rogor 30 EC (dimethoate) in 100 litres of water per acre. POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY Preparation of Lacto-fermented turmeric beverage: The bioprocess was optimized by fermenting the blend of turmeric juice (turmeric juice 100 ml, ginger extract 1.5 ml, lemon juice 5.0 ml) water 1:3 and salt (condiment) @ 1.0% followed by pasteurization at 55ºC for 15 seconds with functional starter culture (Consortia of ten allochthonous lactic acid bacteria @ 5.0% (w/v) by incubating at 37ºC for 24 hrs. Preparation of Lacto-fermented beverage from turmeric powder: Use mixture of 4% of turmeric powder with ginger (1.5%) and lemon juice (5%), and initiating the fermentation with functional starter culture after pasteurization. Preparation of turmeric pickle: The bioprocess for the fermentation of turmeric pickle; dip the 1 inch aseptically chopped turmeric pieces in 5% brine solution followed by the addition of actively grown functional starter culture (Consortia of ten LAB strains @ 5% w/v) and fermenting till 48 hrs at 37°C in tightly stoppered sterilized glass jar.  1. VEGETABLES Introduction In Punjab state the vegetables are grown in an area of 3.06 lac hectares producing 61.09 lac tonnes with average productivity of 20.0 tonne per hectare. The area, production and yield of different vegetables during 2020-21 ie as under: Table : Area, yield and production of vegetable during 2020-21 Vegetable Area Av. Yield Production (000 ha) (q/ha) (000 t) Potato 107.09 275.34 2948.55 Pea 43.89 106.41 467.01 Root crops 28.07 249.27 699.61 Cucurbits 18.01 195.09 351.27 Cauliflower 22.98 196.12 450.60 Onion 10.35 238.27 246.52 Tomato 10.28 259.74 266.91 Chilli 8.78 20.09 17.63 Garlic 8.87 109.10 96.77 Cabbage 7.98 161.68 129.01 Muskmelon 7.01 194.87 136.62 Brinjal 5.47 225.72 139.79 Okra 5.31 103.44 54.88 Watermelon 2.19 180.84 38.30 Other vegetables 19.22 34.39 66.09 Total 305.5 6109.56 1  In the state, among vegetable crops, about half of the total area is covered under potato which is raised for fresh market and seed potato. The state has established itself as a seed producing state of potato. At present, production of vegetables is about 61.09 lac tonnes which does not include post harvest losses (20-40%), quantity procured and crop raised for seed production. It is estimated that per capita per day availability of vegetables in the state is less than 200 g. To feed the present population of the state, there is a need to double the total production of vegetables. Besides this, the state has to produce additionally to meet the requirement of the processing industry, exports and seed industry. Therefore, there is an immense scope of increasing area in the state. The vegetables are grown mostly in the vicinity of cities for commercial purpose. The supply of vegetables in the cities is uneven and uncertain which results into fluctuations in their prices. However, in the villages, the availability of vegetables is more disappointing than in the cities. On the contrary, the inclusion of vegetables in the daily diet is indispensable for the maintenance of good health. For the supply of fresh vegetables, the available area near and around the houses or near the tubewells at the farms can be utilized for growing vegetables. 2  2. MUSKMELON Climate and Soil Muskmelon plants flourish well under warm climate and cannot tolerate frost. The optimum temperature for germination of the seed is 27-30oC. With the increase in temperature, the plants complete their vegetative growth earlier. Stormy weather particularly dust storm during flowering reduces fruit setting. Dry weather with clear sunshine during ripening ensures a high sugar content, better flavour and a high percentage of marketable fruits. High humidity increases the incidence of diseases, particularly those affecting foliage. Cool nights and warm days are ideal for accumulation of sugars in the fruits. A well drained loamy soil is preferred. Lighter soils which warm up quickly in spring are usually utilized for early yields and in heavier soils, the vine growth more and fruit maturity is delayed. Sandy river beds with alluvial substrata and subterranean moisture of river streams support its growth. In fact, the long tap root system is adapted to growth of this crop in river beds. The soil should not crack in summer and water should not stagnate. It is necessary that soil should be fertile well provided with organic matter. Muskmelon is sensitive to acidic soils. It prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Alkaline soils with high salt concentration are also not suitable. Muskmelon is a warm season crop, but in the important muskmelon growing areas, it is sown during winter under proper protection against cold. It is also sown in February and March. Improved Hybrids/Varieties Hybrids MH-51 (2017) : Its vines are vigorous and dark green. Its fruits are round and netted with green sutures. Fruit flesh is thick, salmon orange, medium juicy and flavorsome with 12.2% TSS. Its average fruit weight is 890 g. It is an early maturing hybrid and can be harvested after 62 days of transplanting. Its average fruit yield is 89.0 q/acre. 3  MH - 27 (2015) : Its vines are vigorous and dark green. Fruit is round, light yellow, sutured and netted. Flesh is thick, salmon orange, medium juicy with 12.5 per cent TSS. The fruits develop ‘full slip’ stage. Its first picking is after 63 days of transplanting. Average fruit weight is 860 g. It is tolerant to wilt and root knot nematodes. The yield is 87.5q/acre. It has long shelf life and suitable for distant transportation. Punjab Hybrid (1981): Its vines are vigorous and dark green. The fruit setting takes place close to the base of the vine and it is early in maturity. The fruit is round, light yellow, sutured and netted. Flesh is thick, orange coloured, juicy and having excellent flavour with 12 per cent TSS. The fruits develop ‘full slip’ stage. Average fruit weight is 800g. It is moderately resistant to powdery mildew and resistant to fruit fly. The yield is about 65 q/acre. Varieties Punjab Sunehri (1974) : This variety has medium vine growth. The fruit weighs about 700-800g and is globular round with its rind intensely netted and light brown. It has thick orange flesh and is medium in juiciness. It is moderately sweet (TSS 11 per cent). The inside of the rind separating it from the orange flesh, is green. The fruits develop ‘full slip’ stage. The crop matures about 12 days earlier than Hara Madhu. This variety has good keeping quality. It is highly resistant to the attack of fruitfly. It yields about 65 q/acre. Hara Madhu (1967) : This variety is somewhat late in maturity. The fruit is large (average weight one kg.), round and slightly tapering towards the stalk end. It is very sweet (TSS 13 per cent). Its skin is light yellow with green sutures. For early marketing of Its flesh is thick, green and muskmelon, sow the nursery juicy. The seed cavity is in mid-January. small. The average yield is Transplant the nursery in about 50 q/acre. end of February to first week Agronomic Practices of March. Sowing Time : The mid Fruits are ready for early February is the best sowing marketing in 65 days. 4 time. However, if the crop is raised by providing a suitable mulch or any other type of cover during winter, premium of early market can be captured. Early planting under cover saves the crop from the attack of red pumpkin beetle also. Seed Rate : With careful planting on hills by dibbling, 400g of seed is sufficient for one acre. Method of Sowing : Prepare beds 4 metre wide for Hara Madhu and 3 metre for others. Sow two seeds per hill on both sides of beds at a distance of 60 cm between hills. Early crop raised from seedlings grown in polythene bags matures 15-20 days earlier than directly seeded crop. The polythene bags of 15cm×10cm size and 100-gauge thickness punched at the base should be filled with a mixture of soil and well-rotten farmyard manure in equal proportions or with soil, well-rotten farm yard manure and silt in equal proportions when soil is sandy. Five to six kg. bags are required to raise seedlings for an acre. The seed should be sown in the bags in the last week of January or in the first week of February. Seedlings should be protected from cold winds. The bags should be placed near the wall facing the sun. The seeds should not be sown deeper than 1.5 cm. After sowing, water should be applied daily in the afternoon, preferably with a sprinkling cane. Transplanting should be done by the end of February or by the first week of March when the seedlings are 25- 30 days old and have two true leaves. Two days before transplanting, stop watering the bags. At transplanting, a cut is given on the side of bag with a sharp knife and the bag is removed. The earthern ball should not be allowed to break and placed in the hill very carefully. Irrigation is applied immediately after transplanting. With this method, the fruits mature by 2nd or 3rd week of May. Manures and Fertilizers : Apply 10 to 15 tonnes of farmyard manure, 50 kg of N (110 kg of Urea), 25 kg of P205 (155 kg of Single Superphosphate) and 25 kg of K20, (40 kg of Muriate of Potash) per acre to the directly seeded crop. The farmyard manure should be added 10-15 days before sowing. Whole P2O5 and K2O alongwith one third of N should be applied in two parallel bands 45 cm apart and the channel should be prepared in between the 5 fertilizer bands, before the sowing of seeds. The remaining dose of N should be applied to the vines near the base (but not touching it) and should be mixed with the soil during the early part of the growing season to ensure the maximum growth, early fruit set and maturity. Under the transplanting technique, the row to row and the plant-to-plant distances are the same as in the above method. Locate the planting spots for the plants and dig 15-20 cm deep pits for