Climate: It is a cold season crop and is fairly tolerant to frost and low temperature. It is cultivated both in tropical as well as temperate region. In India it is mainly grown as a rabi season crop but in South India, it is also grown as rainy season crop. It require moderately cool and dry climate for its proper growth and development.
Soil: Fenugreek can be grown in almost all type of soil having good drainage system and medium in organic matter content but it does best on loamy soils, such as loam and clay loam. A satisfactory crop of fenugreek can also be taken on black cotton soil.
Improved varieties:
(A) Rajasthan : AFg-1, AFg-2, AFg-3, AFg-4, RMt-1, RMt-143 , RMt-303
(B) Gujarat: GM-1, GM-2
(C ) Tamil Nadu :Co-1
(D) Bihar : Rajendra Kranti
(E) Andhra Pradesh: Lam Selection -1
(F) Haryana: Hisar Solani , Hisar Suvarna , Hisar Mukta and Hisar Madhavi
(G) Uttar Pradesh: Pant Ragini, Pusa early bunching and Pusa Kasari
Field Preparation: The land should be well prepared for better germination and growth of fenugreek. The land should be ploughed 4-5 times. The one ploughing should be done by soil turning plough followed by 2-3 ploughing with cultivator which are sufficient to bring the soil to fine tilth. The field should be made well leveled. There should be good moisture in the soil for better germination of seed. If there is problem of termite, then add Quinalphos 1.5% or Methyl Parathion 2% dust @25 kg/ha, before planting and incorporate it in the soil well.
Time of sowing: In general, fenugreek is sown during Mid Oct to Mid Nov. throughout the country. However, in South India it is grown as Kharif crop during mid June to last week of July
Seed Rate : Desi Methi.- 20-25 kg/ha and Kasuri Methi 8-10 kg/ha.
Seed treatment: Before sowing seed should be treated with Bavistin or Agrosan GN or Thiram @2.0g/kg seed or with Trichoderma @ 6.0g/kg seed. Seed treatment with Rhizobium meliloti culture should also be done after seed treatment with fungicide, if seed is sown in new field.
Sowing method: Fenugreek can be sown by broadcasting as well as line sowing. The broadcasting seed should be covered by the soil with the help of the rack and irrigation should be given immediately. The line sowing method is better because it facilitate proper inter cultural operation. In line, sowing method the line to line spacing must be kept 25-30 cm. While sowing care should be taken, that seed depth does not exceed 3-4 cm for proper germination of seed.
Manures and fertilizer:. Apply 10 t/ha FYM or7 .5 t/ha sheep manure/ha three weeks before sowing of the crop. Beside this 40 kg N/ha, 30-40 kg P2O5/ha and 20 kg K2O /ha should be applied in the soil before sowing. Fenugreek being the leguminous crop does not require top dressing of urea.
Irrigation: If there is less moisture, immediately after sowing then light irrigation should be given to facilitate germination otherwise first irrigation should be given after 4-6 leaf stage. During crop growth period irrigation interval should be kept 10-15 days depending upon weather & soil type. Application of seven irrigation at 1.0 IW/CPE ratio was found better in Gujarat condition for realizing higher yield of fenugreek.4-5 irrigation at 15-20 days interval are required for harvesting better yield of the crop. Application of irrigation at 4 days interval with drip is very effective for higher yield along with saving of water and nutrients. The weed may also be controlled by application of Fluchloralin as pre-plant incorporation soil @ 0.75 to 1.0 kg/ha.
Intercultural operation: In order to take good crop of fenugreek at least two weeding and hoeing at 30 and 60 days after sowing respectively are necessary. At the time of first weeding plant-to-plant distance of about 10 cm within the row should b adjusted. In broadcasted crop, also the excess plant should be removed to minimize plant competition.
Plant Protection
Insect pests
Aphids: Aphid attack fenugreek at flowering stage causing serious damage.The aphids should be controlled by application of systematic insecticide. Foliar spraying with 0.03% Dimethoate (30 EC) or 0.025% Thiamethoxam 0.005 % Imidachlorphid in 500 –600 liter of water/ha is effective for control of aphids in cumin. The spraying of the above insecticide may repeated at 15 days interval if problem of aphids persist.
Diseases
Powder Mildew: The powdery mildew in fenugreek may be controlled by dusting of Sulphur @20-25 kg/ha or spraying Karathane 0.1% or Wettable Sulphur 0.2% at 15 to 20 days interval during flowering.
Root Rot :It can be managed by adopting following practices
1. Deep Ploughing in summer
2. Adopt three year crop rotation
3. Seed Treatment
4. Use diseases free seed
5. Treat the seed with Trichoderma @ 6.0 g/kg seed
Downey Mildew: It is caused by Pernospra trigonellae, forming greyish white powdery patches on he under surface of the leaves and corresponding portion of upper surface becomes yellowish or necrotic. To control the downy mildew spray 0.2% Dithane M-45 or Phytolan at 10-15 days interval.
Harvesting and yield: Deshi methi for vegetable purpose is ready for harvesting in 20-25 days after sowing when the 3-4 leaves are formed in each plant, while Kasuri Mehti or champa methi is ready for harvest 30 days after sowing. The plants are cut at 2-3 c.m above the ground with a sharp knife. The cuts nipped portion are tied into bundles before marketing after 2-3 cutting plant are left for seed. The seed will shatter if the harvesting is delayed. The harvested plants are staked in bundles. After drying in the sun for 4 to 5 days, the seeds are separated by beating the plant at the threshing floor. By adopting improved package of practice an yield of 15-20 q/ha of deshi & yield of 7-8 q/ha of kasuri mehti can be obtained.
