Exotic Vegetables

PRODUCTION PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY of

TECHNOLOGY

of

EXOTIC VEGETABLES

EXOTIC VEGETABLES Dr. R. M. Kharche M.Sc.(Agri.), Ph.D., M.A.L.L.B., H.D.C;G.D.C.A;D.C.B.M.

& Dr. A. S. Naphade M.Sc.(Agri.), Ph.D.

CONTINENTAL PRAKASHAN Vijayanagar, Pune - 411 030

PREFACE India has already achieved self sufficiency in the production

Publishers : Rutuparna Kulkarni Continental Prakashan Vijayanagar, Pune - 411 030 India Phone : 01 - 91 - 20 - 433 7982 E-mail : [email protected]

Printers : Prakash Mudranalaya 1411 Sadashiv Peth Pune - 411 030

Publication No. 1301 First Edition : 2004 Isbn No. : 81-7421-092-x All Rights Reserved

Rs. 85 /- (US $ 4 00 )

of food-grains but there is a need to provide nutritional protection to our growing population. The different types of vegetables play an important role not only in making diet balanced and nutritive but also help to improve the economic conditions of farmers. Presently, our country is the second largest producer of vegetables in the world. But, it is a necessary to further increase production of vegetables to meet our domestic needs as well as to increase exports. The per unit yield of vegetables in India is very low as compared to the other countries of the world. Hence, besides developing high yielding varieties and hybrid seeds of different types of vegetables, there is a strong need of extension efforts to bring production technologies to the notice of our farmers, so that, higher yield per unit area can be obtained. In view of productivity, diversification, nutrition, value addition and export, vegetables are important component of Agriculture. In India vegetable production per annum is 985.0 lakh metric tonnes. Out of which Maharashtra produces 44.80 lakh metric tonnes. But the production of exotic vegetables is very meagre in Maharashtra State. Maharashtra State like many other states in our country is endowed with a wide range of agro-climatic conditions and grow very large number of tropical and sub-tropical vegetables. Many of these vegetables are unknown or rare to most of the vegetable growers and consumers. The rare vegetables are Asparagus, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Squash(Zuccini), Celery, Cherry Tomato, Chinese Cabbage, Leek, Lettuce, Parsley and Sweet Corn. Farmers can earn good profit by growing these vegetables in succession near big cosmopolitan cities and towns. Now a days, demand is increasing of these kind of vegeta-

bles in star hotels, tourist hotels and chain stores. Most of the farmers from Pune, Satara and Sangli districts are producing these exotic vegetables on a small land and they fetch good price in internal markets. Growers can also export to foreign countries specially to European Countries where the cultivation of vegetables is not possible throughout the year in open fields. Similarly, these vegetables can be exported to Singapore and Middle Eastern countries. The purpose of preparing this booklet is to furnish scientific and technical information about the production practices for the use of vegetable growes, extension workers and of farmers involved in growing these exotic vegetables. The need for collecting and reviewing the available literatures pertaining to exotic vegetables production has long been felt and the present publication is an attempt in that direction. We have drawn freely upon material from many sources, books, bulletins, scientific papers, magazines etc. The publication aims to provide all the desired information of the latest agro-techniques of production of exotic vegetables to the growers of Maharashtra State. Looking forward to future revision, suggestions and criticisms on the contents of this publication and its adaptation to actual application are invited from all the quarters. We wish to express our appreciation to all colleagues and friends who have assisted me in preparation of this publication. We are grateful to Continental Pubushing house for producing this book in it's beautiful and attractive from in a very short period.

Pune 1-1-2004.

R. M. Kharche. A. S. Naphade.