Vegetable Production Introduction l 2 Vegetable Production most

Vegetable Production

Introduction l 2 Vegetable Production most interesting part of agriculture but also most demanding in terms of work – Even more than Dairy because picking has to be done correctly

Nursery l Every farm needs a permanent nursery to raise seedlings & saplings – l 40% Black Shade-Net best – – l l 3 Off season vegetables can also be grown in nurseries e. g. Coriander, Methi in summer Temp. in black cooler by 4 -5 degree while in Green only, 3 degree lower Shade Nets can also be used for early or late planting Raised beds best for large farms Seed trays good for kitchen gardens & small farms

Nursery l Sieved Leaf Mould Compost best for nursery beds & seedling trays – – – – l Green Manuring very good to stabilize the beds – – 4 Pile the leaves – no other amendments not even cow dung Cold method of composting Water regularly every 10 -15 days Takes a year. No need to speedup process – don’t even add CPP Weeds will be less Has no pathogens. Has beneficial fungi which prevents root rot Termite action produces very beneficial enzymes Grow only for 25 days Grow in alleys also

Nursery – Raised Beds l 6 -8 inches high, 3 feet wide with 1. 5 feet walkways between adjacent beds – – 5 Never walk on the beds only in the walkways Beds take an entire season to stabilize (3 -4 months) Beds should never be dismantled only repaired Keep length same e. g. 15 feet so you can start keeping the exact count of the seed.

Nursery – Raised Beds l Making Bed – – Pure, seived leaf mould compost best for nursery beds – has no pathogens First time or whenever the beds are empty broadcast & grow variety of green manure crop for 25 days, cut & use as mulch l l l – l 6 This is like feeding nutritious salad for the bed Horse gram, Moong , cow pea etc. will decompose in 5 -10 days & bed is ready for sowing Makes soil soft and workable and allows roots to go deep enough Make Bed->Add leaf compost (1 inch height of compost)-> Work it in -> Add more leaf compost Edges can be stabilized with wooden planks but not really required. – Bricks not the best – Expensive & will disintegrate

Nursery – Green Manuring & Mulching l Green Manuring very good to stabilize the beds – – l Grow in alleys also – – l A little bit of trampling is no problem Use cuttings as mulch on the adjacent bed Mulching can be done after the plants are xxx high XXX ? ? ? – – 7 Grow only for 25 days Cut & spread on bed Decomposes within 5 -10 days & sowing can happen after that Roots decompose & provide paths for earthworms & roots of following plants e. g. 40 days for XXX Keeps the soil temperature temperate (cool in summer & warm in winter) Weeds are suppressed Micro-life increases esp. Earthworm population

Nursery Beds - Seed Sowing l Prepare the seeds for sowing – – – l l 8 Wash thoroughly if seeds have been chemically treated Soak in Cow Urine for 30 minutes Shade Dry Sprinkle CPP For Tomatoes etc. sprinkle Trichoderma to protect against root rot Sowing Depth is 4 times the seed thickness Make depression to required depth using a straight rod

Nursery Beds - Seed Sowing l Sow the seed at the specified spacing – – – l Fill the depression with leaf mold compost – 9 Space occupied by the seedling at 4 -6 leaf (transplanting)stage determines spacing If spacing too close, the seedlings will be thin, unhealthy & because of poor aeration prone to pest attacks Proper spacing will usually take care of pest and disease Will help even if seeds buried deeper by mistake

Nursery Beds - Seed Sowing l Water using garden hose, rose can or micro sprinkler to water twice a day for 10 -12 days – – l Cover with paddy straw (or thin leaves or net) till seeds start germinating – – – 10 Drip is not suitable Too much pressure can uproot the seedlings Keeps the seeds warm & provide the required darkness esp. Celery, Leek & Onion Remove cover after germination

Nursery Beds – Seedling Care l After 10 -12 days (2 -4 leaf stage), water only once a day – – – l l 11 This hardens the seedlings and they have better root formation Dr. Patel prefers morning watering because the Dew (0 TDS water) can be incorporated Evening watering can cause fungal problems For snail problems use thin layer of Hydrated Lime (Chunna) around the nursery or in the alleys For other pest problems, neem oil spray or gliricidia liquid manure will usually suffice

Nursery Beds – Seedling Care l For Thinning don’t pull out – – l Weeding very essential. – – – l Atleast 2 -3 weedings required before transplanting Fill soil (Earthing) around the seedlings at the time of the weeding With Leaf Mold Compost, less weeds Harden the seedlings by removing the shadenet at least 6 -7 days before transplanting. – – 12 Disturbs the roots of the seedlings Either nip or cut with scissors Otherwise you will lose 15 -20% Seedlings will be too thin. They will droop and not come up properly

Raised Beds For Transplanting & Direct Sowing l 6 -9 inches high, 3 feet wide with 1. 5 feet walkways between adjacent beds – – – l Edges can be stabilized with wooden planks but not really required. – 14 Never walk on the beds only in the walkways Beds take an entire season to stabilize (3 -4 months) Beds should never be dismantled only repaired Bricks not the best – Expensive & will disintegrate

Raised Beds For Transplanting & Direct Sowing l Making Bed – – – – Cultivate the land Spread Compost at rate of XXX/acre Tie strings to mark the beds & walkways Take soil (about 3 -4 inches) from walkway & heap in the bed area evenly Level the bed & the walkway using a rake Spread more compost on the bed First time or whenever the beds are empty broadcast & grow variety of green manure crop for 25 days, cut & use as mulch l l 15 l This is like feeding nutritious salad for the bed Horse gram, Moong etc. will decompose in 5 -10 days & bed is ready for sowing Do this in the walkways as well - Will result in better drainage & prevent water logging

Drip Irrigation l l l Use two lines at 12 inches separation per a raised bed of 3 feet width Filter is essential to keep out the sand silt Right Pressure (1 kg. /sq. cm. at the end points) essential Savings of 30 -40% water & yields increase by 50% Less labor involved compared to Flood irrigation – l 16 With flood, there is soil erosion and weeds in channels Clean filter every 15 days and also the end plugs

Transplanting l l l Best time to transplant when 4 -6 leaf stage Harden by removing shade-net from top for at least 2 days to acclimatize the plant Remove seedlings so that the roots are surrounded by the original soil & Micro. Organisms. – l Transplant in evening after 4: 00 p. m. (2 hours before sunset) & during descending – – – l 17 Drench with CPP solution If oversize, nip off the leaves to reduce transpiration losses – l Plant gets whole night to recover Otherwise seedling takes 7 -8 days to recover instead of 5 days Spacing depends on size that it spreads eventually Water immediately – l Put the roots and soil in container with CPP solution Cabbage, Cauliflower can go way inside When Sowing & Transplanting you have to personally monitor

Fertilizing – Dispensing Cow Washings l l 19 The cow washings should be put in the alleys & not directly onto the raised bed A gentle gradient will help dispense the cow washings effectively

Direct Sowing l For very small seeds like celery, carrot etc. add equal amount of fine sand dribble – 22 Carrots take long time to germinate so a few radish (red) seeds are added as markers so the lines can be easily identified