Akashi 10

The field should be well prepared free from weeds and 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/acre along with 250 gm Trichoderma for controlling soil-born fungus

Seeds are treated with Carbendazim 2g + Thiram 2 g per Kg of seeds.

Kharif

Seed Rate: 80g - 100g per acre.

Sowing: Prepare the raised bed of 180x90x15cm, for 1acre 10 to 12 beds are required. The nursery should be free from weeds and debris. Line sowing is recommended.
Distance between two rows:  8-10 cm (4 fingers) apart,
Distance between seed to seeds: 3-4 cm ( 2 fingers),
Seeds are sown in line at 0.5-1.0 cm deep

Transplanting: Transplanting should be done 25-30 days after sowing.
Spacing: Row to Row and Plant to Plant - 75 x 45 cm or 90 x 45 cm

Total N:P:K requirement @ 120:60:80 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.

Timely weed removal is very important, need-based hand weeding can be done to ensure a healthy crop.

 For effective crop control  use the 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
Spodetara+ Fruit Borer - Apply Cigna @ 250 ml/acre
Fruit Borer - Apply Proclaim @ 80g/acre
and for any other Insects apply recommended insecticides

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

Full mature firm green fruits start harvesting at 65-70 days, later at 10 to 15 days intervals. Timely picking stimulates plant to produce more flowers