receiving the plants. Fill each pit with a mixture of 1 kg of farmyard manure, 15g CAN or 7-8 g of Urea, 40g of Single Superphosphate and 10g of Muriate of Potash before planting. About a month after; apply another dose of 15g CAN or 7-8g of Urea to each plant. In this way 5-7 tonnes of farmyard manure, 20 to 30 kg N (45 to 65 kg. Urea), 20-25 kg. P205 (125 to 155 kg. Single Superphosphate) and 20-25 kg. K20 (30-40 kg. Muriate of Potash) is required per acre. Irrigation: During summer, irrigate the crop every week. At the time of fruit maturity, water should be given when it is absolutely necessary. The over-flooding of the field should be avoided. In no case, water should be allowed to come in contact with fruits. Depending upon soil type and weather conditions, irrigate the fields 9-11 times. Harvesting, Care and Marketing The fruits of Hara Madhu should be harvested when it turns yellow. Other varieties should be picked at mature green stage for distant marketing and at ‘half slip’ stage for local market. To avoid fruit-rot during development and maturity, turn the fruits, particularly after rain or flooding when the soil is wet. Place dry grass below the fruits or place the fruits on the vines themselves. Seed Production Land should be free from volunteer plants of the same crop or other crossable species. A seed crop field must be isolated all around to a minimum distance of 1000 metre and 500 metre for foundation and certified seed, respectively. A muskmelon seed field should be isolated from snapmelon (Phut), longmelon (Tar), wanga and wild melon (Chibber). Systematic and timely 6 field inspections at different stages of plant growth are essential to ensure the production of genetically pure seed. A minimum of three field inspections viz., during flowering, fruiting and finally at fruit maturity are required. In case of muskmelon, edible fruit should be examined for internal fruit characters and sweetness. Muskmelon fruit is ready for seed harvest at its peak of edibility. In most of the cultivars, a crack develops at the point of attachment of the fruit with the stem. The fruit gets easily detached from the vine. The muskmelon fruits are cut into half and the seed is scooped out of the fruit and placed in non-corrosive metalic trough, earthen pot, wooden barrel or plastic bag. The muskmelon seed is left for fermentation for a day or two. After the fermentation is completed, the seed mixture is washed with water to float off the placental debris or pass it through the wire-mesh to get clean seed. Fermented seed is superior in germination to mechanically cleaned seed or the seed separated immediately after fruit harvest. The seed should be dried properly before packing. 7  3. WATERMELON Climate and Soil It is a warm season crop mainly grown in tropical and subtropical regions. Generally, a long period of warm, preferebly dry weather with abundant sunshine is required. It is susceptible to frost. Excess humidity will promote the attack of diseases and insect-pests. For good quality and sweetness, dry weather during the fruit development is necessary. It requires tropical climate and fairly high temperature (35-400C) during fruit development. Cool nights and warm days are ideal for accumulation of sugars in the fruits. Maturity is hastened if nights are warm. The average temperature for growth should be around 30-350C with maximum around 400C and minimum between 20 and 250C. The optimum temperature range of 18-250C is required for germination. A well drained loamy soil is preferred. Light soils that warm quickly in spring are usually used for early maturity. In heavier soils, vine growth is high and fruits mature late. The soil in which it is grown should not crack in summer and water log in rainy season. It prefers a soil pH of 6.0-7.0. It is slightly more tolerant to medium salt concentrations. Improved Variety Sugar Baby (Before 1962) : This variety produces small to medium sized fruits with dark green skin. The flesh of the fruit is deep red and very sweet having 9-10 per cent TSS. It yields 72 q/ acre. Agronomic Practices Sowing Time : (i) Mid January to March ii) November to December (Under protection) Seed Rate : Use 1.5 Kg seed for small seeded varieties and 2.0 kg seed for large seeded varieties per acre. Spacing : Prepare 2.5-3.0 metre wide beds. Seeds should be sown on both sides of the beds at a distance of 60 cm between the plants. 8  Manures and Fertilizers : Apply 8-10 tonnes of farmyard manure along with 25 kg of N (55 kg. of Urea) 16 kg of P205 (100 kg of Single Superphosphate) and 15 kg of K20 (25 kg of Muriate of Potash) per acre in the same way as in the case of muskmelon. Irrigation : During initial stages of growth irrigate weekly. Later the irrigation should be given at 9-13 days interval. Towards maturity irrigation should be given at longer interval. Total number of irrigations would be 7 to 9. Harvesting, Care and Marketing The crop would be ready for harvest in 95-120 days after seed sowing depending upon the cultivar. The fruits should be harvested when fully developed and mature. Signs of maturity are drying of tendrils, change in colour of ground spots to yellow and thumping of matured fruits give dull sound. Seed Production Land should be free from volunteer plants of the same crop or other crossable species. A seed crop field must be isolated from other varieties all around to a minimum distance of 1000 metre and 500 metre for foundation and certified seed, respectively. Systematic and timely field inspections at different stages of plant growth are essential to ensure the production of genetically pure seed. A minimum of three field inspections viz., before flowering, during flowering and fruiting and finally at fruit maturity are required. The edible fruit should be examined for internal fruit characters and sweetness. Watermelon fruit is ready for seed harvest at its edible stage of maturity. Harvesting can be delayed for a few days after the fruit reaches edible stage. Dryness of the tendrils at the point of attachment of fruit to the vine and change of belly colour from green to yellow are the other important criteria for judging the fruit maturity. The seeds may be harvested from the over-ripe fruits but in order to correctly inspect the interior fruit quality, it should be harvested at the time of its edible stage. The seeds are removed from the flesh, washed with water and dried in shade before packing. 9  4. SUMMER SQUASH Climate and Soil It requires warm growing season with a temperature ranging between 18-300C. It can be grown in various kinds of soils but sandy loam to loamy soils are ideal. Improved Variety Punjab Chappan Kadoo-1 (1982): It is an early maturing variety and is ready for first harvest in 60 days after sowing. Plants are bush type, with thick and erect foliage, leaves non lobed and green without white specks; petiole and leaves hairy; fruits attractive green; disc shaped, mildly ribbed with flat stem-end and attractive.This variety has field resistance to downy mildew and tolerant to virus, powdery mildew and red pumpkin beetle. It has a high female to male ratio. Average yield of fruits is 95 q/acre. Agronomic Practices Sowing Time : 1. Mid-January to March 2. October to November (under protection) Seed Rate : Use 2.0 kg of seed per acre. Spacing : Prepare 1.25 m wide beds and sow two seeds/hill at a distance of 45 cm apart on both sides. Manures and Fertilizers : Apply 15 tonnes of farmyard manure per acre before preparation of beds. Add 40 kg of N (90 kg of Urea), 20 kg P2O5 (125 kg of Single Superphosphate) and 15 kg K20 (25 kg Muriate of Potash) per acre in two parallel bands at 45 cm apart and the channel should be prepared in between these fertilizer bands before sowing of the seed. Apply half of N alongwith whole of P2O5 and K20 at the time of land preparation. Rest half of N should be applied as top dressing one month after sowing. Irrigation: First irrigation should be given immediately after sowing to facilitate germination. Subsequent irrigations should be given at 6-7 days interval depending upon season. Total number of irrigations would be 9-10. 10 Harvesting, Care and Marketing The crop will be ready for first picking 60-80 days after sowing depending upon variety and season. Fruits become fit for harvesting after 7 days of fruit setting. The interval of pickings should be 2-3 days. Seed Production A seed crop field must be isolated all around to a minimum distance of 800 metre from other varieties of this crop. A minimum of three field inspections should be conducted to produce true to type seed. The first inspection should be done before flowering, second at flowering and fruiting and third before harvesting of the crop. The off type and diseased plants should be rogued off. The fruits turn bright yellow to orange at seed harvesting stage. The harvested fruits are cut into two halves and seed is scooped out by hand. The seed is washed in water and fruit flesh is poured off. The extracted seed is dried immediately. The seed yield is 2.0 to 2.5 q/acre. 11  5. PUMPKIN Climate and Soil It is a warm season crop and requires dry weather with abundant sunshine. The soil should be well drained, loamy and rich in organic matter to get good yield. The soil pH of 6.0-7.0 is best for its cultivation. Improved Hybrids/Varieties Hybrids PPH - 1 (2016) : Vines of this hybrid are dwarf, internodal length short and leaves dark PAU Magaz Kadoo -1 seed rich green. Its fruits are small, source of omega-6 and protein round, mottled-green at and can be used as ‘Magaz’ and immature stage and mottled- snacks brown at mature stage. Fruit For early marketing, sow cavity is small and flesh is PPH-1 and PPH-2 hybrids of golden yellow. It is extra- Pumpkin in February-March early in maturity and gives on beds. 206 q/acre yield. Prepare 1.5 metre wide bed and PPH - 2 (2016) : Vines sow seed