Saturday, January 1, 2011

Growing Green Chillies using Simplified Hydroponics

Growing Green Chillies using Simplified Hydroponics by Pritham 'MetalFarmer' D'Souza


  • Green Chillies (Capsicum annuum) is one of the select few crops to be grown in almost all states of India and is largely exported worldwide.
  • A green chilli is referred to as ' Hot' due to the presence of 'capsiacin' which is extracted and used in pepper sprays as a non lethal but effect irritant.
  • excellent source of Vitamin A and also Iron, Potassium and Magnesium

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Bottle Gourd Cultivation in Pits, Summer Technique

Bottle Gourd Cultivation in Pits, Summer Technique by MetalFarmer Pritham D'Souza

From Bottle Gourd Cultivation in Pits, Summer Technique


Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) is one of the most widely consumed vegetable crops grown in Dakshina kannada district. its also called Thure (Tulu), Bobley (Konkani) and Soorae kai (Kannada). It has several uses from preparing different kinds of sweets, hail oil (from seeds), hard shells used as floats in fishing nets and also in making some musical instruments.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Intercropping Under Trellis with Amaranthus

Intercropping Under Trellis with Amaranthus by Pritham 'MetalFarmer' D'Souza

here i would like to discuss how one can successfully grow amaranthus leafy vegetable under a trellis (dompa) . Here the main crop is coccinia (Manoli , Tendli) which requires a large trellis to grow on. and since the crop requires a lot of vine trimming and pruning to facilitate more vine growth, the space under the trellis is exposed to a lot of sunlight and if not properly maintained encourages the growth of unwanted weeds.


From Intercropping Under Trellis with Amaranthus

Interculture Operations in Chilli

Interculture Operations in Chilli by Pritham 'MetalFarmer' D'Souza

I have covered Chilli (Capsicum annuum) in my previous posts and here i would like to show you how to perform simple inter culture operations like manuring and weeding in the Chilli plot.

From Interculture Operations in Chilli

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Technique of Growing Indian Spinach on the ground

Technique of Growing Indian Spinach on the ground by Pritham Denzil D'Souza aka MetalFarmer

Traditionally Indian Spinach also known as Basale soppu in tulu and Valchhi bajji in konkani is grown on a trellis. While respecting our traditional farming practices, we also must learn to innovate and improvise, and if works out, share data for free that will benefit farmers all over. Growing Spinach on the ground was done merely as a challenge to growing them using support or a trellis.

From Growing Indian Spinach on the ground at Padval Farms, Mangalore, India

Growing Cowpea Beans in Pit Method Summer Cultivation

Growing Cowpea Beans in Pit Method Summer Cultivation by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

From Growing Cowpea Lentils using Pit Method at Padval Farms, India


Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a very popular vegetable grown in Mangalore and other parts of th country. It has been grown in India since the Vedic period. The entire plant is of economic importance, the pods harvested are rich in proteins, while the foliage is used as green manure and fodder for animals. Its called Alasandae in kannada, alasundae sango in konkani and Lattanae in Tulu

Flight T bait trap Container

Flight T bait trap Container by Pritham D'Souza Metal Farmer

From Flight T bait trap by PCI


The flight T bait trap container introduced by PCI is a strong and durable container

Mosaic Virus Disease in Okra Bhendi Ladies Finger

Mosaic Virus Disease in Okra Bhendi Ladies Finger by Pritham D'Souza 'Metal Farmer'

From Mosaic Virus Disease in Okra Bhendi


Yellow mosaic disease in Okra is one of the most devastating diseases, resulting in 80 percent of crop loss.
and the sad part is , since its a virus, there is no cure. Prevention is the only cure.

Pitting method of Cultivating Bitter Gourd

Pitting method of Cultivating Bitter Gourd by Pritham Denzil Dsouza aka 'Metal Farmer'
i have already discussed how to cultivate Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) in my previous post in continuous pits . here i would like to show you how one can grow Bitter Gourds in individual pits.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Bitter Gourd Cultivation in Continuous Pits

Bitter Gourd Cultivation in Continuous Pits by Pritham D'Souza Metal Farmer

Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) also known as bitter gourd or Karela (hindi), karathe (konkani) and kanchala (tulu) is cultivated in mainly tropical and sub tropical places throughout the world.
From Bitter gourd cultivation in continuous pits By Pritham D'Souza Metal Farmer



The bitter taste is due to the presence of Momorcidin.