PACKAGE OF PRACTICES FOR CELERY:
| Celery (Apium graveolens) belongs to Apiaceae family. It is cultivated in about 8,000 ha in Punjab and some districts of U.P. Celery seed is used in ground form as dry seasoning powder and for extraction of oleoresin. |  |
No improved varieties are evolved.
Nursery operations:
i) Land preparation for nursery: The land should be brought to fine tilth by 2-3 ploughing. Nursery should be raised in about 200 sq.m area for transplanting one hectare land. Manures and fertilizers should be mixed in soil properly at the time of land preparation. Beds of 3 m x 1 m size should be prepared for raising nursery.
ii) Sowing time and seed rate: First fortnight of November is suitable time for sowing of seeds in nursery. 2.0 kg seed per 200 sq.m area should be sown in the nursery beds.
iii) Manurs and Fertilizers: 500 - 600 kg. FYM / 200 sq. m nursery area should be mixed in soil at the time of land preparation and 1.6 kg Nitrogen, 0.8 kg Phosphorous and 0.4 kg Potash should be applied as basal doze before sowing of seeds per 200 sq.m area.
iv) Weeding: For control of weeds in nursery, 2-3 hand weeding should be done depending on weed growth.
v) Irrigation: First light irrigation should be given just after sowing and second after 5 to 8 days after sowing and then light irrigations are given as and when required to keep the soil moist up to full germination. Later on irrigations are given at and interval of 10-15 days. Seedlings become ready for transplanting in about 50-60 days.
Land preparation & transplanting:
Land should be brought to fine tilth by 1-2 ploughing followed by 2 or 3 harrowing and planking. Transplanting of seedling in main field should be done during evening time and it should be ensured that optimum moisture is available in the soil. Suitable time for taking up transplanting of celery is first fortnight of January.
Spacing:
Celery seedlings should be transplanted at a spacing of 45 cm x 20 cm.
Manures and Fertilizers:
25-30 MT of F.Y.M., 80 kg Nitrogen, 40 kg Phosphorous and 20 kg potash per ha is recommended. Whole quantity of F.Y.M. should be mixed in soil at the time of land preparation and 40 kg Nitrogen and whole quantity of Phosphorous and Potash should be applied as basal doze in rows and remaining 40 kg Nitrogen should be applied as topdressing 30 days after transplanting.
Interculture:
Once crop is established; it require 3-4 hoeing to keep the weeds under check First intercultural operation/hoeing should be done 20-25 days after transplanting. Intercultural operations should be repeated thrice based on need at an interval of 20-25 days. If necessary 1 or 2 hand weeding should also be done.
Irrigation:
Celery takes long duration to reach maturity, hence, it requires 10-12 irrigation; depending on soil and climate. Irrigation at the time of seed development is critical, therefore due attention is needed. First irrigation should be applied on the day of transplanting and subsequent irrigations should be given at an interval of 15-20 days up to 1st fortnight of April.
Plant Protection:
There are no incidence of any major insect pests and diseases in this crop.
Harvesting:
Harvesting of plants should be done when about 80% umbels turn to light brown colour. After harvesting crop should be dried on clean surface and threshed to separate the seeds. Grading is done with the help of sieve or vibrator.
Yield: 1000 to 1200 Kg/ha.