at 45 cm spacing. of this hybrid are dwarf, Fruits are ready for marketing internodal length short and after 40 days of transplanting leaves green. Its fruits are small, round, light green at immature stage and smooth-brown at mature stage. Fruit cavity is small and flesh is golden yellow. It is extra-early in maturity and gives 222 q/acre yield. Varieties Punjab Nawab (2019) : Its leaves are dark green and vines medium with intermediate internodal length. Its fruits are medium sized, flat-round, mottled-green at immature stage and mottled- brown at maturity. Fruit cavity is medium, flesh thick and golden- yellow. It is tolerant to pumpkin yellow vein mosaic virus disease and gives 137 q/acre yield during rainy season. PAU Magaz Kadoo -1 (2018) : It is an edible seeded variety. Its seeds are hull-less (without testa) and can be used as ‘Magaz’ and snacks. Its vines are dwarf and leaves are dark-green. Its fruits are of medium sized, round and turn golden yellow at maturity. Its 12 seeds contain 32% omega-6, 3% protein and 27% oil content. Its seed yield is 2.9 q/acre. Punjab Samrat (2008) : Its vines are medium long, stems angular and leaves are dark green. Its fruits are medium in size, nearly round, mottled-green and turn pale-brown at maturity. The fruit flesh is thick and golden-yellow. It is early in maturity, rich in vitamin-A. Its average yield is 165 q/acre. Agronomic Practices Sowing Time : February-March June-July (Punjab Nawab). Seed Rate : Use 1.0-1.5 kg of seed per acre. Spacing : Prepare 2-2.5 metre wide beds and sow two seeds per hill at 60 cm spacing on both sides of the beds. PAU Magaz Kadoo-1 and Hybrids (PPH-1 and PPH-2) should be planted on both sides of 1.5 meter broad bed at 45 cm spacing. Manures and Fertilizers : Apply 8-10 tonnes of well rotten farmyard manure per acre before preparation of the beds. Add 20 kg of N (45 kg Urea) before sowing and another 20 kg of N (45 kg Urea) as top dressing with in one month. Irrigation : First irrigation should be given immediately after sowing to facilitate seed germination. Subsequent irrigations should be given at 6-7 days interval depending upon the season. Total number of irrigations would be 8-10. Harvesting, Care and Marketing The fruits are ready for harvesting when skin turns pale- brown and flesh becomes golden-yellow. The mature fruits have good storage capacity and it is always better to reduce frequency of irrigation before fruit picking. The immature fruits can be harvested for sale also. Seed Production The isolation distance of pumpkin seed plot from other varieties should be 1000 metre for foundation and 500 metre for certified seed production. Off type and diseased plants are roughed out at vegetative, flowering and fruiting stages. When skin of the fruits turn hard and attain yellow brown colour then they are ready for harvesting and seed extraction. Then clean, grade and dry the seed to 8% moisture before storage. 13  6. BOTTLE GOURD Climate and Soil It requires warm growing season with a temperature ranging between 18-300C. It can be grown in various kinds of soils but sandy loam to loamy soils are ideal. Improved Varieties Punjab Bahar (2017): Its vines are medium long and pubescent. Fruits are nearly round, medium sized, light green, shining and pubescent. Its vines bear average of 9 to 10 fruits. Its average yield is 222 q/acre. Punjab Barkat (2014) : The vines are vigorous in growth and profusely branched. Stem is pubescent. Fruits are long, cylindrical, shinning, tender and light green in colour, It is moderately resistant to mosaic disease. Its average fruit yield is 226 q/acre. Punjab Long (1997) : The plants are vigorous, profusely branched bearing cylindrical light green and shinning fruits. It is suitable for packaging and long distance marketing. Average yield is 180 q/acre. Punjab Komal (1988) : It is an early maturing variety. The first fruit attains marketable maturity in about 70 days after sowing. It bears oblong, medium sized, light green, pubescent, 10-12 fruits per vine. Fruits are tender and borne on medium, long, thin pedicel on 4th or 5th node onwards. It is tolerant to cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Average yield is about 200 q/acre. Agronomic Practices Sowing Time : 1. February- March 2. June-July 3. November-December (Under protection) Seed Rate: Use 2.0 kg. of seed per acre. Spacing: Prepare 2.0 to 2.5 metre wide beds and sow seed on both the sides of beds at a distance of 45-60 cm. 14  Manures and Fertilizers : Apply 20-25 tonnes of farmyard manure per acre before preparation of beds. Add 14 kg N (30 kg. Urea) at sowing and another14 kg N (30 kg. Urea) at first picking stage. Irrigation: First irrigation should be given just after sowing. Crop requires frequent irrigations. Summer season crop requires irrigation at 6-7 days interval whereas sparingly during rainy season. Total number of irrigations would be 8-9. Harvesting, Care and Marketing The crop is ready for harvesting in about 60-70 days after sowing depending upon variety and season. Harvest only tender and medium sized fruits which are still tender and shining in colour. In peak season, picking should be done every 3 or 4 days. Seed Production A seed crop field must be isolated all around to a minimum distance of 800 metre from fields of other varieties of his crop. A minimum of three field inspections should be conducted to produce true to type seed. The first inspection should be done before flowering, second at flowering and fruiting and third before harvesting of the fruits. The off type and diseased plants should be rogued off. The fruits turn green dull at seed harvest stage. The harvested fruits are dried and seed is extracted. The seed is graded and packed. 15  7. BITTER GOURD Climate and Soil Though it has a wide range of adaptability, yet it thrives best in warm humid regions. It cannot tolerate frost. Though it can be grown on all types of soils, yet well drained loam soil rich in organic matter is best suited for its cultivation. For getting early crop, sandy or sandy loam soils are preferred but they should be manured well and good amount of chemical fertilizers should be added in the soil. Improved Varieties Punjab Karela-15 : Its leaves are green, smooth and serrated. Stem is pubescent and green. Vines are long with dark green, smooth and serrated leaves. Fruits are dark green and with matt appearance. It is moderately resistant to yellow mosaic disease of bitter gourd. The average yield is 51q/acre. Punjab Jhaar Karela-1 (2017) : Its vines are medium long with green serrated leaves. Fruits are attractive green, tender, spindle shaped and suitable for cooking by chopping. It is resistant to root knot nematode and virus diseases. Its average yield is 35 q/acre. Punjab Kareli-1 (2009) : Vines are long. Leaves are green, smooth and serrated. Its fruits are long thin, green and ridged. It takes 66 days for first fruit harvest. One fruit weighs about 50g and average yield is 70 q/acre. Punjab –14 (1985): It has small vines. Fruit weighs about 35g and is light green. Suitable for sowing during spring and rainy seasons. Average yield is about 50 q/acre. Agronomic Practices Sowing Time : 1. February-March 2. June-July Seed Rate: Use 2.0 kg of seed per acre. 16  Spacing: Sowing should be done on both sides of 1.5m wide beds keeping plant to plant distance of 45 cm. Manures and Fertilizers : Apply 10-15 tonnes farmyard manure 10-15 days before sowing and also apply 40 kg of N (90 kg of Urea), 20 kg of P2O5 (125 kg of Single Superphosphate) and 20 kg of K2O (35 kg of Muriate of Potash) per acre. Whole P2O5 and K2O along with one third of N should be applied in two parallel bands 45 cm apart and a channel should be prepared in between the fertilizer bands before sowing of seed. The remaining N should be applied one month after sowing. Irrigation: First irrigation should be given after sowing. During summer season, crop may be irrigated after 6-7 days whereas during rainy season only when needed. Total number of irrigations would be 8-9. Harvesting, Care and Marketing The crop will be ready for harvesting in about 55-60 days after sowing depending upon variety and season. The picking should be done at 2-3 days interval. Drying of Bitter gourd slices : Bitter gourd slices of 1-2 cm thickness can be optimally dried after blanching (5% NaCl, 2 minute in boiling water) with acceptable quality at 65 ºC for 2 hour; 55ºC for 7 hour and 40°C for 3 hour followed by equilibration at ambient conditions. Seed Production For seed production, the crop is grown just like market crop. To produce pure seed, genetic purity of the variety must be maintained and off-type plants must be removed. The roguing should be done thrice i.e. at vegetative phase, at flowering stage and at fruiting stage. Isolation distance of 1000 metre should be kept between different varieties. Keep one honey bee colony per acre to produce good seed yield. When the colour of the fruits turn dark yellow to orange, they should be harvested. The seed should be separated from fruits and pulp and should be cleaned and dried in shade. 