Curry leaf is a perennial tree vegetable native to South Asia. Its leaves are used to flavor foods and retain their flavor when dried. It grows well in red sandy loam soil in a warm climate and tolerates temperatures up to 37°C. There are several varieties cultivated in India and other countries. Curry leaf is propagated through seeds and root suckers, and seedlings are planted during the monsoon season. Leaves can be harvested from mature plants every 2-3 months, with average yields of 20-25 tonnes/ha after the third year.

2. Curry leaf
 Botanical name: Murraya koenigii
 Family: Rutaceae, the orange and lemon family.

3. INTRODUCTION
Curry leaf is an important perennial tree
vegetable. Its leaves are used mainly to
improve the taste and flavour of foods. Leaves
are slightly pungent and retain their flavour
even after drying. Ground curry leaf with
mature coconut kernel and spices forms an
excellent preserve.
Curry leaf is an important perennial tree
vegetable. Its leaves are used mainly to
improve the taste and flavour of foods. Leaves
are slightly pungent and retain their flavour
even after drying. Ground curry leaf with
mature coconut kernel and spices forms an
excellent preserve.

4. Origins
Curry leaf trees are naturalized in forests and
waste land throughout the Indian subcontinent
except in the higher parts of the Himalayas. From
the Ravi river in Pakistan its distribution extends
eastwards towards Assam in India and Chittagong in
Bangladesh, and southwards to Tamil Nadu in India.
The plants were spread to Malaysia, South Africa
and Réunion Island with South Asian immigrants.
Curry leaf trees are naturalized in forests and
waste land throughout the Indian subcontinent
except in the higher parts of the Himalayas. From
the Ravi river in Pakistan its distribution extends
eastwards towards Assam in India and Chittagong in
Bangladesh, and southwards to Tamil Nadu in India.
The plants were spread to Malaysia, South Africa
and Réunion Island with South Asian immigrants.

5. Climate and soil
 Curry leaf can be cultivated in a wide range
of soils. Red sandy loam soil is ideal for its
cultivation. It can tolerate temperature up
to 37°C. But below 16°C, its growth is
affected.
 Red sandy loam soils with good drainage are
ideal for better leaf yield. The optimum
temperature requirement is 26° to 37°C.
 Curry leaf can be cultivated in a wide range
of soils. Red sandy loam soil is ideal for its
cultivation. It can tolerate temperature up
to 37°C. But below 16°C, its growth is
affected.
 Red sandy loam soils with good drainage are
ideal for better leaf yield. The optimum
temperature requirement is 26° to 37°C.

6. Varieties
 There are 2 improved varieties of curry leaf—DWD 1 and
DWD 2. Both of these have a good aroma. They have an oil
content of 5.22% and 4.09% respectively. They are mainly
cultivated in Karnataka.
DWD 1 is sensitive to winter season. During winter its
growth is poor, whereas DWD 2 is winter insensitive. It
gives higher yield than DWD 1. ‘Senkaampu’ is a local
cultivar grown in many parts ofTamil Nadu.
 OtherVarieties
 Sen Kaampa, Dharwad-1 and Dharwad-2
 There are 2 improved varieties of curry leaf—DWD 1 and
DWD 2. Both of these have a good aroma. They have an oil
content of 5.22% and 4.09% respectively. They are mainly
cultivated in Karnataka.
DWD 1 is sensitive to winter season. During winter its
growth is poor, whereas DWD 2 is winter insensitive. It
gives higher yield than DWD 1. ‘Senkaampu’ is a local
cultivar grown in many parts ofTamil Nadu.
 OtherVarieties
 Sen Kaampa, Dharwad-1 and Dharwad-2

7. Season of sowing and planting
 The main season of availability of curry leaf
fruits is July – August. With in 3 - 4 days of
collection of fruits, the seeds should be pulped
and sown in nursery beds or poly bags.
 One year old seedlings are suitable for
planting. One seedling is planted at the centre
of the pit.
 The main season of availability of curry leaf
fruits is July – August. With in 3 - 4 days of
collection of fruits, the seeds should be pulped
and sown in nursery beds or poly bags.
 One year old seedlings are suitable for
planting. One seedling is planted at the centre
of the pit.

8. Propagation
Curry leaf is mainly propagated through seeds. For raising
seedlings, well-ripe fruits are collected from high-yielding plants. The
seeds are sown either in nursery or polybags filled with a mixture of
1:1:1 sand, soil and farmyard manure. Seeds germinate in 3 weeks.
One-year-old seedlings are planted in the main field.
It can also be propagated by root suckers. There are a number of
root suckers near its plants. They are separated from the main plant
during rainy season and planted immediately in the main field.
Curry leaf is mainly propagated through seeds. For raising
seedlings, well-ripe fruits are collected from high-yielding plants. The
seeds are sown either in nursery or polybags filled with a mixture of
1:1:1 sand, soil and farmyard manure. Seeds germinate in 3 weeks.
One-year-old seedlings are planted in the main field.
It can also be propagated by root suckers. There are a number of
root suckers near its plants. They are separated from the main plant
during rainy season and planted immediately in the main field.

