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.
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| Fenugreek is a
Rabi crop, it require cool climate during vegetative
growth & warm dry climate during maturity. It
is tolerant to frost. It can be cultivated in all
most all types of soils but well drained loamy soil
suits well. For better growth and development of
fenugreek, soil pH should be 6.0 to 7.0. |
| 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. |
| Land should be
ploughed 2-3 times, followed by planking, to bring
the soil to fine tilth. Soil clods should be broken
and stubbles of previous crop should be removed. |
| 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. |
| 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: |
| i) 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.
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| 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. |
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