17  8. SPONGE GOURD Climate and Soil Sponge gourd can be grown in tropical and sub-tropical climate. It grows well under warm and humid conditions. It is very sensitive to frost and low temperature. It can be grown in all types of soils, but sandy loam soil is ideal for its cultivation. Improved Varieties Punjab Nikhar (2020) : The vines are medium long with intermediate internodal length. Leaves are medium in size and green. Fruits are slender, smooth, tender, long, light green and produce creamish white seed. It takes 43 days from transplanting to first picking. Its average fruit yield is 82 q/acre yield. PSG-9 (2005) : The vines are medium long with dark green leaves. The fruits are smooth, long, tender and dark green. It takes 60 days from transplanting to first picking. Average fruit weight is 65 g and yield is 65 q/acre. Agronomic Practices Sowing Time : 1. Mid February to March 2. Mid May to July. Seed Rate: Use 2.0 kg of seed per acre. Spacing: Sow atleast two seeds per hill on one side of 3 metre wide beds at a spacing of 75-90 cm. Manures and Fertilizers : Apply 40 kg of N (90 kg of Urea), 20 kg of P2O5 (125 kg of Single Superphosphate) and 20 kg of K2O (35 kg of Muriate of Potash ) per acre. Apply 1/3 N, whole P2O5 and K2O at the time of sowing. Apply remaining N in two equal splits one and two months after sowing. Irrigation: The first irrigation should be given just after seed sowing. During summer season, irrigate the crop at 7-10 days interval. The crop can be grown during rainy season with limited irrigation. Total number of irrigations would be 7-8. 18 Harvesting, Care and Marketing The crop is ready for harvest in about 70-80 days after sowing. The picking should be done at an interval of 3-4 days. Harvest only tender and medium sized fruits. Seed Production The raising of seed crop is similar to that of crop grown for table purpose, except that of difference in harvesting stage of the fruit. The best time for raising the seed crop is Feburary-March rather than the rainy season, since harvesting and extraction of seed is convenient in the dry spell. A minimum isolation distance of 1000 metre between two varieties of sponge gourd is required. The undesirable or off-type plants are removed before flowering, during flowering, fruiting and maturity stages. Fruits are allowed to mature physiologically on plant rather than harvesting at horticultural maturity. Seeds are extracted when fruits are dry and seeds rattle inside the shell. After cleaning, dry seed is packed and stored under low temperature and low humidity conditions. 19  9. ASH GOURD Climate and Soil Ash gourd is a warm season crop and grows well in temperature range of 22-350C. It is sensitive to frost and low temperature conditions. It can be grown in all types of soils, but sandy loam soil is ideal for its growth. The pH range is 6.5-7.5. Improved Variety PAG-3 (2003) : The vines are medium long with green leaves. Fruits are attractive, globular and medium sized. It take 145 days from transplanting to harvesting. The average fruit weight is 10 kg. and average yield is 120 q/acre. Agronomic Practices Sowing Time : 1. February-March 2. June-July Seed Rate: Use 2.0 kg of seed per acre. Spacing: Sow atleast two viable seeds per hill on one side of 3 m wide beds at a spacing of 75-90 cm. Manures and Fertilizers : Apply 8-10 tonnes of farmyard manure and 40 kg of N (90 kg Urea), 20 kg of P2O5 (125 kg Single Superphosphate) and 20 kg of K2O (35 kg Muriate of Potash) per acre. Apply FYM, 1/2 N and whole of P2O5 and K2O in a band before preparation of beds. Apply rest 1/2 N at flowering stage. Irrigation: Irrigate the crop at 7-10 days interval. Harvesting, Care and Marketing The fruits are ready for picking after 120-150 days of sowing. Seed Production The best time for raising the seed crop is February-March by keeping minimum isolation distance of 1000 between two varieties. The undesirable or off-type plants are removed before flowering, during flowering, fruiting, and maturity stages. Harvest fruit when white waxy surface appears on the fruits and stem surface. Separate seed from pulp by washing. Pack the dry seed and stored under low temperature and low humidity. 20  10. CUCUMBER Climate and Soil Cucumber is a warm season crop and very sensitive to frost. Excessive humidity promotes diseases like powdery mildew and downy mildew. The optimum temperature for cucumber production is 26.40C. Seed of cucumber germinates well at 250C. A well drained loamy soil is preferred for cucumber production. Improved Variety Punjab Kheera – 1 (2018) : It is suitable for poly-net house only. Plant are vigorous, bearing 1-2 fruits per node. Flowers are parthenocarpic and fruits are dark green, seedless, bitter free, medium sized (125 g), 13-15 cm long and do not require peeling. First fruit picking is possible after 45 and 60 days of sowing for September and January sown crop, respectively. Its average yield is 304 q/acre and 370 q/acre for September and January sown crop, respectively. Punjab Naveen (2008) : The plants have dark green leaves with rough surface. Fruits are cylinderical with smooth surface, light green in colour, bitter free, very crispy having solf seed at edible maturity. It is better in quality having high dry matter and vitamin C. It takes 68 days from the transplanting to harvesting. The variety is excellent in taste, appearance, colour, size and texture. Its average yield is 70 q/acre. Agronomic Practices Sowing Time : (i) February-March (open field conditions) (ii) September and January (for polynet house) (iii) Mid November (Low tunnel) Seed Rate : Use 1.0 kg seed for open field conditions and about 13000 seeds per acre for poly net house cultivation. Spacing : The seeds are sown on both sides of the beds of width 2.5 metre at a distance of 60 cm between seed. Sow two seeds at one place to ensure good stand. 21  Cultivation of cucumber in soilless media under naturally ventilated polyhouse and low tunnel : (See on Page No. 141) Manure and Fertilizers : It requires 40 kg N (90 kg of Urea), 20 kg P2O5 (125 kg of Single Superphosphate) and 20 kg K2O (35 kg Muriate of Potash). Apply 1/3 N along with whole P2O5 and K2O at the time of sowing in two parallel bands 15 cm away from the bed mark. Apply rest of the N during the early period of vine growth i.e. one month of sowing. Irrigation : Sowing is done on the pre-irrigated furrows on top of the ridge on both sides of the beds. subsequently irrigation is applied second or third day of sowing. The crop is irrigated at 4-6 days interval. Total number of irrigations would be 10-12. Harvesting, Care and Marketing Fruits are picked when tender and young when seeds inside the fruit are still soft. Fruits must be picked before change in colour from green to yellow. Seed Production For seed production the fruits should be picked when brown in colour. A minimum of 1000 metre isolation distance from different varieties of cucumber should be kept to produce true to type seed. Three field inspections should be done, first before flowering, second at flowering and fruiting and third before harvesting of the seed crop. All off type and diseased plants should be rogued off. For extraction of seed, the pulp of the fruit is taken out in fresh water. It is kept for one to two days to allow the seed to separate from the pulp. The seed is rubbed with hand. Heavy seeds settle down in water and are retained. 22  11. Long melon Climate and Soil Long melon is a warm season crop. It can also be grown under protected conditions to get early yield. The crop can be grown in wide range of soils ranging between sandy laom to heavy soil. Improved Variety Punjab Long Melon-1 (1995) : Its vines are long, stem pubescent, angled and light green. It is an early maturing variety. Its fruits are long, thin and light green. Average yield is 86 q/ acre. Agronomic Practices Sowing Time : February-March. Seed Rate : Use 1.0 kg of seed per acre. Spacing : Seeds are sown on both sides of the bed of width 2.5 metre at a distance of 60 cm. Sow at least two seeds at one place to ensure good stand. Manure and Fertilizers : It requires 40 kg N (90 kg Urea), 20 kg of P2O5 (125 kg of Superphosphate) and 20 kg of K2O (35 kg of Muriate of Potash). Apply 1/3 N along with whole of P2O5 and K2O at the time of sowing in two parallel bands 15 cm away from the bed mark and prepare the ridges. Rest of the N is applied after one month of sowing. Irrigation : Irrigate immediately after sowing the seeds on the beds. Irrigation may be given at 4-5 days interval in summer season. In the rainy season, apply irrigation whenever required. Harvesting, Care and Marketing Long melon fruits are ready for picking in about 60-70 days. Fruits should be picked when attain the marketable size and are tender. In peak season harvest the fruits at 3-4 days interval. Seed Production Long melon field should be minimum 1000 metre isolated from other varieties of longmelon, muskmelon, snapmelon and wild melon. The undesirable or off type plants are rogued out 23 before flowering, during flowering and fruiting stages. Three field inspections should be conducted, first before flowering, second at flowering and fruiting and third before harvesting of the seed crop. The mature fruits are picked and pulp is taken out in fresh water. It is kept for one or two days for separation of seed from the pulp. The seed is rubbed with hands. Heavy seeds settle in water and are retained. 