This presentation deals with the production, post harvest management and value added products from Bathua (CHENOPODIUM ALBUM L) winter weed crop. ICAR Institutes developed improved varieties . Rural youth can get employment and income generation resources from this low input crop.

1. BATHUA (CHENOPODIUM ALBUM L) PRODUCTION AND
PROCESSING FOR PARAMPARIC VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS
Dr Jai Singh (ARS)
Retd Director ICAR – CIPHET
Mob:8958463808 R Mail:jsingh.sre@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION
Bathua - Chenopodium (Chenopodium album L.), paramparic bhaji crop,is
a fast growing broad leaves annual winter weed plant. It belongs to
family Chenopodiaceae. Its fresh and dried leaves, stem and seed are
consumed for the ancient time by human and animals in many ways. The
seed contains 16.1% protein, 6.9% fat, 48.9% carbohydrate, and 5.8% ash
and used for bread or gruel. Seeds are popped or mixed with wheat flour.
This underutilized crop does not require high inputs and can be easily
grown on agriculturally marginal lands. In India, this plant is known by many
names such as Vastukah (Sanskrit), Bathus (Hindi, Oriya) Pappukura
(Telugu), Chandan bathua (Marathi), Vastuccira (Malayalam), Beto
Sag (Bengali), Parupukkirai (Tamil), Sakothina soppu (Kannada), Chilni
bhaji (Gujrati), Kaduoma ( Kannada), Chakvit (Konkani) and so on.
Health Benefits: Bathua leaves are filled with several wonder nutritional
qualities. Leaves are power house of Vitamin A, C , B complex, amino
acids, minerals (iron, potassium, phosphorous, calcium, etc) and
antioxidents. According to book, “Indian Medicinal Plants,” bathua acts as a
laxative, anthelmintic for hookworms and roundworms, and as a blood
purifier. It manages hepatic disorders, spleen enlargement, biliousness,
burns, and ulcers, treat rheumatism and arthritis. Buthua food products are
not recommended for pregnant women.
Important Varieties Developed in ICAR: Pusa Bathua-1, Pusa Bathua –
2, Kashi–Bathua-2 (IC 06 19019) or VRCHE-2). Black seeds, white seeds,

2. Soil: Bathua can be grown on a variety of soils but sandy loam or loam
soils are bestsuited. It is a moderately salt tolerant and can be grown in
saline-sodic soils.
Seed rate :1.5-2.0 kg seed is required for direct sowing and 450 gram seed
for raising nursery for a ha area.
Sowing: Land is well prepared adding 25-30 tonnes of farm yard manure
(FYM) and N: P: K @ 20:50:50 kg/ha. Also apply 50-60 kg urea / ha as top-
dressing in three split doses after first, second and third cuttings of the leaves.
Apply 1% urea and 0.5% micronutrients solution (multiplex) after each cutting for
quick growth of leaves. Seeds are sown in 30 cm apart rows at 3 mm depth. 35
days old seedlings are transplanted at 30 row to row and 20 cm plant to plant.
For seed production seedlings are planted at 60 x 45 cm.
Harvesting and Yield : Leaves are plucked by hand and kept in baskets.
First harvest after 40-45 days, thereafter at 20 days interval. 4-6 cuttings
are possible giving 35 – 39 tonnes / ha fresh yield having 15.2 % DM. Seed
crop is ready for harvest after 150-180. For seed harvest, the plant is bent
in basket and shaken. Matured seeds fall in the basket. Whole crop is
threshed by beating with sticks or by mechanical thresher. Seeds are
cleaned and dried to 8% moisture. A good crop may yield up to 6-7 quintal
seed / ha.
Preparation Methods:
Before any preparation, thorough wash and cleaning is required to remove
the dirt and soil / sand and damaged herbal part..
BATHUA PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY
Field preparation - plain Field preparation –
broad bed
Bathua seed Pusa Green
- 2
Bathua seeds

3. Bathua Seed Bathua Seed Seeding in rows
Mini seed master for
Bathua seed sowing
in rows
Mini seed master for Bathua
seed sowing in rows
Manual bathua seeder Manual bathua seeder ICAR - Drum seeder
Broadcast sowing of bathua Plain ring cultipacker
adjusts seeds in firm
and shallow furrows
Firm and shallow furrows
made by cultipacker
Nursery plot
Nursery beds Protective straw cover
on seeds
Nursey Bathua seedlings
from nrsery
Seedling planting Bathua vegetative
porpagation
Kashi – 2 Bathua Crop Pusa – 2 Bathua Crop
BATHUA SEED HARVEST AND PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY

4. Seed production encompasses activities like harvesting, threshing,
dehusking, cleaning, grading, destining, drying and packaging.
Bathua seed crop Seed harvest by ear head
shaking. Notional pic.
Seed harvest by
sweeping panicle .
Notional pic
Reaper harvester
Field drying of harvested
bathua seed crop
Threshing by stick
beating
Threshing machine
Threshing machine
Winnower grader Cleaner grader Destoner
Final bathua seed lot
Bathua Food Products: Bathua sabji, Bathua dal, Saag, Roti, Stuffed
paratha, Kachori,Ttikki, Raita, Chatney, Juice, Soup, Kadhi, Bathua ke
Gatte, Bathua thepla, Bathua Kadha, Bathua Idli, Bathua Mathri, and many
more.
Selected Special Bathua Food Products

5. Bathua cheese
Bathua raita masala
Kadhi, Bathua ke Gatte
Bathua tikki
Bathua kadhi
Bathua thepla Bathua Panchang Swaras
Ghan
Bathua cookies Bathua papadi Bathua digestive biscuits Bathua instant soup mix
Bathua Dehydrated / Dried Products
Open sun drying
Solar drier Solar tunnel drier
Bathua powder
Bathua Commercial Products:
Bathua Swaras Bathua edible seeds

6. Bathua juice Dried bathua saag
Note: The compilation presented here is based on literature available at
various sources .