- Address : Iranaimadu Junction, Kilinochchi
- E- Mail : rardcnr@yahoo.com
- Telephone : +94 212 285406
- Fax : +94 212 285406
REGIONAL AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRE – KILINOCHCHI
OUR CROPS
ONION
ONION
Recommended varieties:
Thirunelvely Red, MICLO-1
Cultivars: Vethalam, Jaffna local, Gal Vethalam, Muri Vethalam, Kundu Vallarai
Climate Requirements:
- Onion Species prefer a dry climate
- Annual rainfall of less than 750mm
- Dry period of 30 to 40 days at the later stages of crop production
- The day must be longer than 12 hours
Soil: Onions perform better in well drained sandy loam and sandy clay loam soil. It can be cultivated in Reddish Brown Earth, Calcic red latosol, Regasols, Alluvial and Non-calcic brown soil by adapting suitable soil management practices. pH should be 6.5 – 7.8
Seed Requirements:
– True seeds – 5-6 Kg /ha (Vethalam, MICLO-1)
- Seeds bulbs – 1500 – 1750Kg/ha
Spacing:
- Bulblets/seedlings – 8 Cm x 8Cm, 10Cm x 10Cm
- Bulblets for Bolting – 15 Cm x 15Cm
Land Preparation:
Raised bed- Maha season, Sunken bed- Yala season
Nursery Control:
- Mid March to mid May is suitable for seed sawing.
- Well drained loamy soil with direct sunlight land suitable for nursery preparation.
- The nursery should be sterilized (burning, solarization, chemical) before seeds sawing.
- 30- 40 g of seeds need for 3m x 1m x 15 Cm of the plot.
- 15 Kg of Compost, 5g of Urea, 15 g of TSP, and 10 g of MOP should be added to a nursery plot before seeds sawing.
Planting: Bulbs- 40 days old bulbs, Seedlings- 40 days old seedlings
Seeds Treatments
- Captan / 1Kg of True seeds
- Seedlings should be dipped 15 minutes in 2% Homai solution
- Seed bulbs should be dipped 30 minutes in 2% Homai solution
Fertilizer:
Urea (Kg/ha) | TSP (Kg/ha) | MOP (Kg/ha) |
|
Basal (1-2 days before) | 65 | 100 | 50 |
3 weeks after planting | 65 | – | – |
6 weeks after planting | 65 | – | 25 |
Water Supply:
- Moisture should be kept under saturation level.
- Sprinkler irrigation system is more suitable for the water supply.
- Water supplement should be stop in 2 weeks before harvesting
Weed Control:
- One day after planting – Alachlor (480g/l) or 2 – 12 days after planting
- Oxyfluorfen should be applied to the wet soil. This is enough up to 3-4 weeks of weeds management.
- After that hand weeding should be done. Especially, weeding should be done before the fertilizer application.
Insect Control:
Leaf eating caterpillar:
Green parts of the leaves are eaten and enter to the inside of leaves and damaged it.
Management:
- Continuous inspection and destroying egg mass.
- Hand picking and destroying larva.
- Application of recommended insecticides.
Thrips
- Leaves become yellowing
- Curl the leaves at the severe stage
- Nymphs and adults can be seen on the base of the leaves
Management
- Growing of barrier crops like maize around the field
- Application of sticky traps
- Application of recommended insecticides.
Disease Control:
Purple Blotch (Alternaria porri)
Small spots appeared earlier and gradually they become to large with purple colour appearance. Leaves, flowers and scapes are infected by this. High Relative Humidity, rainy and dark environment favor to disease. Under these conditions, disease spread rapidly.
Management
- Healthy planting materials should be used.
- Seeds treatments should be done before planting.
- Crop rotation.
- Seasonal establishment.
- Select well drain land for cultivation.
- Remove the infected plant parts from the field and burn them.
- Chemical control
Antracnose / Twister (Colletotrichum gleosporidus , Fusarium oxysporum)
Curl the leaves at the growth stage of the plant and leaves become to light green color. Oval shape patches can be seen on the leaves. Leaves become to dry. At the severe stage decay the bulbs Rainy moist environment favorable to the disease
Management
- Healthy planting materials should be used.
- Seeds treatments should be done before planting.
- Crop rotation.
- Seasonal establishment.
- Select well drain land for cultivation.
- Remove the infected plant parts from the field and burn them.
