SUNHEMP

Sunnhemp is quick growing leguminous crop cultivated for green manure as well as for fibre purpose. When it is mix well in soils, it prevents leaching and loss of nutrients, also conserved soil moisture. Sunnhemp is originated in India. It can be grown in adverse climatic conditions of drought, alkalinity and salinity. It can be used for making of strings, ropes, floor mat, fishing net etc.

For fibre purpose, it is cultivated all over India. Uttar Pradesh is major state having Sunnhemp cultivation for green manuring purpose and other states are Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. For fodder purpose, it is cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and in some areas of Punjab.  

Varanasi, Pratapgarh, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Allahabad, Fatehpur, Hamirpur, Pilibit and Moradabad are major sunhemp growing districts of UP.

Narendra sanai 1: Ready to harvest in 152days. Leaves are broad, green, flowers are yellow and seeds are bold and black color. 45-60 days after sowing, crop is buried in soil for green manuring purpose and thus adds 3.8-6.2 tones/acre of green biomass in soil. Gives average seed yield of 3.9qtl/acre.  

Jabalpur: Recommended for cultivation in whole UP and MP.

K 12 (Black): Black seeded variety, gives average yield of 4-4.8qtl/acre. It is ready to harvest in 100-120days.

K 12 (Yellow): Gives resistant to wilt disease. Gives average yield of 4-6qtl/acre.

SUN 037: Early maturing variety. Gives resistant to wilt and mosaic disease. gives average yield of 4-4.8qtl/acre.

SS 11: Gives higher fibre yield compared to K12 Yellow.

SH 4: Selection from local type. Gives higher fibre yield compared to K12 Yellow

SUN 053: Gives average yield of 4.8qtl/acre.

JRJ 610: Suitable for irrigated as well as rainfed areas. Gives average yield of 4qtl/acre.

Other States Variety

Ankur: Gives average yield of 4.4-4.8qtl/acre.

Swastik: Gives average yield of 4-4.8qtl/acre.

Shailesh: Gives average yield of 4-4.8qtl/acre.

T 6: Suitable for green manuring purpose.

M-18: Early maturing variety. It is resistant to drought. 

PAU 1691: Ready to harvest in 136days. Leaves are medium size, green color, flowers are yellow and seeds are bold and black color. 45-60days after sowing crop is buried in soil and adds green biomass of 4 - 6.5tonnes per acre. Gives average seed yield of 4.8qtl/acre.

To bring soil to fine tilth, plough land properly with soil turning plough. Before sowing, ensure soil have sufficient moisture i.e. near about 35%. Proper moisture in soil helps in good germination of seed.

Time of sowing
For irrigated areas, optimum time for sowing, is from second week of April to May end. For rainfed areas, complete sowing with onset of monsoon.

Spacing
For green manuring purpose, use spacing of 20cm (row to row) x 4cm (plant to plant).
When crop is grown for fibre purpose, use spacing of 30cm x 10cm whereas for seed purpose use spacing of 45cm x 12.5cm.
 
Sowing Depth:
Sow seed at depth of 3-4cm.

Method of sowing
Broadcasting method is used in case of green manuring purpose and seed drill is used when crop is grown for seed purpose.
 
 

Seed Rate
For green manuring purpose, seed rate of 20-25 kg/acre is sufficient and for seed purpose, use seed rate of 10-12 kg/acre.
For fiber purpose, use seed rate of 24 kg/acre.

Seed Treatment
Before sowing of seed, soak seed in water for overnight. It will help in better germination of seed. To protect seedlings from various pest and disease, treat seed with Carbendazim@3 gram per kg of seed.
 

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

For seed purpose as well as for green manuring purpose, apply Phosphours@16-24 kg/acre i.e. SSP@100 kg-150 kg/acre. As it is leguminous crop, nitrogen fertilizer is not given. But some time, initially to boost up crop, Nitrogen@6-8 kg/acre i.e. Urea@15-20 kg/acre. is applied.

To keep check on weed population, take one hoeing one month after sowing.

Apply Fluchloralin 45EC@ 800 ml/acre in 130-150 litre of water and apply in field before seed sowing. For effective weed control, do pre-emergence application of Pendimethalin @800 ml/acre.
 

Apply first irrigation 25 days after sowing. Afterward, depending upon need provide two to three irrigation within 25-30 days. When crop is grown for green manure purpose, it required two - three irrigation depending upon weather conditions. Flowering and grain development stages are crucial for irrigation when crop is grown for grain purpose. Avoid water stress during this period.

• Disease and their control:
  

Sunnhemp Wilt: Select wilt resistant variety. Treat seed with Carbendazim@3 gram per kg of seed. If observed in field, take spray of Carbendazim@2 gram/litre of water.
 

Anthracnose: Use resistant variety. Before sowing do seed treatment. Take spray of Carbendazim@2 gram/litre of water at seedling stage.
 

• Pest and their control:
  

Top Shoot borer: As a preventive measure, spray of Quinalphos@300 ml/150litre of water per acre is done for two times.
 

Sanai caterpillar: If infestation is observed, take spray of Quinalphos@30 ml per 15litre of water.

For grain purpose, harvesting is carried out 150days after sowing. When crop is raised for green manuring purpose, 45-60days after sowing buried crop in soil.