Cultivation Of Ajwain Or Carom Seeds

Ajwain or Carom seeds are the most prominent spice in this global world. Compared to other cultivation crops, Ajwain has so much potentiality to with stand and bring profits to the farmers even in drought conditions. Due to its culinary and medicinal benefits, the demand in the market would always be hopeful for the farmers. The only thing farmers should be aware of its cultivation is irrigation. This stage plays a crucial role as Ajwain is very sensitive to water. So lets see what are the various stages of Ajwain cultivation.

Growing conditions

• Hot and dry weather conditions are said to be the best suited for Ajwain cultivation.
• Loamy, Clayey, Well drained soils, heavy and medium soils are most appropriate for its growth, but sandy soils are unsuitable.

Growing methods

• This crop doesn't requires too much preparation of land. As usual you can plough the land in to fine tilth by separating weeds and other wastage of previous crop.
• You can propagate seedlings through seeds or cuttings, but mostly experts recommend to go with the seeds as the yield would be more.

Seeding Procedures

• Mid October to end of November period is considered as ideal for sowing the seeds of Ajwain.
• The seeds are sown in to the field either by seed drilling method or by dibbling method. Most commonly the farmers adopt the traditional method of spreading the seeds directly on to the field.
• Generally it takes one plus week time for the germination of seeds.
• For traditional and dibbling method 1.4 kg seeds are required per hectare where as seed drilling method comprises 2.5 to 3 kgs of seeds.
• Before sowing the seeds make sure to treat them with necessary chemicals by consulting the experts.
• Follow the spacing distance of 60-90 cm if you are going with seed drilling method. If you choose dibbling method, 45x45cm of ridges and furrows should be made.

Irrigation

• Ajwain is very sensitive to water logging and care should be taken while carrying this process.
• As this stage decides the yield and your profit levels, consider expert advice to take necessary arrangements.
• Usually 5 to 6 irrigations are required for this crop with the interval of two to three weeks. If you are carrying it as a rain fed crop, then irrigation is must at the time of flowering.

Plant protection

• Weeds are the primary threat to this crop and to avoid this 2 to 3 times weeding has to be done either by manually or by spraying chemicals.
• Moreover Aphids and Powdery Mildew are the pests and diseases that affect the yield drastically. Hence expert advice is needed in this regard to control their impact on the output.

Harvesting

• Usually this crop comes to harvesting stage within 6 months.
• Mostly this phase is carried out manually by using a thresher. The fruits are separated by beating the removed plants with sticks.
• At an average the rain fed crop gives 7 quintals of Ajwain per hectare while the irrigated crop produces 12 quintals per hectare.