- Chemical control
Harvesting:
- Application of chemicals should be stopped 3 weeks before harvesting and supplying of water should be
- stopped 2 weeks before harvesting.
- After 50% of leaf folding of the plants, press the rest of the plants by using a wooden plate. 2 weeks after that, plants should be harvested.
- 75 – 90 days after planting can be harvested. It depends on the variety.
- 2- 3 days should be cure under shade condition. Should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
- Clean the bulbs by removing dry leaves. Cut the leaves with remaining 1’’ of neck area.
- Stored in wooden/mesh cages with well ventilation.
- Onion can be stored as hanging the bunches.
- Regular inspection is essential. Decaying and sprouting bulbs are removed at the time of inspection.
Yield: Average Yield- 15-20t/ha
Nutrition: One cup of chopped onion provides:
- 64 calories
- 9 grams (g) of carbohydrate
- 16 g of fat
- 0 g of cholesterol
- 72 g of fiber
- 78 g of sugar
CHILI
CHILI
RECOMMENDED VARIETIES
MI 35, Wijaya, Waruni, Dhawala, Bombay, ANKCP 01, ANKCP02
CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS
Cowpea is a warm weather crop which grows at temperatures between 20c to 30c
SOIL
- Cowpea can be grown on a wide range of soil, from predominantly sandy loam to clay ranging from acidic to basic (pH 4.5 – 8.0).
- Sandy to clay loam soil and well drained with a pH of 6-7 Cowpea are highly sensitive to water logging.
SEED REQUIREMENTS
35 – 40 kg/ha
SPACING
One plant /hill with a spacing of 30 cm between rows 15 cm between plants.
LAND PREPARATION
One ploughing followed by a harrowing ensures good weed control and a suitable seed bed
PLANTING
Rain-fed plant directly on flat or raised beds. Plant manually or with a row seeder on ridges or flatbeds depending on field drainage
FERTILIZER
- Basal: urea -35 kg/ha-1
- Triple super phosphate -100kg/ha
- Muriate of portash -75 kg/ha
- Top dressing: 30kg/ha of urea at onset of flowering
WATER SUPPLY
Frequency of application Every 4 days during first 3 weeks and then every 7 days
WEED CONTROL
3 and 6 weeks after planting weeding is usually manual.
INSECT CONTROL
- Pod borers – Apply chemical Fulubendaimied
- Aphid – Apply chemical propinophos
DISEASE CONTROL
Anthracnose – Control
- Use disease free seed
- Avoid dense planting
- Use a fungicide recommended for Rhizoctonia
Collar rot
- Use a recommended fungicide as a soil drench.
- Avoid continuous cropping of cowpea on the same field.
HARVESTING
Can be harvested using a harvester or by hand in 75-90 days after planting, pods turn brown in colour.
YIELD
1500-1700 kg/ha
GROUNDNUT
RECOMMENDED VARIETIES
Tissa, tikiri, indi, KCGN 1, lanka jumbo,walawa, ANKG 1, RED SPANISH
CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS
Groundnut is a crop cultivated in highlands under rainfed conditions in Maha season and in paddy lands under irrigation during Yala season in dry and intermediate zones.
SOIL
Well-drained sandy loam or clay loam soil. Deep well-drained soils with a pH of 6.5 – 7.0 and high fertility are ideal for groundnut. One ploughing to a depth of 15-20 cm followed by two or three harrowing may be required to make a seedbed with a fine tilth.
SEED REQUIREMENTS
Seed rate
Walawa- 130kg/ha (with shell) 100kg/ha (without shell)
Other varieties- 100 kg/ha (with shell) 70 kg/ha (without shell)
SPACING
Spacing : 45 x 15 cm one Plant/hill
LAND PREPARATION
One ploughing to a depth of 15-20 cm followed by two or three harrowing may be required to make a seedbed with a fine tilth.
PLANTING
Time of planting: Maha – October; Yala – April
FERTILIZER
Urea kg/ha TSP kg/ha MOP kg/ha
Basel dressing 35 100 75
Topdressing (at flowering) 30 – –
WATER SUPPLY
In the first three weeks, irrigate once in four in four days and thereafter irrigate once in 10-12 days. After seed filling and maturing, stop irrigation
WEED CONTROL
Three and six weeks after planting weed control is needed. In the second weeding earthing up is needed.
