Land Preparation and Planting

• Prepare the soil to a fine tilth by ploughing and harrowing.
• Dig pits of 60 cm diameter and 30-45 cm depth at a 2m × 2m spacing.
• Mix well-rotted FYM and fertilizers with topsoil in the pit.
• Soak seeds overnight in water for better and quicker germination.
• Treat seeds with 0.2% Bavistin for 6 hours and dry in shade to prevent soil-borne fungal infections.
• Apply pre-sowing irrigation 3-4 days before sowing for better establishment.
• Sow 4-5 seeds per pit at a depth of 1-2 cm (deeper sowing delays germination).
• Irrigate daily using a rose can; seeds germinate in about 4-5 days.
• Remove unhealthy plants after two weeks, retaining only three plants per pit.
• In high-range zones, seedlings can be raised in greenhouses for better germination.
• Sow 2-3 seeds in small plastic pots filled with potting mixture.
• Transplant 15-20 days old seedlings into the field at 2m × 2m spacing.