Production of any vegetale crop requires awareness of certain basics that usually do not change soon but improvements are always expected and therefore in this book principles are presented in very simple, brief and easily understandable form so that these become helpful in raising vegetable crops successfully and economically.
The demand of vegetables is increasing day by day as majority of Indians are vegetarians, and vegetables make diet palatable, nutritive and balanced. They are nice sources of vitamins, proteins, minerals, carbohydrates, and roughages. A sound and basic knowledge of vegetable production is therefore prerequisite in improving the productivity per unit of land and water resources.
The present book comprising of twenty chapters which are dealt with mainly basics of vegetable production. It is a handy textbook avoiding voluminous review. The book is having wider scope and will go in the hands of UG and PG students of Horticulture (Olericulture), university teachers and extension workers, subject matter specialist, and to those who are interested to learn before going in for vegetable cultivation.
CONTENT
No
TITLE
PAGES
Preface
03
About The Book
04
CHAPTERS
1
IMPORTANCE AND SCOPE
21
1.1
Role of Vegetable in Human Health
21
1.2
Importance as Healthy/Protective Food
22
1.2.1
Vitamins
23
1.2.2
Protein
25
1.2.3
Minerals
25
1.2.4
Roughages
26
1.3
Various Sources of Dietary Factors as Vegetables
27
1.4
Vegetable Production Assures More Employment
27
1.5
Vegetable as Source of Income and Self Employment
29
1.5.1
High Yield/Acre/Time
29
1.5.2
Important Source of Farm Income
29
1.5.3
High Cropping Intensity
29
1.5.4
Industrial Development
30
1.5.5
Foreign Exchange Earner
30
1.6
Role of Vegetables in National Economy
30
1.6.1
Problems Associated With Vegetable Production
31
1.6.2
Share of Vegetable Production
31
1.6.3
Prices and Arrivals
34
1.6.4
Infrastructure Availability
34
1.6.5
Consumption
35
1.6.6
World Scenario
35
1.7
Indias Export of Vegetables and Seeds
35
Vegetables
35
Vegetable Seeds
36
1.8
Important Queries
36
Selected Readings
37
2
TYPES OF VEGETABLE FARMING
38
2.1
Importance of Vegetable Farming
38
2.1.1
Kitchen Gardening
38
2.1.2
Market Gardening
40
2.1.3
Truck Gardening
41
2.1.4
Vegetable Gardening For Processing
42
2.2
Vegetable Forcing
43
2.3
Different Kinds of Vegetable Forcing
43
2.4
Protected Cultivation
43
Vegetable garden for seed production
44
2.5
Floating Vegetable Garden
45
2.6
Organic Vegetable Gardening
45
2.7
Container Gardening
45
Important Querries
46
Selected Readings
47
3
CLASSIFICATION OF VEGETABLE CROPST
48
3.1
Introduction
48
3.2
Methods of Classification
49
3.2.1
Botanical
49
3.2.2
Climatic Zones
54
3.2.3
Hardiness
55
3.2.4
Soil Reaction pH
56
3.2.5
Salt Tolerance
56
3.2.6
Growing Season
57
3.2.6.1
Cool Season
57
3.2.6.2
Warm Season
58
3.2.7
Parts Used
58
3.2.8
Methods of Culture
59
3.2.9
Method of Raising
61
3.2.10
Lime Requirement
61
3.2.11
Forcing
62
3.2.12
Rate of Respiration
62
3.2.13
Rooting Depth
63
3.3
Important Querries
63
Selected Readings
64
4
SELECTION OF SITE FOR VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
65
4.1
Introduction
65
4.2
Other Important Considerations