INSECT CONTROL
Leaf eating caterpillars
– Termites
– Thrips
Use recommended chemicals
DISEASE CONTROL
Diseases / Pest | Symptoms | Control |
Early leaf spot |
|
|
Late leaf spot | Black colour leaf spots | |
Rust | Orange colour pustules can be seen on lower surface of the leaves | |
Stem rot | – Sudden wilting of a branch which is completely or partially in contact with the soil | – Remove affected plants and destroy. It is needed to treat soils and seeds chemically
|
Bud Necrosis Disease (BND) | – Necrosis of the terminal bud | – Plant time is important. Late planting may be a cause for disease |
HARVESTING
Harvesting period can be decided by,
– According to the age of the variety
– When the foliage turns to yellow colour
– 75-80% of pods of a plant are matured
– When the internal surface of the pod is brown in colour
YIELD
Tissa Average yield 2500-2700 kg ha-1
Potential yield 3775 kg ha-1
Walawa Average yield 2800-3500 kg ha-1 Potential yield 3483 kg ha-1
NUTRITION
Raw Roasted Defatted flour
Calories (g) 564.0 582.0 371.0
Proteins (g) 26.0 26.0 45.0
Fat (g) 47.5 48.7 5.8
Carbohydrates (g) 18.6 20.6 30.0
Calcium (mg) 69.0 72.0 127.0
Phosphorus (mg) 401.0 401.0 800.0
Iron (mg) 2.1 2.2 33.5
Thiamine (B1)(mg) 1.14 0.32 0.75
Riboflavin (B2)(mg) 0.13 0.13 0.35
Niacin (mg) 17.2 17.2 2.5
COWPEA
RECOMMENDED VARIETIES
MI 35, Wijaya, Waruni, Dhawala, Bombay, ANKCP 01, ANKCP02
CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS
Cowpea is a warm-weather crop that grows at temperatures between 20c to 30c
SOIL
- Cowpea can be grown on a wide range of soil, from predominantly sandy loam to clay ranging from acidic to basic (pH 4.5 – 8.0).
- Sandy to clay loam soil and well-drained with a pH of 6-7 Cowpea is highly sensitive to waterlogging.
SEED REQUIREMENTS
35 – 40 kg/ha
SPACING
One plant /hill with a spacing of 30 cm between rows 15 cm between plants.
LAND PREPARATION
One plowing followed by a harrowing ensures good weed control and a suitable seedbed
PLANTING
Rain-fed plant directly on flat or raised beds. Plant manually or with a row seeder on ridges or flatbeds depending on field drainage
FERTILIZER
- Basal: urea -35 kg/ha-1
- Triple superphosphate -100kg/ha
- Muriate of potash -75 kg/ha
- Topdressing: 30kg/ha of urea at the onset of flowering
WATER SUPPLY
Frequency of application Every 4 days during the first 3 weeks and then every 7 days
WEED CONTROL
3 and 6 weeks after planting weeding is usually manual.
INSECT CONTROL
- Pod borers – Apply chemical Fulubendaimied
- Aphid – Apply chemical propinophos
DISEASE CONTROL
Anthracnose – Control
- Use disease-free seed
- Avoid dense planting
- Use a fungicide recommended for Rhizoctonia
Collar rot
- Use a recommended fungicide as a soil drench.
- Avoid continuous cropping of cowpea on the same field.
HARVESTING
Can be harvested using a harvester or by hand in 75-90 days after planting, pods turn brown in color.
YIELD
1500-1700 kg/ha
FINGERMILLET
RECOMMENDED VARIETIES
rawana, oshadha
CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS
Finger millet is an important food crop grown in rain-fed uplands in the Dry zone and Intermediate zone of Sri Lanka. Interesting crop characteristics of finger millet are the ability to withstand cultivation at altitudes over 2000 meters above sea level. The optimal average growth temperature range is 18- 27 °C but it can withstand up to 360 C (Pollen viability up to 360 C). Finger millet can be cultivated where receives an average rainfall of 500 mm per year requirement for growth and development. It is one of the few crops that can be grown in low land paddy fields during Yala season if water logging is prevented
SOIL
Finger millet grows well in all well-drained soils but silt loams are the most desirable. Finger millet can be cultivated in moderately acidic soils (pH 5), also moderately alkaline soils (pH 8.2). It grows well on Reddish-brown earth, Calcic red yellow latasols, and sandy regosols
SEED REQUIREMENTS
Broad casting 6-8 kg/ha
Row seeding 3-4 kg/ha
Transplanting 2-3 kg/ha
SPACING
30cm x 15cm
LAND PREPARATION
- Millets were traditionally grown on newly cleared Chenas during rainy (Maha) and are usually sown without land preparation
- Higher yields can be obtained in cultivated fields if the soil is worked to a fine tilt with a disc harrow or mammoty.
