Prepare the main field to a fine tilth. Add FYM 20 – 25 t/ha before last ploughing. Form
beds and channels of 3.5 x 1.5 m. Seeds are sown at a spacing of 20 X 15 cm. Spray preemergence herbicide Fluchloralin 700 ml in 500 lit of water per ha.
Hoeing and weeding during the early stages of plant growth are required to encourage proper growth. Plants are thinned at 20-25 days after sowing to keep the distance between the plants at 10-15 cm and to retain 1 to 2 plants per hill. Young shoots are nipped off 4-5 cm above ground level and subsequent cuttings of leaves may be taken after 15 days. It is advisable to take 1 to 2 cuttings before the crop is allowed for flowering and fruiting.
1)Root rot- Soil application of neem cake @ 150 kg/ha and seed treatment with T. asperellum @ 4 g/kg or drenching with carbendazim @ 0.5 g/l or copper oxychloride @ 2 g/l or T.asperellum @ 5 kg/ha
2)Powdery mildew- Dust sulphur @ 25 kg/ha or foliar spray with wettable sulphur @ 2 g/l at the time of appearance of disease.