Field Preparation

• 2 – 3 times ploughing and leveling of the field is needed.
• One meter wide beds should be raised 15 – 20 cm.
• Between every 2 beds a path of 30 cm should be left.
• A good drainage should be provided for the rainy crop.

a) Manure and Fertilizer

• FYM: 20 tons/ha.
• 60: 40: 40 Kg NPK/ha.
• All the amount of compost, P and K and 40 Kg of N should be mixed well in the soil at the time of field preparation.
• The remaining amount of N should be applied in 2 split doses i.e. the first half doses should be side dressed 15 – 20 days after seed germination.
• The remaining half dose should be side dressed immediately after the first cutting, i.e. about 40 – 45 days after planting.

b) Seed Rate:- 2 Kg/ha. The seeds are directly sown in the field.

c) Spacing:- RR: 20 – 30 cm, PP: 2 – 3 cm.

d) Irrigation

• Being a short season crop its water requirement is low.
• 2 – 3 irrigation is adequate during the crop period.

e) Interculture

• 2 hoeing and 2 weeding is necessary.

Harvesting and Yield

• The whole plant is harvested before development of flower stalk.
• The crop becomes ready for harvest in 20 – 25 days.
• The whole part can be harvested in 50 – 60 days after sowing and top dressed with urea for a 2nd cutting in about 60 – 65 days.
• Yield:- 6 – 10 tons/ha.