- On uplands, seeds should be planted in moist soil and protected from biological hazards.
- The raised beds are prepared to protect the plant from water lodging. The basin beds are prepared during the Yala season for irrigation.
NURSERY CONTROL
- Well-drained loamy soil with direct sunlight land suitable for nursery preparation.
- The nursery should be sterilized (burning, solarization, chemical) before seeds sawing.
- 30- 40 g of seeds need for 3m x 1m x 15 Cm of the plot.
- 15 Kg of Compost, 5g of Urea, 15 g of TSP, and 10 g of MOP should be added to a nursery plot before seeds sawing.
PLANTING
- Broadcasting – Finger millets are commonly sown by broadcasting
- Row seeding – Row seeding permits easy weed control and higher yield. Sow seeds thinly in rows 30 cm between two rows and final spacing of one plant every 10-15 cm excess seedlings should be thinned out 2-3 weeks after seeding to set the final spacing as 10-15 cm between plants in a row.
- Transplanting 18-21days old seedlings can be planted in rows 30 cm apart to get a plant to plant spacing of 10-12 cm.
FERTILIZER
Basal dressing (at planting) | Topdressing (4-5 weeks after planting) | ||
Fertilizer | Rate (kg/ha) | Fertilizer | Rate (kg/ha) |
Urea | 65 | Urea | 130 |
TSP | 55 | ||
MOP | 82.5 |
WATER SUPPLY
Irrigation is provided once every 4-5 days until seedlings are established. During the dry period supplementary irrigation is provided at weekly intervals
WEED CONTROL
Millet seedlings are slow-growing and require a weed-free environment up to 45 days to develop vigorous plants. Seedlings in rows facilitate weed control.
INSECT CONTROL
Stem borer- Chilo partellus
The damage starts from the seedling stage and continues till maturity.
Symptoms: – Formation of death heart which results from drying of a central shoot in the vegetative stage.
Drying of panicles causing white ears
Control Measures: Early planting during Maha season
Use of recommended nitrogen fertilizer levels
Removal and destruction of dead heart at the initial stage of infestation
Plough the field immediately after harvest to kill larvae and pupae
Use of recommended insecticides
Ethopenfox 10 EC – 15ml/10l of water
Novaluron10 EC – 10 ml/10l of water
Methomyl 40% SP – 20g /10l of water
Thiodicarb 375 SC – 20ml /10l of water
Aphids – Rhopalosiphum maidis
Symptoms :- Yellowing of leaves
Stunned plants
Bluish-green Aphids colonies present on the central leaf whorl and ears
Control measures:- Destroy crop debris after harvesting
Use of recommended insecticides
Thiamethoxan 25 WG – 3g / l0l of water
Imidaclopid 70 WG – 1.3g/10l of water
DISEASE CONTROL
Blast
Causal organism – Pyricularia grisea (Magnapothe grisea)
Losses -: Heavy blast damages could be observed especially during Maha season in the dry and intermediate zone of Sri Lanka
under heavy rainfall conditions
Symptoms -:
The disease occurs at all the stages of the crop as leaf, neck and finger blast. If the young seedlings are infected, they give burnt appearance and death of the plants due to severe leaf blast. In leaf blast disease appears on leaf lamina with typical spindle-shaped spots and severe infestation spots enlarge and gave a blasted appearance. In neck blast, neck region gets attacked blackened and may break away from the point of infection. In finger blast, infection occurs on fingers starting from the apical part to base and shriveled blackened seeds may result.