24  12. round gourd Climate and Soil It is mainly a warm and dry season crop. The vines do not grow well in cool or humid weather. The seeds require soil temperature of 21-350C to germinate. It likes warm, sunny conditions of 25-300C at daytime and 180C or more during night. Well drained, fertile, sandy or loamy soils are ideal for the crop. But it prefers light or sandy soils where its roots can penetrate easily. Improved Variety Punjab Tinda -1 (2018) : It is an early maturing variety and is suitable for sowing in spring season. Its leaves are green and moderately lobed. Fruits are round, shining, green, pubescent, white fleshed with average fruit weight of 60 g (immature stage). First picking is possible 54 days after sowing. Its average yield is 72 q/acre. Tinda 48 : Its vines are 75-100 cm long. Leaves are light green and deeply lobed. Fruits are medium sized with an average weight of 50 g each. Their shape is flat round, pubescent and shining light green in colour. Flesh is white. It yields 25 q/acre. Agronomic Practices Sowing Time : 1. February-March 2. June-July Seed rate : Use 1.2 kg for Punjab Tinda 1 and 1.5 kg for Tinda 48 seed per acre. Spacing : The seeds are sown on both sides of the beds of width 1.5 m at a spacing of 45 cm. Seeds may be soaked over night in water to ensure proper germination. Sow at least two seeds at one spot. Manure and Fertilizers : It requires 40 kg N (90 kg Urea), 20 kg of P2O5 (125 kg of Single Superphosphate) and 20 kg of K2O (35 kg of Muriate of Potash). Apply 1/3 N along with full 25 dose of P2O5 and K2O at the time of sowing. Apply rest of the N during the early period of the growth. Irrigation : The seeds are sown on the pre-irrigated furrows on the top of ridge on both sides of the beds. Subsequent irrigation is applied on second or third day after sowing. During summer, irrigate after 4-5 days. In rainy season, irrigation is applied depending on intensity of rains. Harvesting, Care and Marketing The first flush of fruits is borne very early. These fruits remain very small, are unmarketable and therefore should be removed as soon as they appear for proper vegetative growth. The fruits of the later flush attain marketable size and are harvested when still tender and hairy. The marketable fruits are ready for first picking after 54-60 days of sowing depending upon the variety. The later pickings should be done at 2-3 days interval. Seed Production For seed production, an isolation distance of 800 metre is maintained from other varieties of round melon. Three field inspections should be conducted, first before flowering, second at flowering and fruiting and third before harvesting of the seed crop. All off type and diseased plants should be rogued off. The mature fruits turn their colour into dull. These are picked and crushed with hands in fresh water so as to separate the seeds from the pulp. The heavier seeds settle at the bottom and are retained. 26 Table 1 : Tips for cucurbits cultivation Name of Time of sowing Bed Plant Seed Harvesting Vegetable spacing spacing rate (days) (m) (cm ) (kg/ acre) Muskmelon Mid February 3 or 4 60 400 gm 65 Watermelon Mid January - 2.5-3.0 60 1.5 - 2.0 100 March *November- December Summer Mid January - 1.25 45 2.0 60 squash March *October - November Pumpkin February - March 3.0 60 1.0 90 June-July Hybrids & February - March 1.5 45 1.5 65 PAU Magaz Kadoo-1 Bottle gourd February - March 2.0-2.5 45-60 2.0 60 June - July *November- December Bitter gourd February- March 1.5 45 2.0 60 June - July Sponge gourd Mid February - 3 75-90 2.0 60 March Mid May - July Ash gourd February - March 3 75-90 2.0 120 June - July Cucumber February - March 2.5 60 1.0 68 *September and 2.5 45 January Long melon February - March 2.5 60 1.0 60 Round Gourd February - March 1.5 45 1.2-1.5 60 June - July Wanga February - March 2.5 60 1.0 90 June - July *Under protected/polynet condition 27  13. WANGA Climate and Soil Wanga can be grown in summer as well as in rainy season. It is a crop of dry area and can be successfully grown in Fazilka, Abohar and Faridkot areas. It is grown in sandy soils which are rich in organic matter. Improved Variety Punjab Wanga-1 (1995) : Its vines are medium long with angular and hairy stem. The leaves are serrated, dark green in colour. Male and bisexual flowers are borne on the same vine. Fruits are oval shaped, smooth and ready for picking after 88 days of sowing. Its average yield is 45 q/acre. Agronomic Practices Sowing Time : 1. February-March 2. June-July Seed Rate : Use 1.0 kg of seed per acre Spacing : The seeds are sown on both sides of the beds of width 2.5 metre at a spacing of 60 cm. Sow at least two seeds at one place to ensure good stand. Manure and Fertilizers : It requires 40 kg N (90 kg of Urea), 20 kg of P2O5 (125 kg of Single Superphosphate) and 20 kg of K2O (35 kg of Muriate of Potash). Apply 1/3 N and whole of P2O5 and K2O at the time of sowing in two parallel bands 15 cm away from bed mark. Apply rest of the N during the early period of vine growth i.e. one month of sowing. Irrigation : The seeds are sown on the pre-irrigated furrows on the top of the ridge on both sides of the beds. Subsequently the irrigation is given second or third day after sowing. During summer, irrigate after 5-6 days. In rainy season irrigation is applied as per the intensity of rains. Total number of irrigations would be 8-10. Harvesting, Care and Marketing Picking should be done when fruits are medium sized and 28 tender. The first picking is done about 90 days after sowing. Picking is done at an interval of 3-4 days. Seed Production For seed production, the fruits turn light green in colour and are soft to touch. A minimum of 1000 metre isolation distance from different varieties of wanga, snapmelon, wildmelon and muskmelon should be kept to produce true to type seed. Three field inspections should be conducted, first before flowering, second at flowering and fruiting and third before harvesting of the seed crop. All off type and diseased plants should be rogued off. For seed extraction, the pulp of the fruit is kept in water for two days. Seed separates from the pulp and sattle down in water and is retained. Plant Protection (Muskmelon, Watermelon and other Cucurbits) A. Insect pests Pests and Symptoms Control Measures Precautions 1. Red pumpkin After germination, dust i) Sow the crop in beetle (Aulacophora dung ash on the plants 3-4 November to avoid the foveicollis) attacks the times at weekly interval damage from this insect. crops at the seedling during initial days of crop stage. In case of a severe growth. attack, the crop is totally destroyed. 2. Aphid causes damage Eradicate weeds growing Use fertilizers judiciously, in Feb.-March by on field bunds, waste as aphid populations tend sucking the sap from the lands, road side and to be higher in plants that foliage. The aphids also irrigation channels/canals are fertilized liberally with spread virus diseases. as they serve as reservoir nitrogenous fertilizers. for aphids. 3. Whitefly: Nymphs In the beginning of crop i) Regular monitoring and adults suck sap from season on appearance of of the main crop and the foliage and reduce whitefly, give 1-2 sprays alternate host crops the yield. of *PAU Neem Extract @ should be carried out to 1200 ml per acre in 100- check whitefly infestation 125 litre of water. for and its timely management. 29  *Method of preparation ii) Eradicate weeds of PAU Neem Extract: growing on field bunds, Boil 4.0 kg terminal parts waste lands, road side and of the shoots of Neem irrigation channels/canals trees including leaves, to avoid further spread of green branches and fruits whitefly. in 10 liters of water for iii) Harvest the ripe fruit 30 minutes. Then filter before spray. this material through muslin cloth and use the filtrate for spraying at the recommended dose. 4. Red spider mite (Tetranychus spp.) attacks the leaves and sucks the plant sap. 5. Fruit flies (Bactrocera (i) Apply the bait spray (i) Collect the infested cucurbitae) puncture containing 20 ml Malathion fruits and destroy them tender fruits and spoil 50 EC and 200g gur/sugar by burying them deep in them. Their attack is in 20 litres of water on the soil. serious in longmelon, lower surface of the leaves (ii) Recharge the traps luffa, bittergourd, of maize plants grown in after 25-30 days, if re- tinda, bottle gourd and rows at distance of 8-10m quired muskmelon. as trap crop has been found to be effective as the flies have the habit of resting on such tall plants. (ii) For sponge gourd, use PAU fruit fly trap @16 trap per acre during 3-4th week of April for spring and 4th week of June for rainy season crop. (iii) For the management of fruit fly of bitter gourd, use PAU fruit fly trap @ 16 trap per acre during 3-4th week of March for spring and 4th week of June for rainy season crop. 30 B. Diseases Diseases Symptoms Control Measures 1. Powdery mil- The fungus forms a white floury dew (Sphaerotheca coating on leaves, stem and fulginea) other succulent parts of the plant, develops in dry weather. Fruits remain poor in quality and flavour. 2. Downy mildew On most of the host plants, the i) Destroy over (Pseudoperono- first visible symptoms are the wintering vines of spora cubensis) appearance of small water soaked cucurbits. lesions on the leaves. These ii) Avoid flood lesions appear yellow on the upper irrigations. surface. Greyish downy growth of fungus develops on underside of the leaves. Lesions turn brown in the centre and veins are blighted. 3. Collar rot At soil level, the stem shows brown Use disease free seed. (Rhizoctonia to dark brown lesions. The plant solani) is eventually killed. Damping off of seedlings also takes place. 4. Pythium rot Water soaked lesions girdle the Avoid flood irrigations. (Pythium butleri) stem, later extending upwards and downwards. The affected tissues rot and even grown up plants collapse. This fungus also causes fruit rotting. 5. Alternaria Yellow spots appear on the leaves blight (Alternaria which turn dark brown and finally cucumerina) black with age. They usually start from the margin & produce concentric rings; severely infected vines look like burnt charcoal. The disease is more severe on watermelon. 6. Mosaic (Virus) The appearance of dark green and i) Collect seeds from light green patches on the leaves; virus free plants. leaves become chloritic, reduced ii) Rogue out the virus in size and deformed into finger affected plants. like structures in squash, bottle iii) Spray the crop gourd and sponge gourd, at the end with insecticides of season. The virus is transmitted recommended for the through seeds and aphids. control of aphids. 31 7. Root knot Poor and patchy growth of crop. i) Give frequent nematode Leaves become yellow and cultivation in May- (Meloidogyne reduced in size. Formation of June to expose the soil incognita) knots on roots. Severely infected to the Sun. vines dry up and die earlier than ii) Follow rotations with healthy ones. Infected vines wilt rice, oat, wheat and easily during day. Disease is soil taramira in nematode borne. infested soils. iii) For the integrated management of root knot nematode in infested poly/net houses apply Mustard Cake @ 1 t/ha and Neem Cake @ 1t/ha mixed with FYM @ 2.5t/ha ten days before sowing of cucumber. 