Spices and Condiments (1+1)

Irrigation, interculture weeding and growth regulators

Irrigation
The first irrigation should be given immediately after sowing. The crop requires about 5-7 irrigations in all. It should be irrigated at IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 and 0.40. The number of irrigations required, of course, depends upon the type of the soil and evapo-transpiration potential prevailing during the season. In Rajasthan, a good fenugreek crop needs about 8 irrigations.
The number of irrigations may be reduced to 4-5 in heavy soils with good water-retention capacity. The distribution of irrigations during the growing season should be such that the crop does not suffer any water stress during the pod- and seed-development stages. The maintenance of optimal soil moisture is essential to prevent blossom and fruit drop.

Interculture and weeding
Two hoeings and weedings are enough to keep the crop well aerated and weed free. The first hoeing and weeding is done at the time of thinning 25-30 days after sowing, and the crop is earthed-up. The second weeding is done at 50-60 days after sowing.
Tipping of the young shoots is done after 10-30 days of sowing. This is done at a height of 4-5 cm from the ground level, if the crop is grown for leaf. A pre-planting application of Fluchloralin or Pendimenthalin @ 0.75 kg/ha supplemented with hand weeding 50 days after sowing and earthing-up of the crop will keep the weeds under check.

Use of growth regulators
A spray of ascorbic acid at 250-450 ppm improves the plant growth, enhances flowering, seed number and size. GA3 spray @ 10-100 ppm concentration enhances the internodal length, height and number of leaves. It also induces early flowering. A spray of 0.05% Sodium 2, 3—lso butyrate just before flower initiation decreases the pollen sterility and improves the yield.