AGRONOMY
Plant Population	10000 to 12000 per acre
Seed Rate	150 to 200 grams Per Acre
Selection of the field/land preparation practices	The field should be well prepared free from weeds and a well drainage facility. 1-2 deep ploughing, Soil should be exposed to sunlight, 3 to 4 rounds of harrows to reach fine tilt. Before the final harrow, apply 8 to 10 MT well-decomposed FYM/acre along with 250 gm Trichoderma for controlling soil-born fungus.
Seed Treatment-rate of timing/ chemical	Seeds are treated with Carbendazim 2g + Thiram 2 g per Kg of seeds.
Sowing Time	August to December
Sowing Method	Seed Rate:  120 to 150 g per acre. Sowing: Direct in the main field Spacing: Row to Row and Plant to Plant - 150 x 45 cm Transplanting: Transplanting should be done @ 30-35 days after sowing. Plant population should be maintained 10000 to 12000 per acre
Fertilizer dose with timing	Total N:P:K requirement @ 100:100:120 kg per acre. Basal Dose: Apply 50% N and 100% P, K as basal dose during final land preparation. Top Dressing: 25% N at 30 days after sowing and 25% N at 50 days after sowing.
Weed Control- Chemicals with doses and timing	Timely weed removal is very important, need-based hand weeding can be done to ensure a healthy crop.
Diseases & Pest control- Chemicals with doses and timing	For effective crop control use the following Insect and disease solutions: Powdery Mildew and Anthracnose - Apply Amistar (200ml/acre), Fruit rot - Apply Kavach @ 400g/acre and for any other diseases apply fungicide as per recommendation from the Department of Agriculture (plant protection) White Fly+Mites - Apply Pegasus @ 250g/acre Spodetara+ Fruit Borer - Apply Cigna @ 250 ml/acre Fruit Borer - Apply Proclaim @ 80g/acre and for any other Insects apply recommended insecticides
Irrigation Schedule	Irrigation Frequency Depends upon – Soil type:   Light soils need more frequency. Heavy soils need less frequency. Crop stage: Vegetative stage: maintain adequate moisture for the development of roots. Flowering & fruiting - frequent and shallow irrigation. Harvesting - gradually reduce irrigation during harvesting Growing season: Summer - requires frequent irrigation. Winter- As against the summer season, in winter the irrigation frequency is longer. Rainy - very less frequently depending upon soil moisture
Harvesting	Full mature firm green fruits start harvesting at 60-65 days, later at 5 to 7 days intervals. Timely picking stimulates plants to produce more flowers