The field should be well prepared free from weeds and a well drainage facility. 1-2 deep ploughing, Soil should be exposed to sunlight, 3 to 4 rounds of harrows to reach fine tilt. Before final harrow, apply 8 to 10 MT well-decomposed FYM per acre along with 250 g of Trichoderma for controlling soil born Fungus
Seed Treatment-rate of timing/ chemical
Seeds are treated with Carbendazim 2g + Thiram 2 g per Kg of seeds
Sowing Time
Kharif
Sowing method
Seed Rate: 120 to 150 g per acre. Sowing: Direct in the main field
Spacing: Row to Row and Plant to Plant - 150 x 45 cm Transplanting: Transplanting should be done @ 30-35 days after sowing. Plant population should be maintained 10000 to 12000 per acre
Fertilizer dose with timing
Total N:P:K requirement @ 100:100:120 kg per acre.
Dose & Timing:
Basal Dose: Apply 50% N and 100% P, K as basal dose during final land preparation.
Top Dressing: 25% N at 30 days after sowing and 25% N at 50 days after sowing
Weed Control- Chemicals with doses and timing
Timely weed removal is very important, need-based hand weeding can be done to ensure a healthy crop.
Diseases & Pest control- Chemicals with doses and timing
For effective crop control use following Insect and disease solutions:
Powdery Mildew and Anthracnose - Apply Amistar (200ml/acre),
Fruit rot - Apply Kavach @ 400g/acre and for any other diseases apply fungicide as per recommendation from the Department of Agriculture (plant protection)
White Fly + Mites - Apply Pegasus @ 250g/acre, Sefina @2ml per lt of water
Thrips : Spinosad 45% - 65ml/acre Spodetara+ Fruit Borer -Apply Cigna @ 250 ml/acre
Fruit Borer - Apply Proclaim @ 80g/acre
and for any other Insects apply recommended Insecticides
Irrigation Schedule
Irrigation Frequency Depends upon - A. Soil type: Light soils need more frequency. Heavy soils need less frequency. B. Crop stage:
Vegetative stage: maintain adequate moisture for the
development of roots. Flowering & fruiting - frequent and shallow irrigation.
Harvesting - gradually reduce irrigation during harvesting C. Growing season:
Summer - requires frequent irrigation.
Winter- As against the summer season, in winter the irrigation frequency is longer.
Rainy - very less frequency depending upon soil moisture
Harvesting
Full mature firm green fruits start harvesting at 60-65 days, later at 5 to 7 days intervals. Timely picking stimulates plants to produce more flowers
