About Lesson
Land Preparation
- Need well tilled, weed free, fine, firm, compact, properly drained soil for proper root penetration.
- 1-2 ploughing followed by 3-4 harrowing to remove weeds and stubbles of previous crops.
- In paddy fields: 2-3 rough deep ploughing followed by 2-3 harrowing to break clods and prepare fine tilth.
Selection and treatment
- Select true to type, bold, free from inert matter, optimum viable, vigor and moisture containing seed.
- Treat with broad spectrum safe fungicide like Thiram or Captan @2-3 g/kg seed.
- Soak in water for 12 hr and shade drying: discards lighter seed and obtain uniform germination.
- Treat with Azospirrilum @ 100g/kg seed.
Sowing time
- For rainfed cropping: June to July.
- For summer cropping: January- February (even in March)
Sowing method
- Broadcasting, Drilling and Line sowing.
Spacing
- 30-45 x 10-15 cm
- Branched type: 60 x 10 cm
Sowing depth
- 2-5 cm ideal. But it can be increased to 10 cm if surface soil is very dry.
Seed rate
- Optimum plant population: 3,00,000-4,00,000 plants/ha
- Under irrigated condition: 4,00,000-5,00,000 plants/ha
- Line sowing: 5-7 kg/ha
- Broadcasting: 9kg/ha