66
4.2.1
Distance From Grower’s Residence
66
4.2.2
Availability of Labours
66
4.2.3
Assured Irrigation Facilities
66
4.2.4
Transportation Facilities
66
4.2.5
Marketing Facilities
66
4.2.6
Free From Insect-Pests And Diseases
67
4.2.7
Type of Holding
67
4.3
Important Queries
67
Selected Readings
68
5
SOIL REQUIREMENT AND TILLAGE OPERATIONS
69
5.1
Soil Requirement
69
5.1.1
Types of Soil
70
5.1.2
Properties of Soil
71
5.1.2.1
Physical Properties
71
5.1.2.2
Chemical Properties
71
5.1.2.3
Biological Properties
71
5.1.3
Role of Organic Matter
72
5.1.4
Vegetable Crops Require Fertile Soils
72
5.1.5
Vegetable Crops Grown on Poor Soils
72
5.2
Tillage Operations
73
5.2.1
Meaning and Importance
73
5.2.2
Type of Tillage
73
5.2.3
Factors Affecting Tillage Operations
73
5.2.4
Tillage Systems
74
5.2.5
Advantages and Disadvantages of No-Tillage or Zero Tillage
74
5.2.5.1
Advantages
74
5.2.5.2
Disadvantages
75
5.2.6
Tillage With Reference to Heavy and Very Light Soils
75
5.2.3
Factors Affecting Tillage Operations
73
5.2.3.1
Type of Soil
73
5.2.3.2
Type of Crop
74
5.2.3.3
Number of Bullocks & Machinery Available
74
5.2.3.4
Size of Holding
74
5.2.3.5
Availability of Labour
74
5.2.3.6
Season
74
5.2.3.7
Availability of Time
74
5.2.3.8
Economic Condition
5.3
Important Queries
75
Selected Readings
76
6
CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS OF VEGETABLE CROPS
77
6.1
Introduction
77
6.2
Temperature
78
6.2.1
Effect on Germination
78
6.2.2
Effect on Flowering
80
6.2.3
Efeect on Fertilization & Fruit Set
80
6.2.4
Effect on Quality of Vegetables
81
6.2.5
Effet on Growth & Development of Edible Portion
82
6.2.6
Effect on Root Processes
82
62.7
Effect on Photosynthesis & Respiration
83
6.2.8
Protection From Low Temperature
83
6.2.9
Protection From High Temperature
84
6.2.9.1
Shading
84
6.2.9.2
Raising Crops With High Densityma
84
6.2.9.3
Management Practices
84
6.2.10
Cool Season Vegetable Crops
85
6.3
Light
85
6.3.1
Light Intensity
86
6.3.2
Light Duration
86
5.3.2.1
Long Day Plants
87
5.3.2.2
Short Day Plants
87
5.3.2.3
Day-Neutral Plants
87
6.3.3
Effect of Light on Germination
87
6.3.4
Effect of Light on Vegetative Growth
88
6.3.5
Effect of Light on Flowering
88
6.3.6
Effect of Light on Tuber & Bulb Formation
89
6.4
Humidity
89
6.5
Rainfall
90
6.6
Wind
91
6.7
Frost and Dew
92
6.8
Important Queries
93
Selected Readings
94
7
NUTRITION OF VEGETABLE CROPS
96
7.1
Introduction
96
7.2
Essential Nutrients
96
7.3
Classification of Nutrients
97
7.3.1
Macro-Nutrients
97
7.3.2
Micro-Nutrients
97
7.3.3
Primary Nutrients
97
7.3.4
Secondary Nutrients
97
7.3.5
Beneficial Nutrients
97
7.4
Functions and Deficiency Systems of Nutrients
97
7.4.1
Macro-Nutrients
97
7.4.1.1
Nitrogen
97
7.4.1.1
Phosphorous
98
7.4.1.1
Potassium
98
7.4.1.1
Calcium
99
7.4.1.1
Magnesium
99
7.4.1.1
Sulphur
99
7.4.2
Micro-Nutrients
100
7.4.2.1
Boron
100
7.4.2.2
Zinc
100
7.4.2.3
Manganese
100
7.4.2.4
Iron
101
7.4.2.5
Molybdenum
101
7.4.2.6
Copper
101
7.4.2.7
Chlorine
102
7.4.2.8
Sodium
102
7.5
Methods of Application
102
7.5.1
Soil Application
102
7.5.2
Starter Solution
104
7.5.3
Foliar Spray
104
7.5.3.1
Factors Affecting Absorption of Nutrients Applied Through Foliar Feed.
