Kundru is cultivated as a creeping perennial vegetable. Its vine is 3 to 5 meters long, which needs support to spread. Its plant gives yield for 4 to 5 years. But in places where it is colder, the crop of Kundru can be obtained only for 7 to 8 months. It is rich in flavonoids, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, calcium, iron, fiber, vitamin-A and C. Because consuming Kundru is beneficial. In India, Kundru is cultivated in the states of West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. Moreover, tractor trailer is used to export material in the market.
Kundru Cultivation in India
No particular type of land is required for the cultivation of Kundru. But the production is good in sandy loam soil containing organic matter. On the other hand, do not cultivate Kundru in heavy soil and waterlogged land. Because the plant’s vines cannot tolerate water logging, the land in its cultivation is about 7 P.H. It must be worth it.
1. Climate & Temperature
Its plants need a warm and humid climate. The yield is less in the northern regions of India, where the winter is more. They require only 100 to 150 cm of rain during the rainy season. But due to modern technology can be cultivated easily in irrigated areas. A good crop of Kundru is available at 30 to 35-degree temperatures.
2. Health benefits of Kundru
Many types of nutrients are found in Kundru. it is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals compared to other vegetables. In 100 gm of Kundru, you get 0/08 mg of Vitamin B-2 (riboflavin), 1.6 g-fibre, 1.4 mg of iron, 40 mg of calcium and 0.07 mg of vitamin B1 (thiamine). If you have obesity, heart disease, blood sugar and stomach related problems, you must consume Kundru. Apart from this, it has been considered beneficial in removing issues like cancer, kidney stones, nervous system, depression, fatigue, diabetes, digestion and weight loss. Kundru benefits our bodies in many ways.
3. Field Preparation and Fertilizer
Once planted, Kundru plants give a yield of 4 to 5 years. Therefore, before growing its crop, prepare the field properly. First, the area is cleaned, deep ploughing is done, and the remains of the old crop in the field should be removed. After this, leave the field for a few days to get sunlight like this. After that, leave the area by applying water. When the water in the field dries up, then two to three slant ploughing of the domain is done.
Due to this, the soil of the field becomes friable. By levelling the field in the friable soil, the pits are prepared for planting seedlings. These pits are designed in rows at a distance of one and a half meters. All these pits should be 30 cm long, deep and wide. Fill these pits with 4 to 5 kg of cow dung. To get a good crop of Kundru, 40 to 60 K.G. of Phosphorus, 60 to 80 K.G. of Nitrogen, and 40 K.G. of Potash have to be appropriately mixed and given in the field per hectare.
4. Irrigation Management during the summer
In the Kundru crop, the plants have to be watered for 4 to 5 days during the summer season. Apart from this, keep moisture in the field at the time of fruit formation, and take care of proper drainage during the rainy season. Because in case of waterlogging, the plants turn yellow and dry up.
5. Disease & Prevention
Many types of insect-borne diseases are found in the Kundru crop. In this, fruit fly disease is when the pest of the disease lays its eggs on the fruits, due to which the fruit gets destroyed by rotting. Apart from this, grey-coloured ladybug fruit beetle disease damages the leaves of plants by piercing them.
It also has powdery mildew disease, which attacks the stems and leaves as a fungus, causing the leaves to turn yellow and wither. To prevent all such conditions, a solution of micro zyme with cow urine or neem decoction is sprayed on the plants.
6. Harvesting
Kundru crop is ready for first harvesting after 45 to 50 days. Its fruits can be plucked several times in 4 to 5 days. The yield of Kundru is obtained according to the improved variety, manure, fertiliser and care of the crop. From this field, the farmer brothers get production of about 300 to 450 quintals per hectare. The market price of Kundru is also excellent, according to which the farmer brothers also earn a good income by producing Kundru.
