WATER CALTROP (SINGHARA)

It is an aquatic plant which is grown in hot and moist weather. The fruit contains starch, protein, beta-carotene and mineral element. Because of these, it is very healthy and nutritious fruit. Bangladesh, Myanmar, Africa, Malaysia and Sri Lanka are the major country growing Singhara. In India, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Orissa and Kashmir hills are major Singhara growing states. Its flour is used for making snacks, ice cream and in clothes industry.

Soil doesn’t play much important role in its cultivation as it is an aquatic plant. But it gives good yield when grown in water bodies which is rich is manures and fertilizers.

PCPGR No.7344: It gives an average yield of 44qtl/acre. The variety bears fruit for approximately 38 days. Fruits are light green-pink in color and fruits have an average weight of 27gm.

PCPGR No.7345: It gives an average yield of 33qtl/acre. The variety bears fruit for approximately 36 days. Fruits are deep pink in color and fruits have an average weight of 24gm.

PCPGR No.7346: It gives an average yield of 45qtl/acre. The variety bears fruit for approximately 38 days. Fruits are deep green in color and fruits have an average weight of 30gm.

PCPGR No.7347: It gives an average yield of 33qtl/acre. The variety bears fruit for approximately 34 days. Fruits are green in color and fruits have an average weight of 23gm.

PCPGR No.7348: It gives an average yield of 31qtl/acre. The variety bears fruit for approximately 34 days. Fruits are deep pink in color and fruits have an average weight of 22gm.
 

Prepare land by keeping soil flooded with having water 100mm-300mm throughout the growing period.

Plants are first grown in low nutrient nursery plot and then transplanting of stems is done which is about 300m tall. Trim the stem if they are too tall at the time of transplanting. While transplanting care should be taken so that seedling are kept on moist surface and not submerged. 

Time of sowing:
Sowing is done in February-March month.

Spacing:
Use spacing of 1-2m or 2-3m for seed sowing.

Depth of sowing:
Depth should be 15-20cm.
 

Propagation is mainly done through seeds. The matured nuts are placed in container containing little water. After some days the sprouted seeds are taken out and broadcast in the nursery tank. The seedlings are taken and planted in pond in the beginning of the monsoon.

Seed rate:
Use seed rate of 14-16kg/acre and for late sowing use seed rate of 16-20kg/acre.
 
Seed treatment:
Seeds are treated with Bavistin@3gm/kg seeds or Thiram@3gm/kg seeds for 2-3 hours.
 

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Application of nitrogen@27kg/acre (urea@60kg/acre), phosphorus@3kg/acre (DAP@20kg/acre) and potash@12kg/acre (MOP@20kg/acre) should be done to get higher yield.

Before transplanting, weeding should be done in June-July month. If weeds are seen in the pond after transplanting, remove them in 1-2 times.

• Pest and their control:
  

Water Caltrop beetle: This pest harms the crop in large amount. It harms the crop yield upto 40-60%. It mainly infects the crop in August-September month. It destroys the plant by eating the leaves and sometimes eats the fresh rhizomes and fruits.

Treatment: Broadcasting with methyl parathion@6-8kg/acre or Malathion@10kg is done at the interval of 15 days for 2-3 times in August-September month.
 

Blue water caltrop beetle: It mainly harms the crop in August-November month. It harms the crop by eating their leaves.

Treatment: Broadcasting with methyl parathion@6-8kg/acre or Malathion@10kg is done at the interval of 15 days for 2-3 times in August-September month.
 

Water caltrop aphid: It harms the crop in September-November month. It harms the crop by sucking its juice.

Treatment: Spraying of Rogor@2ml in 1 ltr water should be done to get rid of this pest.
 

Water caltrop borer: It harms the crop in July-November month. The pest enters the fruits and stem by making hole. It decreases the crop yield.

Treatment: Mix Ash powder@3.2-4kg and Sevin dust@800-1000gm for one acre land and use it to get rid of this pest.
 

• Disease and their control:
  

Brown leaf spot: Small brown color spots are seen on the leaves which ultimately become larger in size.

Treatment: Spraying of M-45@400gm at the interval of 8-10 days for 2-3 times should be done to get rid from leaf spots.
 

First two harvesting is done in September to October month at the interval of 10-12 days and then in November month harvesting is done once in a week and then after 15th November harvesting is done twice in a week.  It gives an average yield of 32-40qtl/acre.