105
7.5.3.2
How to Increase Absorption of Nutrients Applied Through Foliar Feed
105
7.5.3.3
Pathway of Entry Into Leaf
105
A
Cuticular Entry
106
B
Entry Through Cellwall
106
C
Entry to Plasma Membrane
106
D
Fertigation
106
7.6
Time of Application
107
7.7
Use of Chemical Fertilizers May Spoil the Soil and Decline the Crop Yield.
107
7.7.1
Continuous Use of Nitrogen Fertilizers Alone
107
7.7.2
Micronutrient Deficiency
107
7.7.3
Deficiency of Secondary Nutrients
107
7.7.4
Use of Acid Fertilizers
108
7.7.5
Excessive Use of Phosphate Fertilizers and Micronutrient Carriers Without Need
108
7.7.6
Buildup of Insect Pest and Pathogens
108
7.7.7
Residual Effect of Fertilizers
109
7.8
Precautions in Fertilizer Use
109
7.9
Important Queries
109
Selected Readings
110
8
PROPAGATION AND GROWING STRUCTURES IN VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
112
8.1
Propagation
112
8.1.1
Raising of Seedlings
113
8.1.1.1
Need for Raising Seedlings
113
8.1.1.2
Requirements for Raising Seedlings
113
A
Selection of Site
113
B
Selection of Soil
114
C
Soil Treatment
114
1
Formalin
114
2
BHC Powder
114
3
DD and EDB
114
D
Soil Preparation
114
E
Improvement of Nursery Soil
115
F
Types of Nursery Beds
115
1
Raised Nursery Beds
115
2
Flat Nursery Bed
116
G
Manures and Fertilizers
116
H
Selection of Seed
117
I
Seed Treatment
117
1
Hot Water Treatment
118
2
Soaking of Seeds in Cold Water
120
3
Seed Treatment With Chemicals
120
J
Sowing
121
K
After Care
121
1
Care Before Sowing
121
2
Care During Sowing
121
3
Care After Sowing
121
I
Mulching
121
Ii
Watering
122
Iii
Partial Shade
122
Iv
Thinning
122
V
Weeding
122
Vi
Plant Protection Measures
122
Vii
Hardening Off
123
8.1.2
Micropropagation
123
8.1.3.1
Importance of Micropropagation in Vegetable Crops
123
8.1.2.2
Requirements for Micropropagation
123
A
Culture Laboratory
123
B
Asepsis
123
C
Culture Medium
123
D
Culture Environment
124
8.1.2.3
Media Commercially Used in Micropropagation
124
8.1.2.4
Limitations of Micropropagation
126
8.1.2.5
Scope of Micropropagation In Vegetables in India
127
8.2
Growing Structures
127
8.2.1
Introduction
127
8.2.2
Types of Structures
128
8.2.2.1
Green House
128
8.2.2.2
Plastic House
128
8.2.2.3
Shade House
128
8.2.2.4
Lath House
129
8.2.2.5
Hot Beds
129
8.2.2.6
Cold Frames
129
8.3
Important Queries
129
Selected References
132
9
PLANTING AND TRANSPLANTING OF VEGETABLE CROPS
134
9.1
Meaning of Planting
134
9.2
Meaning of Transplanting
134
9.3
Why Do Some Vegetables Require Transplanting
135
9.4
Benefits of Transplanting
135
9.5
Categories of Vegetable Crops According to their Ability in Transplanting
135
9.5.1
Easy to Transplant
9.5.2
Transplanted With Care
135
9.5.3
Not Transplanted
135
9.6
Selection of Seedlings for Transplanting
136
9.7
Age of Transplantable Seedlings
136
9.8
Precautions in Transplanting
137
9.9
Double Transplanting
137
9.10
Important Queries
138
Selected Readings
138
10
IRRIGATION IN VEGETABLE CROPS
139
10.1
Introduction
139
10.2
Why to Irrigate?