32  14. TOMATO Climate and Soil Tomato is a warm season crop and requires a relatively long growing season with plenty of sunshine and moderate day temperature of 20–280C. It is sensitive to frost. Under low temperature, the plant growth is restricted and fruit setting is low. The critical factor in the setting of fruits is the night temperature, the optimum range being 15–200C.The red pigment in the fruit will develop only when the temperature is between 150C-300C. Above this range of temperature, only the yellow pigment formed. When the temperature exceeds 400C, no pigment will be formed. Tomato can be grown in all types of soils, but the soil should be friable. However, it grows best in light soils ranging from sandy loam to loam. Improved Hybrids/Varieties Hybrids PTH-2 (2019) : The Sow virus tolerant variety of plants are determinate with tomato, viz., Punjab Varkha dark green foliage and first Bahar - 4, Punjab Varkha picking is possible after 114 Bahar-2 and Punjab Varkha days of transplanting. Fruits Bahar-1 during rainy season. are round, deep red, medium For early and higher yield, sow sized (75g) and firm with 3-4 nursery of PTH-2 and TH-1, locules. The hybrid has TSS Punjab Ratta, Punjab Upma, content of 4.2% and lycopene Punjab Chhuhara and Punjab content of 4.7%. The hybrid NR-7 in October-November. is resistant to late blight Punjab Swarna, Punjab and root knot nematodes. Gaurav, Punjab Sartaj, Punjab The hybrid is suitable for Sona Cherry, Punjab Kesar processing purposes and its Cherry and Punjab Red Cherry are suitable for protected average yield is 270 q/acre. cultivation. TH-1 (2003) : It is a Transplant the nursery in determinate hybrid which November-December and save is cross between W-321×1- the crop from frost during 181. Its foliage cover is winter by covering with dense that protects the fruits polythene/sarkanda. 33 from sun scalding. Fruit colour is deep red, shape is round and average fruit weight is 85 g. Its fruits are firm, average TSS is 5% and is thus recommended both for fresh market and processing. It has better shelf life and can be transported to distant markets. TH-1 is moderately resistant to late blight. Average yield is 245 q/acre. Varieties (a) Rainy Season Varieties Punjab Varkha Bahar-4 (2015): It is a determinate variety with green and dense foliage. Average plant height is 85 cm. The fruits are firm, round and uniform in ripening with an average weight of 90 g. First picking is possible 88 days after transplanting. It is suitable for cultivation in rainy/autumn season. It is resistant to leaf curl virus. Its TSS is 3.8% and lycopene content is 3.13 mg/100g of fresh weight. Average yield is 245 q/acre. Punjab Varkha Bahar-1 (2009) : The plants are semi determinate, foliage cover is dense and dark green. Fruits are round and medium firm. It takes 90 days for maturity after transplanting. It is moderately resistant to leaf curl virus. The variety is suitable for cultivation during the rainy season. Its average yield is 215 q/acre. Punjab Varkha Bahar-2 (2009) : The plants are determinate, foliage cover is dense and light green. Fruits are round and medium firm. It takes 100 days for maturity after transplanting. It is moderately resistant to leaf curl virus. The variety is suitable for cultivation during the rainy season. Its average yield is 216 q/ acre. (b) Winter and Spring Season Varieties Punjab Ratta (2009) : The plants are determinate, foliage cover is dense and dark green. It takes 125 days from transplanting to first picking when transplanted during the last week of November. The fruits are oval, medium sized, very firm and deep red (average lycopene content 8 mg/100g). It is suitable for processing and the average yield is 225 q/acre. Punjab Upma (2000) : The plants are determinate, foliage cover is dense & leaflets are broad. The fruits are oval, medium in size, firm deep red in colour and is suitable for fresh market and 34 processing.The average yield is 220 q/acre and 300 gm seed can be extracted from one quintal fruit. Punjab NR-7 (1985) : Its plants are dwarf, foliage is medium dense, fruits are flat round, medium sized (70g), uniform red, multilocular and juicy. It is highly resistant to root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica) and resistant to Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. lycopersici). Average yield is 175- 180 q/acre. Punjab Chhuhara (1975) : The plants are dwarf, being about 60 cm tall. Its dense foliage protects the fruits from sunburn. The fruit is pear shaped, small to medium with fewer seeds. Its fruits ripen uniformly. It yields about 320 q/acre. (c) Varieties for Polynet/Nethouse Tomato hybirds, NS-4266, Himshekhar and Punjab Sartaj can be grown in soilless medium under protected cultivation. Punjab Swarna (2018) : Plants are indeterminate in growth habit with dark green foliage and suitable for cultivation under protected conditions. Fruits are firm, medium size, oval, with pointed tip and 2-3 locules, orange in colour. Fruits are borne in clusters of 8-10 having TSS of 4% and carotene content of 14mg per 100g of fresh weight. First picking is possible 120 days after transplanting. It gives early average yield (harvested till end March) of 166 q/acre and average yield of 1087 q/acre. It is suitable for table purpose. Punjab Gaurav (2015): Plants are indeterminate is growth habit. Fruits are oval, medium sized (90 g), very firm with pointed tip and 2-3 locules. Fruits are borne in clusters of eight to nine with TSS content of 5.5% and lycopene content of 4.9 mg per 100 g. First picking is possible 120 days after transplanting and it gives early yield (harvested till end March) of 247 q/acre and total yield of 934 q/acre. The fruits have a shelf life of six days under ambient conditions and are suitable for both local and distant markets. The variety is suitable for protected cultivation under polynet house. Punjab Sartaj (2015) : Plants are indeterminate in growth habit with dark green foliage. Fruits are round, medium sized (85 35 g) and firm with 3- 4 locules. Fruits are borne in clusters of five to six with TSS content of 5.7% and lycopene content of 5.3 mg per 100 g. First picking is possible 117 days after transplanting and it gives early yield (harvested till end March) of 254 q/acre and total yield of 898 q/acre. The fruits have a shelf life of five days under ambient conditions and are suitable for both local and distant markets. The variety is tolerant to leaf curl virus and is suitable for protected cultivation under polynet house. Besides these, three Cherry Tomato Varieties have also been recommended. Punjab Sona Cherry (2017): Plants are indeterminate in growth habit. Fruits are oval, yellow in colour and first picking is possible after 112 days of transplanting. Fruits are borne in clusters of 20-25 with average fruit weight of 11g. Its TSS content is 7.5% and carotene content is 13 mg per 100 g of fresh weight. It gives early yield of 148 q/acre (end March) and total yield of 425 q/acre. The variety has a shelf life of five days and is suitable for protected cultivation. Punjab Kesar Cherry (2017) : Plants are indeterminate in growth habit. Fruits are oval, orange in colour and first picking is possible after 115 days of transplanting. Fruits are borne in clusters of 18-23 with average fruit weight of 11g. Its TSS content is 7.6%, lycopene content is 1.8 mg per 100 g and carotene is 13 mg per 100 g of fresh weight. It gives early yield of 138 q/acre (end March) and total yield of 405 q/acre. The variety has a shelf life of six days and is suitable for protected cultivation. Punjab Red Cherry (2015) : Plants are indeterminate in growth habit with dark green foliage. Fruits are round, deep red and first picking is possible 120 days after transplanting. Fruits are borne in clusters of eighteen to twenty with average fruit weight of 12 g. Its TSS content is 6.3% and lycopene is 4.9 mg per 100 g of fresh weight. It gives early yield (harvested till end March) of 156 q/acre and total yield of 437 q/acre. It is tolerant to leaf curl virus and is suitable for protected cultivation. Agronomic Practices Seed rate : Seed rate is 100g/acre when sown in the nursery. Sow nursery in two marla (50 m2) area to transplant one acre. 36  Sowing time : For winter planting, sowing should be done in October and transplanting in November-December. Sarkanda cover should invariably be provided during winter to protect the plants against frost. However, dwarf varieties can be successfully and economically covered with polythene bags of 35 cm×25 cm size and of 100- gauge thickness. The transplanting of tomato can also be done in February. For February planting, sow seed in the end of November and protect seedlings from frost in the nursery beds by covering with polythene sheets or sarkanda thatch. However, the yield obtained would be comparatively lower from February planted crop than from November planted crop. To ensure successful growing of healthy seedlings from costly hybrid seeds of tomato, grow nursery of this crop under polyhouse (size 24′×13′×6′) made of UV stabilized low density polyethylene film of 200 microns (800 guage) thickness. Time of sowing under polyhouse Time of transplanting Main season crop a) Ist week of November End of November Spring season crop b) Last week of December Mid February The sowing of Punjab Varkha Bahar-4, Punjab Varkha Bahar-1 and Punjab Varkha Bahar-2 can be done in second fortnight of July and their transplanting can be done in second fortnight of August. Transplant two seedlings per hill. Nursery Raising : Prepare 1.5 m wide and 20 cm high beds in an area of about two marlas (50 m2) to raise seedlings