Soil: Fenugreek can be grown in almost all type of soil having good drainage system and medium in organic matter content but it does best on loamy soils, such as loam and clay loam. A satisfactory crop of fenugreek can also be taken on black cotton soil.
Improved varieties:
(A) Rajasthan : AFg-1, AFg-2, AFg-3, AFg-4, RMt-1, RMt-143 , RMt-303
(B) Gujarat: GM-1, GM-2
(C ) Tamil Nadu :Co-1
(D) Bihar : Rajendra Kranti
(E) Andhra Pradesh: Lam Selection -1
(F) Haryana: Hisar Solani , Hisar Suvarna , Hisar Mukta and Hisar Madhavi
(G) Uttar Pradesh: Pant Ragini, Pusa early bunching and Pusa Kasari
Field Preparation: The land should be well prepared for better germination and growth of fenugreek. The land should be ploughed 4-5 times. The one ploughing should be done by soil turning plough followed by 2-3 ploughing with cultivator which are sufficient to bring the soil to fine tilth. The field should be made well leveled. There should be good moisture in the soil for better germination of seed. If there is problem of termite, then add Quinalphos 1.5% or Methyl Parathion 2% dust @25 kg/ha, before planting and incorporate it in the soil well.
Time of sowing: In general, fenugreek is sown during Mid Oct to Mid Nov. throughout the country. However, in South India it is grown as Kharif crop during mid June to last week of July
Seed Rate : Desi Methi.- 20-25 kg/ha and Kasuri Methi 8-10 kg/ha.
Seed treatment: Before sowing seed should be treated with Bavistin or Agrosan GN or Thiram @2.0g/kg seed or with Trichoderma @ 6.0g/kg seed. Seed treatment with Rhizobium meliloti culture should also be done after seed treatment with fungicide, if seed is sown in new field.
Sowing method: Fenugreek can be sown by broadcasting as well as line sowing. The broadcasting seed should be covered by the soil with the help of the rack and irrigation should be given immediately. The line sowing method is better because it facilitate proper inter cultural operation. In line, sowing method the line to line spacing must be kept 25-30 cm. While sowing care should be taken, that seed depth does not exceed 3-4 cm for proper germination of seed.
Manures and fertilizer:. Apply 10 t/ha FYM or7 .5 t/ha sheep manure/ha three weeks before sowing of the crop. Beside this 40 kg N/ha, 30-40 kg P2O5/ha and 20 kg K2O /ha should be applied in the soil before sowing. Fenugreek being the leguminous crop does not require top dressing of urea.
Irrigation: If there is less moisture, immediately after sowing then light irrigation should be given to facilitate germination otherwise first irrigation should be given after 4-6 leaf stage. During crop growth period irrigation interval should be kept 10-15 days depending upon weather & soil type. Application of seven irrigation at 1.0 IW/CPE ratio was found better in Gujarat condition for realizing higher yield of fenugreek.4-5 irrigation at 15-20 days interval are required for harvesting better yield of the crop. Application of irrigation at 4 days interval with drip is very effective for higher yield along with saving of water and nutrients. The weed may also be controlled by application of Fluchloralin as pre-plant incorporation soil @ 0.75 to 1.0 kg/ha.
Intercultural operation: In order to take good crop of fenugreek at least two weeding and hoeing at 30 and 60 days after sowing respectively are necessary. At the time of first weeding plant-to-plant distance of about 10 cm within the row should b adjusted. In broadcasted crop, also the excess plant should be removed to minimize plant competition.
Plant Protection
Insect pests
Aphids: Aphid attack fenugreek at flowering stage causing serious damage.The aphids should be controlled by application of systematic insecticide. Foliar spraying with 0.03% Dimethoate (30 EC) or 0.025% Thiamethoxam 0.005 % Imidachlorphid in 500 –600 liter of water/ha is effective for control of aphids in cumin. The spraying of the above insecticide may repeated at 15 days interval if problem of aphids persist.
Diseases
Powder Mildew: The powdery mildew in fenugreek may be controlled by dusting of Sulphur @20-25 kg/ha or spraying Karathane 0.1% or Wettable Sulphur 0.2% at 15 to 20 days interval during flowering.
Root Rot :It can be managed by adopting following practices
1. Deep Ploughing in summer
2. Adopt three year crop rotation
3. Seed Treatment
4. Use diseases free seed
5. Treat the seed with Trichoderma @ 6.0 g/kg seed
Downey Mildew: It is caused by Pernospra trigonellae, forming greyish white powdery patches on he under surface of the leaves and corresponding portion of upper surface becomes yellowish or necrotic. To control the downy mildew spray 0.2% Dithane M-45 or Phytolan at 10-15 days interval.
Harvesting and yield: Deshi methi for vegetable purpose is ready for harvesting in 20-25 days after sowing when the 3-4 leaves are formed in each plant, while Kasuri Mehti or champa methi is ready for harvest 30 days after sowing. The plants are cut at 2-3 c.m above the ground with a sharp knife. The cuts nipped portion are tied into bundles before marketing after 2-3 cutting plant are left for seed. The seed will shatter if the harvesting is delayed. The harvested plants are staked in bundles. After drying in the sun for 4 to 5 days, the seeds are separated by beating the plant at the threshing floor. By adopting improved package of practice an yield of 15-20 q/ha of deshi & yield of 7-8 q/ha of kasuri mehti can be obtained.
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