140
10.3
Some Guidelines for Irrigation
140
10.4
Factors Affecting Water Requirement of Vegetables
141
10.5
How to Irrigate
141
10.5.1
Surface Irrigation
142
10.5.2
Sub-Surface Irrigation
142
10.5.3
Sprinkler Irrigation
142
10.5.4
Drip Irrigation
142
10.6
How to Increase Water Use Efficiency?
143
10.7
Water as a Manageable Input
143
10.8
Improved Irrigation Practices
143
10.8.1
Micro-Land Levelling
143
10.8.2
Optimum Plot Size
144
10.8.3
Irrigation Timing
144
10.8.4
Depth Of Irrigation
144
10.8.5
Mulching- its Objectives
146
10.8.5.1
To Conserve Soil Moisture
146
10.8.5.2
To Reduce Infiltration Rates
146
10.8.5.3
To Reduce Run-off and Soil Erosion
147
10.8.5.4
To Maintain Soil Temperature
147
10.8.5.5
To Increase Plant Growth and Yield
147
10.8.5.6
To Reduce Weed Growth and Keep the
Vegetables Clean
147
10.8.5.7
To Promote Earlier Harvest
147
10.8.5.8
To Add Organic Matter
148
10.8.5.9
To Stimulate Soil Micro-Flora
148
10.9
Important Queries
149
Selected Readings
150
11
WEED CONTROL IN VEGETABLE CROPS
151
11.1
Introduction
151
10.2
Salient Features of Weeds
152
11.3
Harmful Effects of Weeds
153
11.4
Classification of Weeds
153
11.5
Some Common Weeds In Crops
155
11.5.1
Annual Weeds
155
11.5.1.1
Rabi SeasonMonocot
155
11.5.1.2
Rabi Season Dicot
155
11.5.1.3
Kharif Season Monocot
156
11.5.1.4
Kharif Season Dicot
156
11.5.2
Perennial Weeds
156
11.5.2.1
Perennial Monocot
156
11.5.2.2
Perennial Dicot
157
11.5.3
Some Common Weeds in Waterlands
157
11.6
Association of Weeds With Vegetable Crops
159
11.7
Methods of Weed Control.
161
11.7.1
Preventive Method
161
11.7.2
Curative Method
161
11.7.2.1
Mechanical Method
161
11.7.2.2
Cultural or Cropping Methods
161
11.7.2.3
Biological Weed Control
162
11.7.2.4
Chemical Method
163
11.8
Precautions in Use of Herbicides
167
11.9
Important Queries
168
Selected Readings
169
12
CROPPING SYSTEMS IN VEGETABLE CROPS
173
12.1
Introduction
173
12.2
Important Cropping Systems
174
12.2.1
Multiple Cropping
174
12.2.1.1
Pre-Requisites of Multiple Cropping
174
12.2.1.2
Advantages of Multiple Cropping
174
12.2.1.3
Disadvantages of Multiple Cropping
175
12.2.1.4.
Guidelines for Multiple Cropping
175
12.2.2
Mixed Cropping
175
12.2.2.1
Classes of Mixed Cropping
175
12.2.2.2
How is Mixed Cropping Followed
175
12.2.2.3
Advantages of Mixed Cropping
175
12.2.2.4
Disadvantages of Mixed Cropping
176
12.2.2.5
Some Examples of Mixed Cropping
176
12.2.3
Crop Rotation
176
12.2.3.