for an acre. Mix 5 quintals of well rotten farmyard manure with the soil and water the beds at least 10 days before sowing. Drench the beds with Formalin (15 to 20 ml per litre water) by applying 4-5 litres of solution per square metre. Cover beds with a plastic sheet/tarpaulin for 48-72 hours. Turn the soil in beds once a day for 4 to 5 days to eliminate Formalin.Treat the seed with 3 g Captan per kg of seed. Sow seeds 1 to 2 cm deep in lines with 5 cm spacing. Drench the nursery plants with Captan (4g/litre of water) after 5 to 7 days of germination. Repeat after 7 to 10 days. The seedlings become 15 to 20 cm tall in four to six weeks. After lifting the seedlings, wrap them in a wet paper for carrying to the transplanting site. 37  Spacing : Dwarf varieties require a close spacing of 75 cm×30 cm. Rainy season varieties should be planted at a spacing of 120- 150×30 cm. Manures and Fertilizers : Apply 10 tonnes of well rotten farmyard manure and plough it into the soil. Add 25 kg of N (55 kg of Urea) along with 25 kg of P2O5 (155 kg of Single Superphosphate) and 25 kg of K2O (45 kg of Muriate of Potash) per acre in a band at 15 cm on one side of the bed mark and prepare the channels. After removing sarkanda/polythene bag cover by mid February, apply 35 kg of N (75kg of Urea) per acre in the rows, but not touching the base of the vines. Mix it with the soil and earth up. In the sandy soils, apply N in three split doses. The first part should be applied alongwith phosphorus and potash. The second dose should be applied just before the plants take up active growth and the third dose when the first flower clusters have started setting fruits. Under high fertility conditions, the application of N should be reduced, as the blossoms may fail to set fruit due to the unfavourable carbohydrate nitrogen ratio within the plant. Weed Control : Spray Sencor 70WP (metribuzon) 300g/ acre using 200 litre water on moist, prepared seed bed at 3-4 days before transplanting and give one hoeing afterwards. Growth Regulator : To increase the yield of tomato, spray ‘Vipul Booster’ @ 1 ml/litre of water in the nursery beds at least a week before transplanting. Repeat the spray of @ 0.5 ml/litre of water five times at fortnightly intervals. The first foliar spray after transplanting should be started a week after transplanting. Each spray application requires 100 litres of water for which 50 ml of the chemical is needed. This growth regulator increases the yield by 16-18 per cent in November transplanted crop and about 12 per cent in the February transplanted crop. Irrigation : First irrigation should be given immediately after transplanting. Subsequent irrigations may be given after 6-7 days during summer and 10-15 days during winter months. Total number of irrigations required are 14 to 15. Harvesting, Care and Marketing Harvesting should be done according to distance of markets. For long distance markets pick mature green fruits whereas for 38 local market pick at red stage. For processing, pick when fruits are fully red. While picking for long distance markets remove rotten, over-ripe and borer infested fruits. The fruits should be pre-cooled at 130C immediately after harvesting. Packaging of tomatoes in paper moulded trays followed by wrapping with shrink and cling film extends its marketing period with acceptable quality for 6 days. The plastic crate of internal size 465 mm × 290 mm × 140 mm can hold about 10 kg of tomato, while corrugated fiber board box of internal size 335 mm × 215 mm × 185 mm (3-5 ply) can carry 5 kg tomato for distant and domestic marketing with minimum loss. Punjab Varkha Bahar-4 is ready for harvesting in second fortnight of November whereas Punjab Varkha Bahar-1 is ready for harvesting at the end of November. The harvesting of Punjab Varkha Bahar-2 should be started from first fortnight of December. Winter season tomatoes, free from bruishes and diseases, packed in plastic crates lined with news paper can be ripened in 7-10 days in ventilated polyhouse conditions or ripening chamber at 200C temperature and 85-90 per cent RH. The fruit attains uniform colour and quality during ripening. Seed Production The tomato should be grown at the isolation distance of atleast 50 metre from other varieties to avoid any chance of contamination. Minimum three field inspections should be made for getting the true to type seed. The first inspection should be made at vegetative phase, second at flowering and fruiting and third before harvesting of fruits. Any off type and diseased plants should be removed. The extraction of seed from the ripe fruits is done by fermentation method and acid method. In fermentation method, the crushed fruits are allowed to ferment for 1 to 2 days and then put in water where pulp and skin float and the seeds settle down at the bottom. In Acid method, about 100 ml of commercial hydrochloric acid is thoroughly mixed to 14 kg of crushed tomato fruits. The seeds is separated out from the pulp within half an hour which may be cleaned, dried and packed. 39 Plant Protection A. Insect Pests Pests and Control Measures Precautions Symptoms 1. Whitefly For whitefly, spray 400 ml of Use nitrogenous (Bemisia tabaci) Malathion 50 EC in 100 litres of fertilizers judiciously, and Aphid water before fruiting. as their excessive (Aphis gossypii) Eradicate weeds growing on field use encourages They suck the bunds, waste lands, road side and multiplication of sap from leaves irrigation channels/canals as they these insect pests. and lower the serve as reservoir for whitefly and yield aphids. 2. Fruit borer Give three sprays at 2 week i) Regularly collect (Helicoverpa intervals starting from the initiation the infested fruits armigera) The of flowers with any of the following and destroy them by larva attacks the insecticides using 100 litres of burying deep in soil fruits and cause, water per acre. ii) Ripe fruit should holes and rotting i) 60 ml Coragen 18.5 SC be picked before afterwards (chlorantraniliprole) spray. iii) Observe the ii) 200 ml Indoxcarb 14.5 SC waiting period of one iii) 30 ml Fame 480 SL day after spray of (flubendiamide) Coragen and 3 days after spray of Fame. B. Diseases Diseases Symptoms Control Measures 1. Early blight Concentric, dark brown i) Obtain the seed from healthy fruits (Alternaria spots appear on leaves only. solani) and induce yellowing & ii) Treat the seed before sowing with shedding of leaves. The 3g Captan per kg of seed. fruits are also affected and show dark circular iii) After transplanting, spray the areas followed by crop with 600g Indofil M45 per acre rotting. at an interval of 7 days. 2. Late blight Dark water-soaked i) Spray the crop as recommended (Phytophthora patches appear on leaves under early blight during February- infestans) and stem. The fruit is March just after rains. Repeat after 7 also affected. Crop is days intervals. rapidly destroyed if rains ii) Grow resistant hybrids PTH-2 occur during February. and TH-1 40  3. Damping-off Cause pre and post- i) Treat the seed with 3g Captan per (Pythium spp. emergence death of kg of seed Rhizoctonia sp. seedlings in nursery ii) Drench the nursery beds with Fusarium sp.) beds. Captan (400g in 100 litres of water) 5 to 7 days after germination. Repeat the drenching after 7-10 days, if necessary. 4. Leaf curl Stunting of plants with i) Grow leaf curl resistant varieties. (Virus) downward rolling and ii) Rogue out and burn the affected crinckling of leaves, plants. plants bear few flowers iii) Protect the crop in the nursery and fruits. Transmitted beds and fields from insect vector through whitefly. (whitefly) by spraying recommended insecticides. 5. Mosaic Leaves of the affected i) Collect the seed from virus free (Virus) plants exhibit mottling plants. with raised dark green ii) Avoid unnecessary touching of areas. Distortion and plants. malformation of leaves is common. Transmitted iii) Spray the crop with recommended through seed/aphids. insecticides. 6. Root knot Yellowing of leaves i) Grow nematode resistant variety nematodes patchy & unthrify PTH-2 and Punjab NR-7 in infested (Meloidogyne growth of plants, knot fields. incognita and like swellings galls ii) Solarize water saturated nursery M. javanica) are formed in roots. bed using transparent polythene Nematodes survive in sheet (50 micron) for 40 days in the soil for a long period. months of May-June for the control of root knot nematode in nursary beds. iii) Incorporate 40 days old Toria and Taramira crops into tomato nursery beds 10 days before sowing and turn the soil 3-4 times before sowing of tomato. iv) Grow garlic in root knot nematode infested fields in rotation with other vegetable crops. v) Green manure with sunhemp (50 day old crop) or marigold (60 days old crop) in root knot nematode infested fields. vi) Do not green manure with Dhaincha in root knot nematode infested fields. Note: Dip treatment should be conducted in shade and stems should not be immersed in solution. 