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.

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

Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

Bhindi or bende kai or okra Ladies finger(Abelmoschus esculentus) is a popular summer vegetable grown extensively along the coast of Mangalore.
The tender fruits have rich iodine content which is used in the treatment of goitre , while the leaves are used for treatment of dysentery and inflammation.
The dry seeds have rich edible oil content of up to 20 % and protein up to 25%

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

Indian Spinach Summer cultivation

Summer cultivation of Indian spinach (Basella alba) is a lot more easier when compared to Monsoon season. However it is very labour intensive, right from making trenches to plant vines to the time of harvesting to irrigation, adding manure and all other inter culture operations.

We grow Spinach on the ground and not on a trellis during summer season. following are the methods we employ in cultivation of Indian spinach Basella alba (basale soppu, valchi bajji)

selection of land

• land selected must have good irrigation facilities
• Should get plenty of direct sunlight and no shade
• Loamy soils preferred with good drainage
• soils which were previously used for growing vegetables also can be used

Cultivation method

• long trenches around 5 feet wide & up to 3 feet in depth are made and the soil is ploughed manually well to remove weeds, break clods & remove stones and other inert materials
• in each trench, approximately 20 to 30 baskets of freshly decomposed farm yard manure is added
• the soil is then thoroughly mixed till a fine tilth is obtained.
• in the trench at every distance of 2 feet, a pair of cut vines of spinach are planted
• planting of the cut vines can be done on both sides of the trench. This is a beneficial method of planting as all the nutrients can be utilized & there is no wastage of water & nutrients.
• immediately after planting, light irrigation is provided such that it does not disturb the transplanted vines
  
• since the temperatures peak in summer, at transplanting stage, shade must be provided to the young vines. Here we have used palm leaves of coconut.
  
• the developing vines also must not come in contact with soil in early stages of its growth & hence, the same coconut palms which were used as shade can be used as a 'carpet' on which the vines grow
• harvest can be done in 30 to 45 days after transplanting

providing shade to transplanted cut vines of spinach

2 weeks after transplanting, the shade palms used as carpet for vines to grow on

Irrigation , Inter culture operations

• water plays an important role in the development of healthy vines. water should be provided on daily basis till the vines branch out & more shoots are formed
• after 4 weeks of transplanting, irrigation can be reduced to thrice weekly
• plant residues, greens, leaves, etc must be incorporated into the soil to act as mulch, thereby reducing soil temperature & evaporation
• manure has to be added whenever depletion is visible to the naked eye. the trench made must be of good size as to incorporate addition of large quantities of manure.
• manure must be added at intervals of 20 to 25 days

Pruning & harvesting

• 3 to 4 weeks after transplanting, the vines which have grown long & thin will have to be trimmed at the base of the stem to facilitate the growth of new shoots
• at this stage, soil must be provided another dose of manure
  
• at all stages of growth, the weakest vines must be discarded and replaced with new vines
• regular trimming of the vines is advantageous as it allows more lateral shoots to emerge
• 8 weeks after transplanting lush growth can be observed
  

after 25 days the vines grow long and slender which have to be trimmed at the base level to allow more shoots and manure also provided

10 days after trimming

20 days after trimming

45 days after transplanting lush growth, ready for harvest

Note: this method we adopt ensures that that the harvested spinach is fresh & tender as only the young developing vines are repeatedly harvested. Unlike the traditional method, where old and aged spinach wreaths are sold, we sell the spinach as bundles (see below)



Photos and content by Pritham 'Heavy metal farmer' denzil dsouza

Snake Gourd

Snake Gourd ( Trichosanthes cucumerina) is native to India & grown for its long and slender fruits. It is a climbing vine & some varieties also produce short fruits.



Climate & soil

• It requires tropical , warm & humid climate for best growth
• it cannot tolerate heavy rainfall as flowering is greatly affected.
  
• very heavy rianfall will make the plant succeptable to various fungal & mycoplasma diseases
• loamy soils are preferred for its cultivation
• soil pH must be in range of 6.0 to 7.0
• every cold climate is not suitable, & it cannot tolerate frost

Sowing
since we are following summer methods of cultivation, we made use of the previously made seed beds which belonged to the previous crop & previous season

• pits measuring 2 feet in diameter are made & 2 seeds sowed per each pit
• the pits must be well mixed with farm yard manure till a fine tilth is obtained.
  
• lite irrigation is then given
• since the seeds take a long time to germinate due to very hard seed coat, it is advised to soak the seeds in water over night before sowing
• some practices follow the soaking of the seeds in curds to activate quicker germination
• when conditions are good, the seeds germinate within 10 days. if the seeds have still not germinated, re sowing is recommended

germination seen within 10 days after sowing

one week after germination

12 days after germination

Irrigation & Inter Culture Operations

• light irrigation must be given immediately after sowing
• it is important to maintain the moisture level in the soil. after germination, dried leaves, etc can be used as mulch to retain moisture
• during growth stage, watering must be done at least thrice a week, when temperature is high. during later stages of growth, water intake can be reduced
• since the plant is a vine, support must be provided so that it grows & it must be trained over a bower or pandal or trellis.
• 21 days after sowing, well composted farm yard manure has to be added. care must be taken to see that the manure is well composted or it may damage the shoot.
• at this stage, while adding manure, the size of the pits must be increased by working on the sides of the pit to accommodate manure & also to provide more area for the movement of the roots. clods that are formed are destroyed , resulting is good soil aeration & porosity
• all the weeds must be removed
  

when plant reaches 21 days time, manure is added & support is given for the vines to climb

photo below shows rapid climbing of the vines after 35 days of sowing

Flowering & Harvest

• fruits start forming after 60 to 70 days after sowing.
  
• at flowering stage , one spray of plant hormones like NAA is recommended @ 1 ml in 1 litre water to increase the number of female flowers.
• fully developed tender fruits can be harvested every 4 to 5 days.
  
• tying a small stone to the stigmatic end of the fruits is a widely practiced method.
• under organic practices, the plant will continue to yield for up to 2 months, when conditions are favourable.
• the average yield of snake gourd is over 150 quintals per hectare.

some varieties in our farm


the green fruit with longitudinal white stripes. these fruits are much more heavier than the white fruits & are medium to short in length

these white fruits yield continuously, and are less heavy compared to the green type. the fruits are soft & short.

Photos and content by Pritham 'Heavy metal farmer' denzil dsouza