Basic Principles of Crop Rotation
176
12.2.3.2
Advantages of Crop Rotation
177
12.2.3.3
Some Important Vegetable Rotations
178
12.2.4
Succession
178
12.2.5
Intercropping
178
12.2.5.1
Advantages of Intercropping
178
12.2.5.2
Disadvantages of Intercropping
179
12.2.6
Relay Cropping
179
12.2.7
Vertical Cropping
180
12.3
Important Queries
180
Selected Readings
181
13
INSECT-PESTS AND DISEASES OF VEGETABLE CROPS
183
13.1
Introduction
183
13.2
Control Measures
183
13.2.1
Cultural Practices
183
13.2.2
Crop Rotation
184
13.2.3
Pests and Diseases Resistant Cultivars
184
13.2.4
Crop Health
184
13.2.5
Date of Sowing/Planting
184
13.2.6
Uprooting or Removal of Plant Part (S)
184
13.2.7
Chemical Control
185
13.3
Important Insect-Pests of Vegetable Crops
185
13.4
Important Diseases of Vegetable Crops
187
13.5
Some Viral Diseases, their Insect Vectors and Prominent Symptoms
188
13.6
Preventive Measures For Plant Viruses
189
13.7
Important Nematodes Affecting Vegetable Crops
189
13.8
Details About Some Important Nematicides and their Doses
190
13.9
Preventive Measures for Nematodes
191
13.10
Important Queries
192
Selected Readings
193
14
HARVESTING OF VEGETABLE CROPS
196
14.1
Meaning of Harvesting
196
14.2
Early Harvesting
196
14.3
Delay in Harvesting
197
14.4
Merits of Harvesting at Right Stage
197
14.5
Pre-Harvest Treatments
198
14.6
Method of Harvesting
198
14.7
Period Required for Harvesting
198
14.8
Factors Affecting Harvesting
201
14.8.1
Kind and Variety of Vegetable Crops
201
14.8.2
Weather Conditions
201
14.8.3
Distance to Market
201
14.8.4
Purpose
202
14.8.5
Demand
202
14.9
Important Queries
202
Selected Readings
203
15
POSTHARVEST HANDING OF VEGETABLES
204
15.1
Introduction
204
15.2
Essential Operations After Harvesting
204
15.2.1
Trimming
204
15.2.2
Curing
205
15.2.3
Sorting
205
15.2.4
Washing
205
15.2.5
Grading
205
15.2.5.1
Grading of Tomato
206
15.2.5.2
Grading of Brinjal
206
15.2.5.3
Grading of Potato
206
15.2.6
Packing
206
15.2.6.1
Merits of Packing
206
15.2.6.2
What is Good Packing
207
15.2.6.3
Kinds of Packing
207
15.2.6.4
Packing Is Done For Whom
207
A
Packing for Distant Markets
207
B
Packing for Local Markets
207
C
Packing for Consumers
207
15.2.7
Labelling
207
15.2.8
Precooling
207
15.3
Postharvest Losses
208
15.3.1
Causes of Postharvest Losses
208
15.3.2
Control of Postharvest Losses
208
15.4
Important Queries
209
Selected Readings
209
16
MARKETING OF VEGETABLES
210
16.1
Introduction
210
16.2
Disposal of Vegetables in Short Time
210
16.3
Channels of Vegetable Marketing
211
16.3.1
Selling Vegetables to Retailers
211
16.3.1.1
Mandies
211
16.3.1.2
Selling at the Farm
211
16.3.1.3
Auction Market
211
16.3.2
Selling Vegetables to Wholesalers
211
16.3.3
Selling Vegetables to Cooperatives
211
16.3.4
Selling of Vegetables to Consumers
212
16.3.4.1
House to House Selling
212
16.2.4.2
Road Side Selling
212
16.3.5
Selling Vegetables to Small Markets
212
16.3.6
Selling Vegetables in Weekly Bazars
212
16.3.7
Marketing Yards
212
16.3.8
Export and Import Market
212
16.3.9
Processing Market
213
16.4
Methods of Marketing of Vegetables
215
16.4.1
Private Negotiations
215
16.4.2
Open Auction
215
16.4.3
Under Cover
215
16.5
Quality Parameters
215
16.5.1
Appearance
215
16.5.2
Texture
215
16.5.3
Flavour
215
16.5.4
Nutritive Value
215
16.6
How to Conserve Quality
215
16.7
Factors Affecting Quality
216
16.8
Important Queries
217
Selected Readings
217
17
STORAGE OF VEGETABLES
219
17.1
Why is Vegetable Storage?
