Anyone cultivate stevia in tamilnadu?
- Thread starter yogaraj12
- Start date
hello sir
Land Preparation
The land sites are ploughed and or cultivated twice to prepare a fairly smooth, firm-planting surface.
Transplants
Transplants from cuttings would be superior, however cost makes it prohibitive. Stevia must be propagated from seed in plug trays placed in a greenhouse for a period of 7 to 8 weeks.
Planting
Depending on different climatic conditions Stevia is cultivable throughout the year except for times when it is extremely hot or cold. Stevia plug plants are planted into the field on either 53 cm or 61 cm row spacing with a total plant density in the order of 100,000 plants per hectare.
Fertilization
The plant appears to have low nutrient requirements, however a soil test should be conducted. Jeevan Herbs and Agro Farms is committed to and encourages total organic cultivation.
Irrigation
Normally, the Stevia plant requires frequent, shallow irrigation. Generally, one applies irrigation if the stem tips are drooping at least one time per week.
Weed Control
This crop also requires hand hoeing and weeding.
Pests
Insect pest pressures other than cutworm are minimal. Septoria disease can cause considerable damage to the Stevia crop. Animals seem to like the sweet taste of Stevia, too.
Harvesting
Time of harvesting depends on land variety and growing season. Generally it can be scheduled when plants are 40-60 centimeters in height. Shorter days induce flowering. Optimum yield (biomass) and stevioside quality and quantity is best just prior to flowering. The plant will tolerate very low temperatures.
Drying
Drying of the woody stems plus the soft green leaf material is completed immediately after harvesting utilizing a drying wagon or a kiln. Depending on weather conditions and density of loading, it generally takes 24 to 48 hours to dry Stevia at 40°C to 50°C. An estimated 21,500 kg/ha of green weight is dried down to 6,000 kg/ha of dry weight.
Threshing
Immediately following drying, a specially designed thresher/separator is necessary to separate dry Stevia leaves from its stem. Stem and leaf portions tend to be equally represented at 3,000 kg/ha each.
Land Preparation
The land sites are ploughed and or cultivated twice to prepare a fairly smooth, firm-planting surface.
Transplants
Transplants from cuttings would be superior, however cost makes it prohibitive. Stevia must be propagated from seed in plug trays placed in a greenhouse for a period of 7 to 8 weeks.
Planting
Depending on different climatic conditions Stevia is cultivable throughout the year except for times when it is extremely hot or cold. Stevia plug plants are planted into the field on either 53 cm or 61 cm row spacing with a total plant density in the order of 100,000 plants per hectare.
Fertilization
The plant appears to have low nutrient requirements, however a soil test should be conducted. Jeevan Herbs and Agro Farms is committed to and encourages total organic cultivation.
Irrigation
Normally, the Stevia plant requires frequent, shallow irrigation. Generally, one applies irrigation if the stem tips are drooping at least one time per week.
Weed Control
This crop also requires hand hoeing and weeding.
Pests
Insect pest pressures other than cutworm are minimal. Septoria disease can cause considerable damage to the Stevia crop. Animals seem to like the sweet taste of Stevia, too.
Harvesting
Time of harvesting depends on land variety and growing season. Generally it can be scheduled when plants are 40-60 centimeters in height. Shorter days induce flowering. Optimum yield (biomass) and stevioside quality and quantity is best just prior to flowering. The plant will tolerate very low temperatures.
Drying
Drying of the woody stems plus the soft green leaf material is completed immediately after harvesting utilizing a drying wagon or a kiln. Depending on weather conditions and density of loading, it generally takes 24 to 48 hours to dry Stevia at 40°C to 50°C. An estimated 21,500 kg/ha of green weight is dried down to 6,000 kg/ha of dry weight.
Threshing
Immediately following drying, a specially designed thresher/separator is necessary to separate dry Stevia leaves from its stem. Stem and leaf portions tend to be equally represented at 3,000 kg/ha each.