Control measures:- Use of blast resistant/ Tolerant varieties Eg- Oshadha (Moderately resistant)
- Seed treatment with fungicides
- Avoid dense plant population
- Avoid applying heavy nitrogen (N) fertilizer
- Apply recommended fungicides to control Magnaporthe grisea pathogens
- When disease symptoms showing Chemical controlling
- Tricyclazole 75/WP – 6g /10l of water (200-250g / ha)
- Tebuconazole 250g/l – 6ml/10l of water (200-250 ml / ha)
- Carbendazim 500g/l SC- 7 ml/10l of water (225-275 ml/ha)
HARVESTING
Harvesting can be done, when 80 % of the ears become brown in color
Grains are separated by threshing after sun drying
YIELD
2-3 t/ha (Transplanting method)
Seed can be stored in sacks or gunny bags at room temperature for about one year without losing viability
NUTRITION
Nutritional component 100 g of finger millet
Moisture 18.1 %
Energy (Kcal) 328
Proteins (g) 7.3%
Fat (g) 1.3%
Carbohydrates (g) 72%
Calcium (mg) 844
Prosperous (mg) 283
Iron (mg) 6.4
Carotene (mcg) 42
Thiamine (mcg) 420
Riboflavin (mcg) 190
Niacin (mcg) 1.1
BLACKGRAM
BLACKGRAM
RECOMMENDED VARIETIES
MI 01
Anuratha
CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS
Suitable Climatic Zones Dry & intermediate
Prefer dry weather condition
Optimum T between 25 C – 35 C
SOIL
pH 6-7
Well-drained sandy loam soil
Suitable Climatic Zones Dry & intermediate
SEED REQUIREMENTS
30 kg/ha
SPACING
Space between rows – 30cm
Between plant in a row – 10cm
LAND PREPARATION
Plough and harrow the land.
Make ridges or flatbeds according to the water supply
PLANTING
Plant 2 seeds/hill and thin out weaker plants after 10-12 days
FERTILIZER
Basal dressing: Apply and incorporate into the soil before sowing.
Urea 35, Triple superphosphate 100, Murate of potash 75 kg/ha
Topdressing: Apply at flowering (about 30 days after sowing)
Urea 30 kg/ha
WATER SUPPLY
Irrigation Proper soil moisture is important for good and uniform germination (first 3 weeks). In dry conditions, the water supply should be done at 3-4 days intervals. After 3 weeks, irrigation should be done at 7 days intervals. At pod maturing time water supply should be cut down. Sufficient moisture is essential during germination, flowering, and seed
WEED CONTROL
Keep the crop free of weeds in the first 6 weeks from seedling emergence, until the canopy is established. Before application of top dressing, weeding should be done
INSECT CONTROL
Pod borers – Apply chemical Fulubendaimied
Aphid – Apply chemical propinophos
DISEASE CONTROL
Anthracnose
- Use disease-free seed
- Avoid dense planting
- Use a fungicide recommended for Rhizoctonia
Collar rot – 1. Use a recommended fungicide as a soil drench.
- Avoid continuous cropping of cowpea on the same field.
HARVESTING
Harvesting should be done when 90% of the pods turned black color,
Cut the plants using a sickle and keep them one day in the field to dry.
YIELD
Average yield 2.5 t / ha
NUTRITION
Black gram is one of the rich sources of vegetable protein and some essential minerals and vitamins for the human body
GREENGRAM
GREENGRAM
RECOMMENDED VARIETIES
MI 6, MI 7, Harsha
CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS
Suitable Climatic Zones Dry & intermediate
Prefer dry weather condition,
T between 25 C – 35 C
SOIL
Optimum soil requirement pH 6-7
Well-drained sandy to loam soil
SEED REQUIREMENTS
30 kg/ha
SPACING
Space between rows – 30-40 cm
Between plant in a row – 10cm
LAND PREPARATION
Plough and harrow the land.
Make ridges or flatbeds according to the water supply
PLANTING
Plant 2 seeds/hill and thin out weaker plants after 10-12 days
FERTILIZER
Basal dressing: Apply and incorporate into the soil before sowing.
Urea 35, Triple superphosphate 100, Murate of potash 75 kg/ha
Top dressing: Apply at flowering (about 30 days after sowing)
Urea 30 kg/ha
WATER SUPPLY
Irrigation Proper soil moisture is important for good and uniform germination (first 3 weeks). In dry conditions, the water supply should be done at 3-4 days intervals. After 3 weeks, irrigation should be done at 7 days intervals. At pod maturing time water supply should be cut down. Sufficient moisture is essential during germination, flowering, and seed
WEED CONTROL
Keep the crop free of weeds in the first 6 weeks from seedling emergence, until the canopy is established. Before application of top dressing, weeding should be done
INSECT CONTROL
Pod borers – Apply chemical Fulubendaimied
Aphid – Apply chemical propinophos
DISEASE CONTROL
- Anthracnose –
- Use disease-free seed
- Avoid dense planting
- Use a fungicide recommended for Rhizoctonia
Collar rot –
- Use a recommended fungicide as a soil drench.
