This document provides information about the production of three leafy vegetables: amaranth, spinach, and coriander. It discusses the botanical details, varieties, climate and soil requirements, cultivation practices like sowing time, manures and fertilizers, and diseases and pests of each crop. For amaranth, several improved varieties are described for both leafy and grain types. Similarly for spinach and coriander, popular varieties developed in India are outlined. The document serves as a useful reference for the cultivation of these important leafy vegetables.

1. Advances in Vegetable
Production
Course no: VSC-601
Credit: 2+1=3
Course Teacher
Dr. C. D. Pawar
Department of Horticulture
College of Agriculture,
Dapoli

2. Advances in Production
Technology of Leafy Vegetables
By Pravina S. Barde
Reg.no. ADPD/18/0297

3. 1. Amaranth
 Amaranth / Poor man’s Spinach,
Chaulai
 Botanical name : Amaranthus spp.
 Family : Amaranthaceae
 Chromosome no. : 2n= 32, 34,64
 Origin : India Introduction: 65 genus &
850 species present in family
Amaranthaceae

4. Importance of Amaranth
Out of which Amaranth have 50-60 species.
It is the most commonly leafy grown vegetable during
summer and rainy season in India
Tender leaves and stem are consumed as vegetable.
Rich source of Protein, Ca, Fe, Folic acid, Vitamin A &
C.

5.  Amaranth and the use of it’s Plant part
 Leaves- Soups, Salads, Spices,
Medicine, Tea.
 Stem- Feed.
 Roots-Pigments.
 Seeds- Flour, Grain, Confectionery
products, Infant food, Oil, Starch,
Proteins, Vitamins, Beverage.
 Land reclamation
 Green manure
 Source of biofuel etc.

6. Leafy type Grain Type
 CO-1 (A. dubius)
CO-2 (A. tricolor)
 CO-3 (A.tritis)
 CO-5(A.tricolor)
 Pusa Badi Chauli(A. tricolor)
 Pusa Chhoti Chauli (A.
blitum)
Pusa Lal Chaulai(A. tricolor)
 Pusa Kiran(A. tricolor x
A.tritis)
 Pusa Kirti (A.tricolor)
 Sirukerai(A.polygonoids)
 Arka Arunima( A.tricolor)
CO-4 (A. hypochondriacus)
Amont (Amaranthus cruentus)

7. Characters of varieties
CO. l (A. Dubius) This tetraploid variety was developed by selection
from local germplasm. Stem and leaves are dark
green; leaf stem ratio is 2:0, inflorescence terminal
and axillary; lacks initial vigour but makes rapid
growth after 30 days; suitable for late harvest;
resistant to Rhizoctonia leaf blight; green yield 8.0
t/ha; seed yield 1.5 t/ha.
CO.2 (A.
Tricolor)
Stem and leaves green, leaves lanceolate and
slightly elongate, leaf-stem ratio 1:8, suited for early
harvest; yield 10.78 t/ha.
CO.3 (A. tristis) This is specifically suited for clipping of tender greens
and is locally known as ‘Araikeera' in Tamil. Leaves
are small and green; stem is slender and tender. First
clipping is possible in 20 days after sowing. Nearly
10 clippings can be taken over a period of 90 days.
Due to very high leaf stem ratio, cooking quality and
taste are excellent. Special care is required in land
preparation for the variety.

8. CO. 4 (A.hypochondriacus) This grain type makes rapid
vegetative growth within a period of
20-25 days. Plants are dwarf; grain
yield 2.0-2.5 t/ha in 80-90 days.
CO.5 (A. tricolor) Leaves double coloured with
Green and pink and is free from
fibre. It gives a rosette growth in
early stages and first harvest is
possible in 25 days; yield 40 t/ha in
55 days.

9. Climate and Soil requirement
 Amaranth is a warm season crop,
requires hot, humid condition.
 It can also be grown under temperate
climate during summer.
 20-30 C optimum for vegetative growth.
 Best crop is harvested from fertile loamy
soils.
 The best soil pH range 5.5 and 7.5 but
some variety can grow up to 10 pH.
 The soil should be brought to a fine tilth
by ploughing 3-4 times followed by
planking.

10. Sowing time
North Indian
Condition
South India
Condition
For grain purpose
Summer crop:
Feb-Mar
Rainy season:
June-July
Throughout
the year
1st -2nd week of June-July
Seed Rate
2 kg/ ha
(direct
sowing)
1 kg/ha
(transplanting)
1.5-2kg/ha (grain)
Spacing
For leafy type: 20-30cm X 10-
15cm
For grain type: 50cm X 20-
30cm

11.  Manures and Fertilizers:
 FYM @ 25 t/ha 50:50:20 kg /ha of
NPK.
 Irrigation:
 Being short duration crop, it requires
plenty of water for growth and high
yield.
 In summer (4–6 days interval).
 In kharif (as per required).
 Weeding : One or two weeding or
hoeing.

