FENNEL (Package of Practices)
| Fennel generally known as Saunf (Foeniculum vulgarisa) belongs to Apiacae family, which is mainly cultivated in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. It is used as condiment and culinary spice. Fennel is cultivated in about 25,000 ha with a production of about 30,000 MT in our country. |  |
1. Varieties:
Improved varieties like PF-35, Guj. F-1 and Guj.F-2 etc. give better yield than the old varieties. Time taken to reach maturity stage by fennel varieties PF-35, Guj. F-1 and Guj. F-2 as Kharif crop are 216, 208 and 207 days respectively.
2. Nursery operations:
i) Land preparation for nursery: The land should be brought to fine tilth by 2-3 ploughing. For transplanting one hectare land, nursery should be raised in 100 sq. meter area. 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 nursery.
ii) Sowing time and seed rate: 15th June is suitable time for sowing of seeds in nursery. 2-2.5 kg seeds per 100 sq.m area should be broadcasted / sown in the nursery beds. Seed should be treated with organo-mercurial fungicides like Ceresan or Captan @ 3 gm per kg seed before sowing. To get good germination beds should be covered with plant waste for up to 12 days. Tender seedlings should be protected from direct sunlight, till they are under danger, by erecting temporary shed over the bed. When seedlings are free from the danger of sunlight, temporary shed should be lifted.
iii) Manurs and Fertilizers: 250 kg F.Y.M, 0.6 kg Nitrogen and 0.3 kg Phosphorous should be applied per 100 sq. m nursery area. Whole quantity of FYM should be mixed in soil at the time of land preparation and whole dose of Nitrogen & Phosphorous should be used applied as basal dose. Supplementary dose of urea can be applied 3 weeks after germination of seeds, if seedlings are very weak.
iv) Weeding: For control of weeds in nursery, 1 - 2 hand weeding should be done depending on weed growth.
v) Irrigation: First light irrigation should be given just after sowing and second after 3 to 4 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 2-3 days. About 45 days old seedlings are used for transplanting.
8. Plant Protection:
a) Diseases
In Nursery:
Damping of seedlings: Damping off is a fungal disease. Infected plants show symptoms of dehydration / wilting. Drenching of nursery beds with Blitox @ 20 g per 10 litre water should be done to control this disease effectively.
After transplanting
i) Collar rot: This disease appears in those plots where water stagnation near the plant stem is more. Collar portion of the plant start decaying and the plants turn to yellow colour & die later on. Drenching by 1% Bordeaux mixture (3:3:50) or spray with 0.2% solution of any copper fungicides should be done to control the disease. Avoid water stagnation in the field.
ii) Ramularia Blight: At the begining of this disease small ashy spots are observed on the leaves. These spots get enlarged and turn into brown colour. In case of severe attack whole plant turns to brown colour, resulting in drying up of plant. At the initial stage spraying of 0.2 % solution of Dithane-M-45 is effective to control this disease. Add 1 ml soap solution / liter of water for better efficacy. Subsequently, 2-3 sprayings should be done at an interval of 10 to 15 days on need basis.
iii) Sugary Secretion: It is a physiological disorder, due to which flowers secrete sugary substance; attracting fungus from outside. Due to this disorder, quality and production of crop is affected. This phenomenon is observed in those plots which have been highly manured and irrigated were under heavy dewfall and cold condition. Sugary secretion spreads on flower parts, stem etc. Due to this mold and other fungus develop on plants causing black and gummy appearance. The sugary secretion, attracts aphids too and these insects attack the plants. Combined effect of above gives false appearance of disease, but really sugary secretion is not a disease. For the control of this disorder, stop irrigation and manuring. Spraying of 0.03% solution of Dimethoate or 0.05 % solution of Phosphamidone or any systemic pesticide should be done to control the aphids.
b)Pests:
After transplanting
i) Aphids: Aphid sucks the sap of tender parts of plants and affects the growth, adversely. Spraying of 0.03% solution of Dimethoate or 0.05 % solution of Phosphamidone or any systemic pesticide should be done to control the aphids.
ii) Seed midge: Seed midge is a small dark shining insect having two transparent wings. It affects the fennel seeds. Female of this insect lays eggs on the ovary of flowers which hatches and small caterpillar comes out of seed. To control this pest spraying of 0.07% solution of Endosulphan at the flowering stage should be done. Spraying of Endosulphan should be repeated twice at an interval of 10 days.
iii) Heliothis: This insect damages foliage and succulent parts of plant severely . For effective control of this pest, spraying of 0.07 % solution of Endosulphan or 0.04 % solution of Monocrotophos should be done.
9. Harvesting:
Harvesting is done by cutting the umbels as and when they reach to physiological maturity (when seeds are fully filled up & green in colour). After cutting the umbels they are dried in partial shade. While drying, care should be taken for better aeration and umbels should be turned if necessary. The seeds are separated by beating the dry umbels with sticks followed by winnowing. Grading is done with the help of sieve or vibrator. For seed purpose, fully matured umbels are harvested.
