• About the Crop
• Processing & Value Addition

Crop Management

• Climate & Soil
• Varieties
• Production
• Cultivation Practices


• Water Management
• Nutrient Management
• Intercultural operations


• Tissue culture of Nendran
• Pests
• Diseases
• Harvesting & Storage

Cultivation Practices

Planting can be done in May-June or in September - October. Adjust planting season depending upon local conditions. Avoid periods of heavy monsoon and severe summer for planting. Adjust the time of planting so as to avoid high temperature and drought at the time of emergence of bunches (7-8 months after planting).

Prepare the field by ploughing or digging and dig pits for planting. Size of pits depends upon soil type, water table and variety. In general, pit size of 50 x 50 x 50 cm is recommended. In low-lying areas, take mounds for planting suckers.

Usually well decomposed compost or FYM are mixed with top soil for filling the pits at the time of planting.

In areas where nematode problem is prevalent, nematicides and fumigants are also added to pits before planting.

Select 3-4 month old disease free sword suckers from healthy clumps. In the case of Nendran variety, cut back pseudostem to a length of 15-20 cm from corm and remove old roots. The rhizomes are to be smeared with cowdung solution and ash and dried in the sun for about 3-4 days and stored in shade up to 15 days before planting.

Spacing may be provided as indicated below:

Plant suckers upright in the centre of pits with 5 cm pseudostem remaining above soil level. Press soil around the sucker to avoid hollow air spaces.

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