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) Manures 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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.