41  15. BRINJAL Climate and Soil Brinjal requires a long and warm growing season. The plant is sensitive to frost injury. Chilling weather for a long time may also damage the crop. A well drained and fertile soil is desirable for growing brinjal. It is a hardy plant and can be grown on different kinds of soil but does best on silt loams and clay loams. However to raise an early crop sandy or sandy loam soil is preferred. Improved Hybrids/Varieties Round Fruited Punjab Neelam (1998) : It is ready for first picking in 65 days after transplanting. Plants are medium in height erect, thornless, foliage is green with purple tinge, fruits are oval-round, medium-sized and shining dark purple in colour. It is suitable for transplanting in February and August. Average yield is 140 q/ acre. Oblong Fruited PBHR-41 (2016) : Plants are medium-tall, thornless, green foliage with purple, tinge. Flowers are purple and borne solitary. Fruits are round, medium-large in size, shining, deep purple with purple green calyx. It matures in 65 days and average yield is 269 q/acre. PBHR-42 (2016) : Plants are medium-tall, thornless and foliage green. Flowers are purple and borne solitary. Fruits are oval-round, medium in size, shining, purple-black with green calyx. It matures in 65 days and average yield is 261 q/acre. BH-2 (1994) : Leaves of this hybrid are green and purplish. Plants are medium, erect, spreading and thornless. Its fruits are oblong and deep purple. Average weight per fruit is 300 g. It is highly suitable for cooking as ‘bhartha’. It is tolerant to fruit borer. Average yield is 235 q/acre. Long Fruited Punjab Raunak (2018) : It is an early maturing variety. Its plants are medium in height, compact, thorn-less with green 42 foliage. Flowers are purple, borne in cluster and solitary. Fruits are long, medium, thin, shining and deep-purple with green calyx. Its average yield is 242 q/acre. PBH-5 (2017) : It is an early maturing F1 hybrid of long fruit group of brinjal. Its plants are medium in height, compact, thorn-less with green foliage. Flowers are purple and borne in clusters. Fruits are long, medium-sized and shining-purple with green calyx. Its average yield is 255 q/acre. PBH-4 (2015) : Plants of this hybrid are medium tall, compact and thornless. Foliage green, flowers purple and borne in cluster and solitary. Fruits are long, medium sized, shining and purple- black with green calyx. It is early in fruiting and average yield is 270 q/ acre. Punjab Barsati (1987) : This variety takes about 64 days from transplanting to the first harvesting. Its plants are dwarf, erect and thornless. The leaves are medium-long and shining purple. Its average yield is 140 q/acre. It is more tolerant to fruit-borer and is most suitable for transplanting in rainy season. Punjab Sada Bahar (1987) : This variety takes about 76 days from transplanting to the first harvesting. Its plants are dwarf, erect and thornless. The leaves are green. The fruits are long, thin and deep purple. Its average yield is 125 q/acre. It is good for summer, autumn and also as ratoon crop. It is comparatively tolerant to fruit-borer. Small Fruited Punjab Bharpoor (2020) : Its plants are medium-tall, compact, thorn less with green foliage. Flowers are purple, borne in heavy clusters. Fruits are small-oblong, shining, deep purple with green calyx and borne in cluster. It is resistant to bacterial wilt disease. Its average yield is 224 q/acre. PBH-3 (2013) : The plants of this hybrid are medium in height, compact and thornless. Foliage is green with purple tinge. Flowers are purple and borne in clusters. Fruits are shining purple of small size and oblong shape. It is comparatively tolerant to fruit borer. It is early in fruiting and gives 257 quintal per acre yield. 43  Punjab Nagina (2007) : Its plants are dwarf, semi-erect with dark green and spineless leaves. Its flowers are light-violet in colour with green calyx. Its fruits are shining, purple black, small, round and borne in clusters. This variety gives first picking in 55 days after transplanting. The average yield is 145 q/acre. Agronomic Practices Seed Rate : To plant an acre 300 to 400 g of seed is grown in one marla (25m ×1m) on raised beds. Sowing Time : The sowing time of four successive crops of brinjal is given below : 1. The nursery for the first crop is sown in October and seedlings are transplanted in November. 2. The nursery for the second crop is sown in November. It gives seedlings for transplanting in the first fortnight of February. The seedlings of this nursery are required to be protected against frost. 3. The seed for the third crop is sown in nursery beds in February-March. The seedlings are transplanted before the end of April. 4. The seed for the fourth crop is sown in the nursery beds in July and transplanting is done in August. Low tunnel technology : (see on page no. 141) Spacing : Rows are spaced 67.5 cm apart and plants are spaced 30-45 cm apart in the row. Manures and Fertilizers : Apply 10 tonnes of well rotten farmyard manure. Apply 25 kg of N (55 kg of Urea) 25 kg of P205 (155 kg of Single Superphosphate) and 12 kg of K2O (20 kg of Muriate of Potash) per acre. Apply all the fertilizers at transplanting. After two pickings, again apply 25 kg of N (55 kg of Urea) per acre. Irrigation : 1. Furrow Irrigation : First irrigation should be given immediately after transplanting. During summer irrigate the crop at 4-6 days interval whereas during winter season irrigate at 10-14 days interval depending on soil type. It requires 10-16 irrigations. 44  2. Drip Irrigation: Drip irrigation and mulching in brinjal results in saving of 50% water over conventional method of irrigation. Under this system, irrigation should be applied an interval of two days. For this system, broad beds are prepared at 1.20 m apart from centre to centre of furrow. These beds are 80 cm wide on the top and the furrows between the two beds are 40 cm wide. The beds are covered with plastic film (silver or black) of 25 micron thickness. Seedlings are transplanted on the bed at spacing of 60 cm and plant to plant spacing of 45 cm. One lateral pipe is used to irrigate two rows of plants. The drippers are spaced 30 cm apart and are operated at a discharge of 2.2 liters per hour as per following schedule: Month Time of irrigation (minutes)* August 36 September 40 October 60 November 68 *If discharge rate is different, time of irrigation may be adjusted proportionally by the formula:- 2.2 x Time of irrigation = ------------------------------- Discharge of dripper Fertigation saves 20% fertilizer. Apply 80 kg of Urea, 33 kg of Mono ammonium Phosphate (MAP) and 16 kg of Muriate of Potash (MOP) per acre. Start fertigation within first week of transplanting. 25% of the fertilizer should be applied during the first month in seven equal splits with every second irrigation (at four days interval). Remaining amount of fertilizer should be applied in 20 splits in equal doses from second month onwards. Harvesting, Care and Marketing Fully developed and tender fruits are harvested at weekly interval in the peak season. Packaging of brinjal fruits in paper moulded trays followed by wrapping with shrink and cling film improves the shelf life and maintains the quality under ordinary market for one week. 45 Seed Production The brinjal variety should be grown at least 200 metre apart from other brinjal varieties. Minimum three field inspections should be made, first at vegetative phase, second at flowering and fruiting and third before harvesting of fruits. Any off type and diseased plants should be removed. For seed production, the ripe fruits which turned yellow are crushed and stored overnight. The seeds are separated after washing with water and is finally sieved and dried. The washing is usually done in the morning so that the seed is dried during the day. The dried seed is packed and labelled. Plant Protection A. Insect Pests Pests and Control Measures Precautions Symptoms 1. Jassid (Amrasca To control brinjal shoot i) Pick regularly all ripe biguttula), Hadda and fruit borers, spray fruits before spraying. beetle (Epilachna 3-4 times at 14-days ii) All the infested fruits sp.) and brinjal interval using 100-125 should be picked and shoot and fruit litres of water/acre with destroyed. borer (Leucinodes any one of the following orbonalis) cause insecticides as soon as the iii) Do not ratoon the damage during attack starts. brinjal crop. May to September. i) 80 ml Coragen 18.5 SC iv) For the control of Plants attacked by (chlorantraniliprole) brinjal fruit and shoot jassid become pale borer, insecticides of the and finally bronze. ii) 80 g Proclaim 5SG (emamectin benzoate) same group should not be A large number of used repeatedly in order greenish adults and iii) 100 ml Sumicidin 20 to avoid the development nymphs are seen on EC (fenvalerate) of pesticide resistance and the lower surface of iv) 200ml Ripcord 10E appearance of secondary leaves. Hadda adults (cypermethrin) pests. and grubs feed on v) 160ml Decis 2.8 EC v) A waiting period of 3 the leaves. Shoot (deltamethrin) days for Proclaim and 7 infested with borer droop downwards For the management of days for Coragen should and dry up. Infested hadda beetle, regularly be observed after the fruits have a varying collect and destroy egg spray. number of holes. masses and skeletonised vi) Judicious use of leaves with adults and nitrogenous fertilizers, grubs. as higher doses make the plant prone to jassid attack. 46 2. Whitefly : In the beginning of crop i) The decision regarding Whitefly causes season on appearance spray of insecticides maximum damage of whitefly, 1-2 sprays should be taken based during July- of 1200 ml *PAU Neem on Economic Threshold September. Its adults Extract or 1500 ml maize Level (ETL). Record the and nymphs suck or sorgum or bajra juice whitefly population from sap from leaves and per acre should be given. three leaves one each excrete honey dew on If the attack is severe, from top, middle and leaves which become spray 200 g Pegasus bottom canopy from 10 sticky. Affected 50WP (diafnthiuron) per randomly selected plants leaves turn black acre in 100-125 litres of from middle in each of the due to development water. four quarters of one acre of sooty mould. *Method of Preparation before 10 AM. In case, the of PAU Neem Extract: mean whitefly population Boil 4.0 kg terminal parts reaches economic of the shoots of Neem threshold level of nine trees including leaves, adult per leaf, spray the green branches and fruits crop with recommended in 10 liters of water for insecticides. 30 minutes. Then filter ii) Regularly pick all ripe this material through fruits before spraying. muslin cloth and use the iii) A waiting period of filtrate for spraying at the 1 day for Pegasus 50WP recommended dose.