9. Planting
Planting in the main field is done
during the monsoon season. The main
field is ploughed thoroughly. Pits of 30cm
× 30cm size are dug at a spacing of 4m ×
4m. Farmyard manure @ 10kg/pit is
applied.
Planting in the main field is done
during the monsoon season. The main
field is ploughed thoroughly. Pits of 30cm
× 30cm size are dug at a spacing of 4m ×
4m. Farmyard manure @ 10kg/pit is
applied.

10. Preparation of field
The field is ploughed 3-4 times to get
a fine tilth. Before last ploughing well
decomposed FYM is applied @ 20 t/ha.
Pit size of 30 x30x30 cm is dug one to
two months before planting at a spacing
of 1.2 to 1.5 m.
The field is ploughed 3-4 times to get
a fine tilth. Before last ploughing well
decomposed FYM is applied @ 20 t/ha.
Pit size of 30 x30x30 cm is dug one to
two months before planting at a spacing
of 1.2 to 1.5 m.

11. Manuring and fertilization
Usually curry leaf plant is not given
inorganic fertilizers. But for higher yields, its
plant may be given 10kg farmyard manure and
NPK @ 60:80:40g/plant/year. The fertilizers
may be applied at the onset of the monsoon.
 Application of fertilizers
After each harvest 20 kg of FYM/plant is
applied and mixed with soil.
Usually curry leaf plant is not given
inorganic fertilizers. But for higher yields, its
plant may be given 10kg farmyard manure and
NPK @ 60:80:40g/plant/year. The fertilizers
may be applied at the onset of the monsoon.
 Application of fertilizers
After each harvest 20 kg of FYM/plant is
applied and mixed with soil.

12. Aftercare
The pit should be irrigated if there is no
rain. The plant should be irrigated at 3-day
intervals, if there are no rains. The field should
be kept weed free. The plants should be
trained and pruned to maintain a height of
1m. Their terminal buds are removed to
encourage lateral branching. A minimum of 5–
6 branches are kept per plant.
The pit should be irrigated if there is no
rain. The plant should be irrigated at 3-day
intervals, if there are no rains. The field should
be kept weed free. The plants should be
trained and pruned to maintain a height of
1m. Their terminal buds are removed to
encourage lateral branching. A minimum of 5–
6 branches are kept per plant.

13. Inter cultivation
Periodical hoeing and in the first year
intercrop like pulses can be grown. After
attaining 1 m height, the terminal bud is cut
off to encourage basal branching. In total 5-6
branches are maintained per bush. Ten to
twelve months after planting the first harvest
starts.
Periodical hoeing and in the first year
intercrop like pulses can be grown. After
attaining 1 m height, the terminal bud is cut
off to encourage basal branching. In total 5-6
branches are maintained per bush. Ten to
twelve months after planting the first harvest
starts.

14. Pests
 Citrus butterfly
Hand picking and destruction of the
larvae and spray Malathian @ 1 ml/
lit.
 Psyllid bug and scale
Psyllid bug and scales can be
controlled by spraying Dimethoate @
1 ml/lit.
 Citrus butterfly
Hand picking and destruction of the
larvae and spray Malathian @ 1 ml/
lit.
 Psyllid bug and scale
Psyllid bug and scales can be
controlled by spraying Dimethoate @
1 ml/lit.

15. Diseases
 Leaf spot
Leaf spot disease can be controlled by spraying
Carbendazim @ 1 g/lit of water. Spraying Sulphur compounds
should be avoided.
 Leaf spot
Leaf spot disease can be controlled by spraying
Carbendazim @ 1 g/lit of water. Spraying Sulphur compounds
should be avoided.

16. Harvesting and Postharvest management
Curry leaves are picked 15 months after
planting. Commercial harvest can be started
from 3-year-old plants. With good
management, normal yield can be obtained up
to the age of 20–25 years. The leaves can be
harvested at two-and-a-half to three months
intervals, the average yield being 20–25
tonnes/ha.
Curry leaves are picked 15 months after
planting. Commercial harvest can be started
from 3-year-old plants. With good
management, normal yield can be obtained up
to the age of 20–25 years. The leaves can be
harvested at two-and-a-half to three months
intervals, the average yield being 20–25
tonnes/ha.

17. Harvest and yield
At the end of first year 250-400 kg of leaves/ha can be harvested.
 In II year : Once in 4 months every time 1800
kg/ha which would work out to 5400 kg/ha/year
 III year : Yield 5400 kg/ha
 IV year :2500 kg/ha once in 3 months which
would work out to 10,000 kg/ha/year
 V year onwards : 5000 kg/ha once in 3 months which
work out to 20,000 kg/ha/year
At the end of first year 250-400 kg of leaves/ha can be harvested.
 In II year : Once in 4 months every time 1800
kg/ha which would work out to 5400 kg/ha/year
 III year : Yield 5400 kg/ha
 IV year :2500 kg/ha once in 3 months which
would work out to 10,000 kg/ha/year
 V year onwards : 5000 kg/ha once in 3 months which
work out to 20,000 kg/ha/year

18. Reference
 http://aaqua.persistent.co.in/aaqua/forum/viewthread?thr
ead=19775
 http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/horticulture/horti_vegetables_c
urry%20leaf.html
 www. Iisr.com
 www.cisr.com
 http://aaqua.persistent.co.in/aaqua/forum/viewthread?thr
ead=19775
 http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/horticulture/horti_vegetables_c
urry%20leaf.html
 www. Iisr.com
 www.cisr.com