- Avoid continuous cropping of cowpea on the same field.
HARVESTING
Can be harvested using a harvester or by hand
in 60-75 days after planting, pods turn brown in color.
YIELD
Average yield 2.5 t / ha
NUTRITION
Green gram is one of the rich sources of vegetable protein and some essential minerals and vitamins for the human body
MAIZE
MAIZE
RECOMMENDED VARIETIES
MI Hy 01
MI Hy 02
Pasipic
CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS
By establishing the crops with the onset of the rainy season, temperatures between 18°C and 27°C
SOIL
Deep, loamy, fertile soils, rich in organic matter, are preferred for satisfactory growth. Well-drained soils with adequate moisture supply are required for the uninterrupted growth of this crop.
SEED REQUIREMENTS
20kg/ha
SPACING
For maize seeds are planted at 60cm x 30cm one plant per hill or Maize also can be planted at 60cm x 60cm with two plants per hill.
LAND PREPARATION
Deep plowing up to 45 cm is favorable for maize that has deep growth. Ridges can be made at 60cm apart for maize planting. Seeds are planted on ridges to avoid water logging in heavy rainy periods. Sufficient drains are provided to drain off excess water during rainy periods.
PLANTING
Planting is done either by hand or mechanically, and it may be done on hills or in rows, on ridges, or on flat land. 1-3 seeds of maize are planted
FERTILIZER
Urea -225 kg/ha
Phosphate – 100 kg/ha
Muriate of Potash – 50 kg/ha
WATER SUPPLY
During dry periods, irrigations are required every 4-7 days depending on the severity of the drought and type of soil.
WEED CONTROL
Weeds could be controlled by manual methods such as weeding and application pre-and post-emergent weed killers. Crops need to be maintained weed-free at least until the flowering stage.
INSECT CONTROL
stem-borer – Field sanitation
armyworm and apply recommended chemical
aphids
DISEASE CONTROL
Root and stalk rots and foliar diseases such as leaf blight and sheath blight are common on humid days in maize.
HARVESTING
Can be harvested using a harvester or by hand,
Crops are harvested, shelled, and cleaned manually when grain moisture is low and after physiological maturity is reached. Seed moisture is lowered by sun-drying to a safer level before shelling the seeds.
GUAVA
GUAVA
RECOMMENDED VARIETIES
Bangkok giant, Horana red, Horona white
CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS
Annual rainfall 1000mm-4000mm, temperature 23oC- 28oC, suitable for dry intermediate and wet zones
SOIL
Sandy to clay loam soil
SPACING
5m*5m
LAND PREPARATION
Deep plowing
FERTILIZER
N:P2OJ : K2O, 12:14:14 mixture
WATER SUPPLY
If used Basin Irrigation, irrigated 4 days interval, can be used Drip Irrigation
INSECT CONTROL
Fruit fly – covering immature fruits with bag, harvest before fully matured.
Thrips – use a systemic insecticide
DISEASE CONTROL
Scab – (pestatotia spp)
Use of copper fungicides
Wilt disease – (Macrophoma spp and Fusarium spp)Uproot and removal of diseased plants parts & destroy
GRAPES
GRAPES
RECOMMENDED VARIETIES
Israel blue, Muscat MI, French MI
SOIL
Well-drained, deep soils
SPACING
8m*4m pandol system
LAND PREPARATION
The size of the planting hole is 1m X 1m X 1m and should be filled with a mixture of topsoil and well-decomposed cow-dung at a ratio of 1:1. Spacing varies with the vine training system adopted.
PLANTING
Planting should be done with the onset of a dry spell.
WATER SUPPLY
Basin Irrigation- Irrigated 4 days interval or can be irrigated with
INSECT CONTROL
Vine girdler cuts the mature vines; can be controlled
Paddle legged bug, feed on young shoots and caused to dry off the shoots; can be controlled
DISEASE CONTROL
Powdery and downy mildew, damage the new shoots, leaves, flowers, and flower inflorescence. Can be controlled by adopting recommended cultural practices and using chemicals, (Metalaxyl, or Bordeaux mixture).
HARVESTING
The average yield is about 20-25 Mt/ha. After 3-4 years of establishment, a vine can produce over 30 Kg of fruits per year.
NUTRITION
N, P, K