VARIETY :  CO 1

SEASON : Can be sown in Coimbatore, Pollachi, Udumalpet, Dharmapuri, Krishinagiri and Hosur regions during July- December. Not suitable for very hot and very cold climates.

Yield Potential and Quality Characters

I.  PREPARATORY CULTIVATION

1. PLOUGHING

      Plough three or four times with country plough to obtain good tilth.

2. APPLICATION OF FYM

      Apply and spread FYM or compost at 12.5 t/ha

3. FORMING BEDS

        Form beds of size 10 m2 or 20 m2 depending on the availability of water and slope of land.

4. APPLICATION OF FERTILIZER

5. SEED RATE

20 kg/ha

6. SPACING

25 cm x solid sowing

7. WATER MANAGEMENT

Irrigate immediately after sowing, life irrigation on the third day and thereafter once in a week.

8. WEED MANAGEMENT

Hand weeding is given as and when necessary.

9. PLANT PROTECTION

      a)    Generally not recommended
b)      Wherever the parasite Cuscuta is observed uproot the affected plants along with the soil and burn

10. HARVESTING

First harvest 75 - 80 days after sowing. Subsequent harvests are made at intervals of 25 - 30 days.

11. GREEN FODDER YIELD

                80-100 t/ha in 12-13 cuttings/year

12. SEED YIELD

                150-200 kg/ha