Now, let us learn about growing methi or fenugreek farming techniques and cultivation practices of fenugreek seeds.
Fenugreek is commonly known as “methi” in India and is used as condiments and as a flavouring agent for food products. The immature pods and leaves are used as vegetables consumed in daily cooking. The fenugreek leaves are rich in protein minerals and Vitamin C. Fenugreek’s biological name is “Trigonella foenum-graecum”. Fenugreek belongs to the family of “Fabaceae”. Fenugreek is prepared as a herb (the plant’s leaves) and a flavouring (the seed).
Main Fenugreek production states
Its growth is commercially farmed for its seeds. The largest fenugreek production state in India is Rajasthan. Other central fenugreek production states are Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat & Uttar Pradesh. For transportation crops from one place to another nearby market, Eicher 485 tractor model is used frequently.
Popular kinds of Fenugreek
Pusa early profitable crop. It takes approximately 130 days for its seed growth. Methi No.47 and Methi No.14 are separated productive varieties of Fenugreek in India.Co-1 Quality is also an early bunching growth. Its maturity period is 95 days.
Requirements of Agro-Climatic
Fenugreek cultivation needs a moderately cool, frost-free, and clear sky climate throughout its growth period. Even though Fenugreek is relatively tolerant to frost during its active vegetative stage, it would become vulnerable to erosion caused by ice in the flowering and early grain development phases.
Requirements for Soil
Fenugreek can be planted in wide variations of soils with rich organic material. However, loamy or sandy loam soils with good drainage are best for fenugreek improvement. The soils with a pH condition of 6.0 to 7.0 will have an improved yield of fenugreek seeds.
Seed rate and Sowing of Fenugreek
The best sowing time for methi or fenugreek crop in Northern sections India in October last week to Nov 1st week. Fenugreek is produced both as a Rabi and Kharif crop in southern parts of India.
The best sowing time for Rabi crop is the first fortnight of October, and for Kharif crop is the next fortnight of June to July-end. Rabi crop yields are much more critical than the Kharif crop. The ideal seed rate per hectare is 25 kg for both crops.
Spacing of Fenugreek Plants
Seed sowing should be provided out 30 cm aside in rows with a farming space of 10 cm. You should sow the seed at a depth of not more than 5.0 cm. For leafy vegetables, you should plant methi or Fenugreek from Sep middle to March middle. You should plan field soil before sowing the seeds. Flatbeds with convenient sizes should be recommended for sowing.
Manures and Fertilization for Fenugreek Crop
At soil/field preparation, add 20 to 30 cartloads of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) (or) compost 15 to 20 tons per hectare to enrich the field productivity. If inherent soil fertility is high, the dose of N should be reduced. Better to take out a soil test to know the productivity condition of the top field soil.
Fenugreek Irrigation Requirement
Give a light watering while sowing performs. Subsequent irrigations are shows 4 irrigations 30, 70 to 75, 85 to 90 and 105 to 110 days after sowing the seeds. At the time of Pod and root development stages, ensure that sufficient water is provided. In case of water lagging, good drainage should be provided. For a better irrigation system, farmers used the Eicher 242 tractor model for productive farming.
Fenugreek Weed control
First, hoeing and weeding require thinning, 21 to 30 days after sowing the seed. Then, you should carry the 2nd wedding 45 to 60 days after sowing. Herbicides are also use to manage weeds. For example, Fluchloralin improves by hand-weeding 50 days after planting on 0.75 kg per hectare area.
Fenugreek Harvesting
The Best time for picking the crop is when the lower leaves start dropping, and pods turn yellow. You can do manual collection by cutting the plants with sickles. Delaying harvest may cause the breaking of seeds.
Fenugreek yield
Fenugreek requires an average yield of 10 to 11 quintals/hectare. However, under the best management conditions and with a good variety of seeds, an average result should be 15 to 20 quintals/ha.
Threshing of Fenugreek
You should collect the plants to tie in bunches and dry in the sunlight for 5 to 7 days. In the threshing process, fenugreek seeds are isolating from the plants. Then, manual threshing or mechanical harvesting should separate the seeds from plants.
Benefits of Fenugreek
- It helps to reduce cholesterol.
- Helps with digestion problems.
- It helps in guarding against cancer.
- Helps in healthy testosterone levels.
- It helps in preventing diabetes.
- Helps in weight loss.
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