10. Yield: 2000 to 2500 Kg/ha.
1. Nursery operations:
a. Land preparation for nursery: The land should be brought to fine tilth by 2-3 ploughing. Nursery should be raised in about 150-200 sq. m land for transplanting one hectare area. Manures and fertilizers should be mixed in the soil properly at the time of land preparation. Beds of 3 m x 1 m size should be prepared for raising of nursery.
b. Sowing time and seed rate: Suitable time for sowing of seeds in nursery is from last week of August to 1st week of September. 2.5-3.0 kg seed should be sown in the nursery beds per 150 – 200 sq. m area. Seed should be treated with any organo-mercurial fungicides like Ceresan or Captan @ 3.0 g per kg seed before sowing. To get good germination beds should be covered with plant waste. Tender seedlings should be protected from direct sunlight, if there is any danger.
c. Manures and Fertilizers: 375 to 500 kg FYM, 1.0-1.2 kg Nitrogen & 0.5-0.6 kg Phosphorous should be applied per 150 - 200 sq. m nursery area. Whole quantity of FYM should be mixed in soil at the time of land preparation and Nitrogen & Phosphorous should be used as basal dose. Supplementary dose of Nitrogen can be given 3 weeks after germination of seeds, if seedlings are very weak.
c. Manures and Fertilizers: 375 to 500 kg FYM, 1.0-1.2 kg Nitrogen & 0.5-0.6 kg Phosphorous should be applied per 150 - 200 sq. m nursery area. Whole quantity of FYM should be mixed in soil at the time of land preparation and Nitrogen & Phosphorous should be used as basal dose. Supplementary dose of Nitrogen can be given 3 weeks after germination of seeds, if seedlings are very weak.
d. Weeding: For control of weeds in nursery, 1 - 2 hand weeding should be done depending on weed growth.
e. Irrigation: First light irrigation should be given just after sowing and second after 3 to 4 days after sowing and then light irrigations are given to keep the soil moist up to full germination as per requirement. Later on irrigations should be given at an interval of 2-3 days. About 40-45 days old seedlings are used for transplanting.
2. Land preparation & transplanting:
Land should be brought to fine tilth by one ploughing followed by 2 or 3 harrowing and planking. Transplanting of seedlings 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 fennel is around 15th October.
3. Spacing:
Fennel seedlings should be transplanted adopting a spacing of 45 x 10 cm.
4. Manurs and Fertilizers:
20 MT of F.Y.M., 90 kg Nitrogen and 45 kg Phosphorous per ha is recommended for Rabi transplanted fennel. Whole quantity of F.Y.M. should be mixed in the soil at the time of land preparation and half dose of Nitrogen (45 kg) and full dose of Phosphorous (45 kg) should be applied as basal dose. Remaining 45 kg Nitrogen should be applied as top dressing in two equal splits of 22.5 kg each at an interval of 30 days and 60 days (at the time of earthing up) after transplanting.
5. Interculture:
First intercultural operation/hoeing should be done 20-25 days after transplanting. Intercultural operations should be repeated twice based on need at an interval of 20-25 days. Earthing up is done after 60-75 days of transplanting to check the lodging of plants. If necessary 2 to 3 hand weedings should also be done.
6. Irrigation:
Generally 8-10 irrigations are given to Rabi fennel crop 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 February.
7. Plant Protection: Similar to Kharif crop.
1. Land Preparation:
One ploughing followed two harrowing and planking should be done to bring the soil to fine tilth for sowing of drilled fennel crop (Rabi). Stubbles of previous crop should be removed.
2. Sowing time & Seed rate:
Optimum time for sowing is around 15th October. 5-6 kg of seed/ ha is required for sowing drilled fennel crop.
3. Spacing:
45 to 60 cm. between the line and 10 to 15 cm between the plants.
4. Manuring & Fertilizers:
25 MT of F.Y.M., 90 kg Nitrogen and 45 kg Phosphorous per ha is recommended for Rabi drilled fennel. Whole quantity of FYM /ha should be mixed in the soil at the time of land preparation. Half dose of Nitrogen (45 kg) and full dose of Phosphorous should be applied as basal dose. Remaining 45 kg of Nitrogen in two equal splits of 22.5 kg each should be top dressed at an interval of 30 days and 60 days after sowing.
5. Sowing :
i) Sowing after irrigation: Suitable beds should be prepared and irrigated. Under vapsa condition, two harrowing followed by planking should be done. Basal dose of Nitrogen & potash should applied by drilling in lines. To achieve good germination, seed should be soaked in water for 8 hours and dried in shade before sowing. Seeds also should be sown by drilling in lines at appropriate depth. Light irrigation should be given after 6 to 7 days. Seed germinates after 12 to 14 days.
ii) Dry sowing: Seeds should be drilled in lines 45 cm apart at a depth of about 1.0 cm & irrigated after preparing suitable beds Second irrigation should be given after 7-8 days from the first irrigation.
6. Interculture and earthing up:
For control of weeds; 2 or 3 hand weeding should be done on need basis. First light intercultural operation should be undertaken 20-25 days after sowing. Second and third intercultural operation should be done after 40 to 60 days from sowing. At the time of third intercultural operation harrow should be adjusted in such a way that it can throw sufficient soil near the base of the plants to supplement the earthing up operation.
7. Irrigation:
8-10 irrigations should be given to Rabi drilled fennel crop depending on soil and climate. Irrigation at the time of seed development is critical, therefore due attention should be given. First irrigation should be applied on the day of sowing, second light irrigation after 7 to 8 days from 1st irrigation and subsequent irrigations should be given at an interval of 15-20 days up to February.
8. Plant protection:As in Kharif fennel.
9. Harvesting:
Rabi crop is raised for market type produce. Hence, harvest the crop should be done when 70% umbels reach at physiological maturity, by cutting upper half portion of the plants. Harvested plants should be dried & seeds are separated by thrashing followed by winnowing.