FENUGREEK

Fenugreek is native of south Europe. It is also known as Methi. In Asia, its leaves are used for vegetable purpose and its seed are used for flavoring purpose. Tea prepared from crushed seeds has medicinal value. Fenugreek helps to reduce blood sugar and cholesterol. It is a rich source of Vitamin A and C. It is also used for fodder purpose. In India, Rajasthan is major fenugreek growing state and contribute about 83% of total fenugreek production. Other major fenugreek producing states are, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

It can be grown in all type of soil rich in organic content but give best result when grown in well drained loamy or sandy loam soils. It can tolerate pH of range 5.3 to 8.2.

Palam Somya: It is an early maturing variety. It gives an average yield of 31qtl/acre of green leaves which gets ready in 55-60 days and 6.25-8.4qtl/acre of seeds which gets ready in 175-180 days. Plant has medium height and is fast growers. The variety is good to be used as spices. 

Pusa Kasuri: It is a medium height plant. 2-3 harvesting is done. It gives an average yield of 37.5-42qtl/acre. The variety gets ready in 50-60 days.

Kasuri Methi: Plants are spreading type, soft leaves and more aromatic, small seed variety. Leaves are used as spices after drying them. It gives an average yield of 25-32qtl/acre.

IC-74: Straight plants, soft leaves and large size seeds. Seeds can be used as spices by crushing them. It gives an average yield of 32-42qtl/acre of green leaves.

Other state varities

ML 150: The plant leaves are dark green, also bears more pods. Seeds are bright, yellow and bold. It is also used for fodder purpose. It gives an average yield of 6.5qtl/acre.

PRM 45 (Pratap Raj Methi): Developed by Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology. It gives good result when grown on sandy loam to heavy soils. It is resistant to lodging.  

Rmt-1: Developed by Rajasthan Agriculture University. It give higher yield near about 4-8 qtl/acre compaired to other verieties.

Other commercial variety: Kasuri, Methi No 47, CO 1, Hissar Sonali, Methi no 14. Pusa early bunching, Rajendra Kranti

HM 219: High yielding variety, gives average yield of 8-9qtl/acre. It is resistant to powdery mildew disease.

Plough the land for two - three times and bring soil to fine tilth. After then carry out planking operation to make land leveled and uniform. Add 8-10 ton/acre of well decomposed cow dung at time of last ploughing. For sowing, prepare flat beds of 3x2m.

Time of sowing
Low areas: August-November
Intermediate areas: August-October
High areas: April-July

Spacing
Use row spacing of 25-30cm.

Sowing Depth
Sow seeds on bed at depth of 1-1.5 inch.

Method of sowing
For sowing broadcasting or line sowing method is used.

Seed Rate
For Kasuri Methi variety, use seed rate of 6 kg/acre and for IC-74 variety use seed rate of 8kg/acre.

Seed treatment
Before sowing, soak seeds in water for 8-12 hour. To protect seeds from soil born pest and diseases, treat them with Thiram@4gm/kg of seed or Carbendazim 50%WP@3gm/kg of seed. After chemical treatment, treat seeds with Azospirillum@600 gm/acre + Trichoderma Viride@20gm/acre for 12kg of seeds.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

For good growth apply 11kg of Nitrogen (22kg of Urea), 17kg of phosphorus(105kg of Superphosphate) and 19kg of potash (32kg of MOP) per acre. Drill all  fertilizers in soil at time of sowing. For high fertile soil, reduce dose of Nitrogen. Always do soil testing to know nutrient requirement of soil.  

To attain fast growth 15-20 days after germination take spray of Triacontanol hormone@20ml/10Ltr. Also one spray of N:P:K(19:19:19) fertilizer@90gm/15 Ltr of water at 20 days of sowing helps in good and faster growth of crop. To obtain more yields, spray Brassinolide@50ml/acre/150Ltr water, 40-50 days after sowing. Take its second spray after 10 days. To protect plant from frost injury gives two sprays of Thiourea @150gm/acre/150 Ltr of water at 45 & 65 days after sowing.

For good growth, generally five to seven irrigations are required. Apply irrigation on 30th day, 70-75th day, 85-90th and 105-110th day after sowing. Water stress at pod development and seed development stage leads to heavy loss in yield so avoid water stress at this stage.

Give one or two hoeing’s operations to keep field weed free. Take first weeding 25-30days after sowing and second 30 days after first weeding. To control weeds chemically, pre-plant application of Fluchloralin@800 ml/acre is recommended or for weed control spray with Pendimethalin@1.3Ltr/acre, by mixing in 200Ltr water within 1-2days of sowing at proper soil moisture. 

When plant is about 4 inch height, do pinching operation, it will encourages branching.

• Pest and their control

Aphid: If Infestation of Aphid is observed, to control take spray of Imidacloprid@3ml/10Ltr water or Thiamethoxam@4gm/10Ltr of water.

• Diseases and their control

Root rot: To protect crop from root rot, as preventive measure do soil application of Neem Cake@60kg/acre. Also treat seeds with Trichoderma viride@4gm/kg of seed. If infestation of root rot, observed in field to control, drenched soil with Carbendazim @5gm/Ltr of water or Copper oxychloride@2gm/litre of water.

Powdery Mildew: Patchy, White powdery growth appears on upper surface of leaves.

If infestation is observed take Spray of water soluble Sulphur@20gm/10Ltr of water. If needed repeat spray with interval of 10days. Or take spray of Penconazole10EC(Topas)@200ml/acre/200Ltr of water.

For vegetable purpose, harvesting of crop can be started from 20-25 days after sowing whereas for grain purpose, harvesting is done 90-100 days after sowing. For grain purpose, harvest when lower leaves turn yellow and starts shedding and pods turn to yellowish color. For harvesting purpose, use sickle. 

After harvesting, tie crops in bundle and allowed to dry in sunlight for 6-7 days. After proper drying, carry out threshing after then cleaning and grading operation. After then grains are filled in bags and stored in damp free aerated space.