| Fenugreek commonly known as “Methi” (Trigonella foenum graecum) belongs to Fabaceae - Family. Major producing states are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. It is used as a condiment for flavouring of foods. It has got medicinal value, hence used as medicine. Another species of fenugreek known as “Kasuri” or “Champa Methi” (Trigonella corniculata) belonging to same family is also cultivated in some states of India. |  |
Improved varieties of fenugreek are Guj. Methi-1, Rmt-1 (Rajasthan Methi), Prabha(NLM), Methi No.47, Methi No.-14, Rajendra Kranti (RM-16), Co-1, UM-34, UM-35, Kasuri, and Kasuri Selection.
Sowing and Seed rate:
Sowing may be done from 2nd fortnight of October to 1st fortnight of November, but first fortnight of November is the best sowing time. 10-15 kg of seeds per ha are required for sowing. Seeds should be soaked in water for 6 to 8 hrs and dried in shade before sowing to hasten germination. Complete germination of seeds takes about 6-8 days time.
A spacing of 30 cm between lines and 8-10 cm plant to plant should be maintained while sowing of seeds or broadcasting.
Manures & Fertilizers:
10-15 MT of F.Y.M., 40 kg Nitrogen and 20 kg Phosphorous per ha is recommended for fenugreek. Whole quantity of FYM should be mixed in soil at the time of land preparation. Half dose of Nitrogen and full dose of Phosphorous should be applied as basal dose and remaining 20 kg Nitrogen at an interval of 30 days after sowing.
In broadcasted crop, plants should be thinned to maintain the plant distance about 8-10 cm. 2 to 3 weeding are required to fenugreek crop. One weeding and hoeing should be done about 20-25 days after sowing. Intercultural operation during the early stage of plant growth minimizes weed competition. 2nd weeding should be done 45-50 days after sowing.
4-6 irrigations depending on soil type and climate should be given to fenugreek crop. Pre-sowing irrigation should also be given, if moisture level of the soil is not optimum for seed germination. First irrigation should be given at the time of thinning and subsequent irrigation at an interval of 20-25 days.
a) Pest:
Aphid: Aphid
sucks the sap of tender parts of plants and affects the growth, adversely.
Spraying of 0.03% solution of Dimethoate or 0.025% solution of Methyl
demetone or 0.04% solution of Monocrotophos is recommended to control
the aphid. If the crop is grown for green (vegetable) purpose then spray
Malathion.
b) Diseases:
Powdery mildew: This disease appears usually in later stage of crop and becomes serious when pod formation takes place. In this disease, white powdery patches appear on the lower and upper surface of leaves and other parts of plant. Crop should be dusted with 300 mesh Sulphur dust @ 25 kg/ha to control this disease as soon as the symptoms are noticed. Spraying of wettable Sulphur or Dinocap (Kerathan or Thiowet) can also be used to control the disease @ 20-25 g per 10 liter of water at the initial stage of this disease. If needed two more sprays should be given at an interval of 15 days after first spray.
ii) Downy Mildew: This disease occurs during February and March. Yellow patches on the upper surface of leaves appear in the infected plants and white cottony mycelium on the lower surface of leaves. This disease can be controlled by spraying of 0.2% solution of Difoltan or any other copper fungicide.
Crop becomes ready for harvest in about 120-150 days. At the time of ripening/maturity, leaves and pods become yellowish and leaves start falling. Timely harvesting is very important for this crop as late harvest leads to seed losses due to pod bursting, whereas in early harvest, the grains remain immature and small. Harvesting should be done early in the morning. After harvest, plants should be dried in threshing yard and threshed by trampling under the feet of bullocks. Seeds should be separated and cleaned by winnowing.
1800 to 2000 Kg/ha.