Sunhemp (Baru) is a tropical and subtropical leguminous crop grown for both fiber and green manuring purposes. It grows well in warm, moist climates with well-drained, light to medium textured soils. It is planted during the Kharif season from June to July either through broadcasting or drilling. For green manuring, the seed rate is 60-80 kg/ha and the crop is harvested after 2-2.5 months at flowering stage. For fiber production, the seed rate is 15-16 kg/ha at a spacing of 30x5 cm and harvested after 4-4.5 months at pod formation stage. Its main pests include jute semilooper and

1. Sunhemp ( Baru)

2. Sunnhemp (Baru)

 B.N Crotalaria juncea
Family : Leguminosae
Varieties : D-IXT-6 , M-18, K-12, ST-55
Ecology :
Climate
It is a tropical and subtropical crop,
grown in a warm and moist climate

3. 
 Soil
It requires a well drained soils ,
soils like light , medium and alluvial soils.
Land preparation:
Land is prepared by one deep ploughing and
2-3 harrowing
Sowing season: Kharif ie June to July
Sowing methods :
1) Broad casting
2) Drilling

4. 
Seed rate and spacing :
1) Seed rate :
 for green manuring: 60-80 kg/ha.
 2) Seed rate for fiber: 15-16 kg/ha.
Spacing : 30 X5 cm.
Manures and fertilizers :
Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)
 0:16:0 Npk kg/ ha
For seed purpose as well as for green manure
purpose,
apply Phosphours@16 kg/acre.
As it is leguminous crop, nitrogen fertilizer are
given. But some time,
initially to boost up crop, Nitrogen@4-6 kg/acre
applied.

5. Pest and diseases :
Pests :
1) Jute Semi-looper
This pest is feed on the top leaves which affect
the growth of plant
2) Hairy caterpillar
This pest feed on the leaves due to this plant
is defoliate
 C.M:
1) Remove and destroy the eggs.
2) Dust the lindane powder @ 20 kg/ha

6.  Diseases :
1) Powdery mildew 2) Rust 3) Wilt
1 ) Powdery mildew:
This is a fungal diseases, in this diseases white
powder like or cotton like growth is
appear on the lower surface of leaves due to this
leaves becomes yellow or black and dry
2) Rust:
This is a fungal diseases in this diseases yellow or
brown spots appears on the leaves and branches due
to this leaves or plant dry

7. 3) Wit:
This is fungal diseases in this diseases leaves
becomes yellow and finally complete plant is
dry roots also becomes a black
CM
1) Grow resistant varieties
2) Dust sulphur or bavistin @ 20 kg/ha.
3) Treat the seeds with fungicide like thyrum
@ 2-3 gm/kg of seed.


8. Harvesting and yield :
For green manuring purpose crop is harvested
afer 2-2.5 month of sowing at flowering stage.
For fiber purpose crop is harvested after 4-4.5
month of sowing at pod formation stage
Harvesting is done by cutting the plants close
to the ground with sickle,
harvested plants are tied into the bundles and
kept in field for 4-5 days for drying
 , bundles are then brought for retting

9. Yield :
1) Grecn manuring 8-10 tone/ha.
 2) Fibers: 4-5 q/ha.
3) Seeds: 2-2.3 q/ha.

10. Retting and extrction:
Harvested bundles are kept in flowing water at
the depth of 60-90 cm.
Retting process is completed in one week.
Bundles are taken out from water when bark
become soft and separate easily.
Fiber are removed by hand from lower end to
upward .
Fibers are then washed in clean water and
dried in sun for 2-3 days by hanging

11. Economic uses :
Sunnhemp is grown as fiber and green
manuring crop.
Fibers are used for making the ropes, nets and
rough cloths.
 It provide raw material for manufacturing the
tissue papers.
Dried plants are used as a fuel
It add organic matter and N in into the soils.
 It help for reclaimed salt soils.

12. Thank you!
Agr. Vitthal Dudhate
Founder of Dudhate
Crop Academy
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@CropsciencewithVitthalSir