Ajwain also called bishops weed or carom seed is popular spice grown worldwide. In India, it is used in preparing various dishes of pulse, vegetables and pickles etc. Also it is added in the rotis, parathas, biscuits etc. Along with spice purpose, it also possesses medicinal property. Ajwain contains thymol content which is having antiseptic and bactericidal properties. It helps to speed up digestion process, maintain good heart health. Roasted ajwain is helpful in treating migraine. Along with domestic use, ajwain has great export potential.

In India, Gujarat and Rajasthan are major ajwain growing states. Rajasthan produces about 90% of India’s total production. Other states like Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal also grow ajwain.
 

It can grow on variety of soils from heavy clay to light loamy soils. It cannot grow in waterlogged conditions, so avoid such soils for cultivation.

Pant Ruchika: The variety is released in 2001 by Pantnagar Agricultural University. The plant attains the height of 80-90cm. The variety is sown in end week of October to mid-November. The variety matures in 175 days and it gives an average yield of 2.9qtl/acre.
 
NP 151: The seeds contain 40% oil content. The variety is released by IARI, New Delhi.

Guntur local: It takes more time for maturing. It gives an average yield of 3.1qtl/acre.

Liam Selection 1: The plant attains the height of 90-100cm. The variety matures in 120 days. It is early maturing variety. It gives an average yield of 4.7qtl/acre.

Liam Selection 2: The plant attains the height of 92cm. The variety matures in 132 days. It gives an average yield of 4.8qtl/acre.

AA 1: The variety matures in 160 days and the seeds contain 3.4% oil content. It gives an average yield of 5.8qtl/acre.

AA 2: The variety matures in 150 days and it gives an average yield of 5.4qtl/acre. The seeds contain 3% oil content.

Local varieties:

Desi Ajwain: The grains are extra big sized grains. It has two types; extra-long sized seeds and medium sized seeds.

Nadiad Ajwain: This variety has very small seeds. It is known as good variety. 
 

To bring soil to fine tilth, plough land for four to five times and then planking is done to make soil level. For sowing seeds prepared beds of 3x3metre.

Time of sowing
Optimum time for sowing is from September to November.

Spacing
For line sowing, use spacing of 15-20cm between two rows. Use plant to plant distance of 20cm.

Sowing Depth
Broadcasting method is used.

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

Seed Rate:
For sowing one acre land, seed rate of 1-2 kg is sufficient.

Seed treatment:
Before sowing, treat seeds with Thiram or Carbendazim@2gm/kg of seeds.
 

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Add cow dung@4-5tonnes/acre at the time of first ploughing. Add nutrient dose of Urea@20kg/acre and DAP@12kg/acre. 1/3rd dose of nitrogen and full dose of phosphorus should be given for sowing. Rest of the nitrogen dose is added in two equal splits; one is given at the time of weeding and second is given after 60 days of sowing.

Apply irrigation depending upon soil type and climate.

To keep check on weeds, do frequent weeding, hoeing operations. To control weeds chemically, immediately after sowing take spray of Pendimethalin@800ml/acre. Then carry out first weeding, 30-35 days after sowing.

• Pest and their control:
  

Aphid: They suck sap from the leaf. They excrete honey like substance and developed Sooty mold.

To control take spray of Diamethoate 30EC@200ml/acre. If necessary repeat spray with interval of 10-15days. Or take spray of Thiamethoxam 25WG@40gm/acre. If necessary take second spray of it.

 

• Disease and their control:
  

Fusarium wilt: Plants become stunted, yellowed, followed by defoliation. Yellowing first occurs around leaf edges and advances inward. It affects at all stage of crop.

Use resistant variety to control Fusarium wilt. Avoid monocropping and follow proper crop rotation. Provide good drainage.

Blight and Downy Mildew: If infestation is observed in field, take spray of Mancozeb@2gm/Ltr of water. If necessary, take second spray 20days after first spray.

Powdery Mildew: Patchy, white powdery growth appears on lower side of leaves, branches and pods. It parasitizes the plant using it as a food source. It can develop at any stage of crop development. In severe infestation it causes defoliation.

If infestation is observed, take spray of Carbendazim 50WP or Tridemorph@2gm per Ltr of water. If needed repeat the spray with interval of 10-15days.

When the seeds start turning brown harvesting should be done. It gives an average yield of 2.9-3.3qtl/acre seeds for local varieties and 4.5-5qtl/acre seeds for improved varieties.

After proper drying and cleaning, sorting and grading of seeds is carried out.