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.
|
|
| Celery is a Rabi
season crop; it requires cool climate during growth
stage and warm dry climate during maturity. It can
be cultivated in all most all types of soils but
well drained loamy soil suits well. Generally, this
crop is cultivated by following transplanting method.
Nursery is raised during November and seedlings
are transplanted in main field in early January.
Flowering takes place during March and seeds mature
by end of April. |
| 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 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. |
| Celery seedlings
should be transplanted at a spacing of 45 cm x 20
cm. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| There are no incidence
of any major insect pests and diseases in this crop. |
| 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.
|
| 1000 to 1200 Kg/ha. |