219
17.2
MethodsoOf Vegetable Storage
219
17.2.1
Country Methods
219
17.2.2
Cold Storage
220
17.2.3
Controlled Atmosphere Storage
221
17.3
Factors Affecting Storage Life of Vegetables
221
17.4
Methods of Cooling Vegetables
221
17.4.1
Hydro Cooling
221
17.4..2
Vacuum Cooling
222
17.4..3
Ice Bank Coolers
222
17.4..4
Chain Cooling
222
17.5
Important Queries
224
Selected Readings
224
18
BREEDING OF VEGETABLE CROPS
226
18.1
Introduction
226
18.2
Hybridization
226
18.3
Selection
227
18.4
Mass Selection
228
18.5
Pedegree Selection
228
18.6
Breeding of Cross-Pollinated Vegetable Crops
228
18.7
Breeding of often Cross-Pollinated Vegetable Crops
229
18.8
Breeding of Vegetatively Propagated
Vegetable Crops
229
18.9
Important Queries
234
Selected Readings
235
19
BIOTECHNOLOGY IN VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
236
19.1
Introduction
236
19.2
Virus Elimination
236
19.3
Embryo Culture
237
19.4
Haploid Production
237
19.5
Germplasm Conservation
237
19.6
Production of Secondary Metabolites
237
19.7
Somatic Embryogenin
237
19.8
Ploidy Manipulation
238
19.9
Somaclonal Variation
238
19.10
Genetic Engineering
238
19.10.
Recombinant DNA Technology
238
19.10.2
Direct Gene Transfer Technique
238
19.10.3
Protoplast Fusion
229
19.11
Important Queries
240
Selected Readings
241
20
SOILLESS CULTURE AND HYDROPONICS
242
20.1
Introduction
242
20.1.1
Meaning of Soilless Culture
242
20.1.2
Meaning of Hydroponics
242
20.1.3
Historical Background
242
20.2
Advantages and Disadvantages of Soilless Culture
244
20.2.1
Advantages
244
20.2.2
Disadvantages
244
20.3
Scope of Soilless Culture Systems
244
20.4
Systems or Methods of Growing Plants
Without Soil
246
20.4..1
Water or Solution or Liquid Culture
246
20.4.2
Sand Culture
246
20.4.2.1
New Jersey Method
246
20.4.2.2
Surface Watering System
247
20.4.2.3
Automatic Dilution Surface Watering System
247
20.4.2.4
Drip Culture System
247
20.4.3
Aggregate Culture
247
20.4.3.1
Sub-Irrigation System
247
20.4.3.2
The Flume Systems
247
20.5
Media or Substrates for Soilless Culture Systems
247
20.6
Future Line of Work
248
20.7
Important Queries
248
Selected Readings
249
21
ORGANIC FARMING OF VEGETALE CRPS: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS
251
21.1
Introduction
251
21.2
Basic Concept of Organic Farming
253
21.3
Definition of Organic Farming
254
21.4
Chatacteristics of Organic Farming
255
21.5
Options in Organic Farming
256
21.6
Organic Farming in India on Specific Situations
258
21.7
Technologies for Organic Low Cost Agriculture
258
21.8
Certification and Legislation of Organic Food in India
261
21.9
Conversion to Organic Production Systems
265
21.10
Conversion Requirements
265
21.10.1
Conversion Requirements
266
21.10.2
Details of Crop Production For Conversion to Organic System
21.10.3
Soil and Water Conservation
266
21.10.4
Choice of Crops and Varieties
266
21.10.5
Crop Rotation
266
21.10.6
Manorial Policy
266
21.10.7
Pests, Diseases and Weeds Management
267
21.11
Latent Needs of Organic Farming of Vegetables
267
21.12
Objectives of Organic Farming in Vegetable Crops
268
21.13
Technology Package for Organic Vegetables
268
21.14
Response of Vegetables to Organic Farming
274
21.15
Issues and Strategies of Organic Vegetable Farming in India
275
2116
Why Ytotal Adoption of Organic Vegetable Crops Not Feasible in India
277
21.17
Suggestions for Promotion of Organic Farming in India
