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.

Pant Ragini: Released in 2001 by GBPA, University. It has straight legumes and per plant bears 200 legumes. The legumes mature in 175 days. It gives an average yield of 6qtl/acre.

Pusa Early Bunching: This is the most commonly grown variety. The variety is released by IARI, New Delhi. The variety matures in 156 days and is suitable for growing in all regions.

Kasuri Selection: Released by IARI, New Delhi. The variety matures in 156 days. The variety is suitable for growing in northern plains.

Liam Selection: It is more yield giving variety.

Kasuri: The variety is suitable for growing in northern plains.

Prabha (NLM): It gives an average yield of 6-8qtl/acre.

Methi No. 47 and Methi No. 14: In these varieties Vitamin C content is more.

Rajendra Kranti: It is an early maturing variety which matures in 120 days and it gives more yields i.e. 5-5.8qtl/acre.

CO 1: Released by Tamil Nadu agricultural university. The variety matures in 90 days. It gives an average yield of 2.8qtl/acre of seeds and 1.6-2qtl/acre of dried leaves.

UM 34: It is high yield giving variety.

UM 35: It is high yield giving variety.

RMT 1: It is also known as Rajasthani Methi. It gives an average yield of 6qtl/acre for seeds and the variety matures in 145 days. The variety is resistant to stem rot and powdery mildew.

Hisar Sonali: The variety matures in 140-150 days and it gives an average yield of 7qtl/acre.

Hisar Suvarna:  It gives an average yield of 6.6qtl/acre.

Hisar Madhvi: It is suitable for sowing both in irrigated and rainfed areas. It gives an average yield of 7.9qtl/acre.

Hisar Mukta: It gives an average yield of 8.3qtl/acre.
 

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
The optimum time for sowing is mid-October to mid-November month.

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
Use seed rate of 10kg/acre for sowing.

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)

At the time of ploughing, add well decomposed cow dung@4tonnes/acre. Before sowing, add nutrient dose i.e. nitrogen@27kg/acre in the form of Urea@12.5kg/acre, phosphorus@3.2kg/acre in the form of DAP@20kg/acre and potash@3.6kg/acre in the form of MOP @8kg/acre. Nitrogen dose is added in two equal spilts; first is added before sowing and second at the time of rouging.

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.

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. Moreover take spray of Penconazole10%EC (Topas) @200ml/acre in 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.