Production technology of basella

Production technology of Basella

1. Production technology of Basella By B. PAVAN KUMAR NAIK M. Sc. HORTICULTURE Reg. No:- 180805200001 CUTM

2. Basella SC Name:- Basella alba & Basella rubra Common name:-Poi, Malabar nightshade, Indian Spinach Family:- Basellaceae Ch.no:-2n=24 Origin:-Tropical Asia Grown in tropical as perennial and in warmer temperature region as annuals. The plants has fleshy stem and leaves and is of a trailing habit.

3. Basella alba vs. Basella rubra Basella alba Basella rubra Green vines Purplish vines Thin leaves Thick fleshy leaves Heart shaped leaves Oval to round shaped leaves White flowered form Purple flowered

4. Composition and Uses Calcium 109 mg Iron 10 mg Vitamin A 8000 IU Vitamin C 102 mg Folic acid 140 µg Colour present in the red cultivar is used as dye Juice of leaves is prescribed as constipation, particularly for children and pregnant womens . It contains SAPONIN that acts as phytochemicals. Fight against cancer and other diseases.

5. Soil and climate The crops grown best in sandy loam soils rich in organic matter with Ph ranging from 5.5 to 7 Adequate moisture and partial shade result in better growth of the plants and formation of bigger succulent leaves. Optimum temperature is 25-32°c. Cultivation of this crop should be avoided in frost region. The crop is usually grown during warm and moist seasons.

6. Sowing and seed rate Basella is commercially propagated through seeds but stem or root cuttings are also practiced. Northern and eastern part of India, seeds are sown from March to May. In southern parts grown twice, once in july and again in October to November. Spaving 45 cm ×45 cm Plants allowed to sprawl over the ground. The crop is also raised on bamboo stakes or trained in trellis. Seed rate 12-15 kg/ hac .

7. Manuring and Fertilizers Apply well decomposed FYM 200-300 q/ hac . N 60-80 kg/ hac P 40-60 kg/ hac K 40-60/ hac P and K are applied as basal dose whersas Nitrogen in 2-3 split doses.

8. Irrigation and Interculture The crop requires frequent irrigations at 4-6 day intervals during summer and 7-10 days interval in cool season. The crop may not require iriigation during rainy season. Light hoeing and weeding are necessary. Avoid water logging.

9. Harvesting & Yiled Crop raised from seeds will produce edible leaves and stems after 8-10 weeks from sowing. The plants raised from root or stem cuttings will be ready for harvest in about 6 weeks after planting. Yield 40 to 50 t/ hac .

10. Diseases and Pests 1. Damping off ( Pythium aphanidermatum ) Management:- before sowing, hot water treatment of seed at 52°c for 30 min. should be done. Spray Mancozeb (2.5 g/lit), carbendazim (1 g/lit) 2. Leaf spot ( Acrothecium basella and Cercospora sp .) Managament :-seed treatment with carbendazim . Spray crop with bavistin @ 0.1% 3. Mosaic:- due to undefined virus The crop is almost free from insect attack though a minor incidence of caterpillars are reported.