12.  Harvesting :
 Healthy, succulent plants are pulled as a
whole, washed and send to the market as
a tender green.
 First cutting ready at 25-30 DAS, 6-8
cuttings possible whereas for grain type
80- 100 DAS.
 Yield: For Leafy: 10t/ha.
For Grainy type: 2-4t/ha + 40q/ha
green leaf.

13.  Storage and Marketing
 Doesn’t stand storage for more than a day under room
temp.
 Under cold storage conditions it can be stored for 10-
15 days with 95% relative humidity.
 Seed production of amaranth
 30cm × 30cm spacing.
 The fertilizer schedule of N:P :K @ 50:50:30 kg/ha for
better seed yield.
 Isolation distance of 400m
 Harvesting of seeds done when plants turn yellow or
deep brown in colour.
 Seeds are threshed with pliable bamboo sticks and
strained through 2mm sieve.
 Dried seeds with 6% moisture content are stored after
treating with Bavistin @ 2g/kg seed.

14.  Bolting :
 Premature flowering or bolting is a serious
problem in amaranth.
 Quality and yield deteriorate after flowering.
 Cause:
i) Planting of short day variety during
November-
December
ii) Deficiency of nitrogen
iii) Extreme high temperature and poor soil
aeration
 Control Measures:
i) Raising of crop at ideal time depending on
locality
ii) Frequent application of nitrogen fertilizers and
manures
iv) Keeping soil loose by light hoeing

15. Diseases
 Anthracnose Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
 Symptoms
 Necrotic lesions on leaves; dieback of leaves and branches
 Management
 Avoid damaging plants and creating wounds for pathogen to enter;
plant resistant varieties
 Damping-off Rhizoctonia spp.
Pythium spp.
 Symptoms
 Poor germination; seedling collapse; brown-black lesions girdling
stem close to soil line; seedling fail to emerge from soil
 Disease emergence favours wet soils
 Management
 Avoid planting seeds too deeply; do not plant seeds too thickly to
promote air circulation around seedlings; do not over-water plants

16. Pests
 Pigweed weevil (Hypolixus haerens)
 Symptoms
 Withering plants; stems bending and
collapsing
 Management
 Uproot and destroy infested plants to
limit weevil population

17. 2. Spinach
 Spinach/Palak
 Botanical name : Spinacia oleracea
 Family : Chenopodiaceae
 Chromosome no. : 2n = 2x= 12
 Origin : South West Asia
• Spinach is the most important highly
nutritious green leafy winter vegetable.
• Rich in vitamin , anti-oxidant and
contain considerable amount of Fe &
Ca.

18. Improved varieties in India
 a)Pusa Jyoti: It produces large,
green, thick, tender, succulent and
crisp. It gives 6 to 8 cuttings.
 b)Pusa All green: Green tender
leaves, gives about 6 cuttings
depending upon time of sowing and
management.

19.  C)Virginia Savoy: It is a prickly
seeded cultivar having blistered large
green leaves with round tip. Plants are
upright and vigorous in growth.
 D)Early Smooth Leaf: This is a
smooth seeded cultivar producing
small light green leaves with pointed
tip.
 e)Pusa Harit f)Jobner Green. g)Giant
Noble h)Prickly seeded

20. Climate and Soil requirement
 Spinach is strictly cool season vegetable
crop.
 High temperature and long days caused
bolting.
 Range for optimum growth and
development is 15-25o C.
 Best suited to cultivate in hills and
temperate regions.
 Thrive well in well drained fertile soil.
 Soil pH 6-7 ideal for cultivation.

21. Sowing and Seed rate
 In plains, sown Sept-Oct
 In hills, sown during Mar- June
 In high-hills, sown during July-Sept
 Seed rate: 35-45kg/ha.

22.  Manures and Fertilizers
 FYM @ 20-25t/ha
 NPK @ 70:50:50 kg/ha Irrigation
 Being shallow rooted, frequent
irrigation at 5-6 in summer and 8-10
days in winter.
 Weed Control 1-2 shallow hoeing

23. Diseases and pest
 Anthracnose Colletotrichum spp.
 Symptoms
 Small water-soaked spots on leaves which
enlarge and turn tan or brown in colour with a
papery texture; if infection is severe, lesions may
coalesce and cause severe blighting
 Management
 Only plant seed from disease-free plants;
 avoid sprinkler or overhead irrigation where
possible, watering plants from the base to reduce
leaf wetness;
 copper fungicides are sometimes used in the
case of an epidemic.

24.  Mosaic and other viruses
 Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)
Beet curly top virus (BCTV)
Tobacco rattle virus (TRV)
Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV)
etc.
 Symptoms
 Chlorotic leaves which may have necrotic spots, mosaic
patterns or ring spots; leaves may be puckered and overall
growth of plant is poor and stunted
 Comments
 Transmitted by various insects such as aphids and thrips;
Tobacco rattle virus is transmitted by nematodes in the soil
and is not a common disease of spinach
 Management
 Practice good weed management around plants;
insecticide applications are generally not effective at
preventing the disease but can prevent secondary spread
to neighbouring fields

25.  Category : Mites
 Spinach crown mite Rhizoglyphus spp.
 Symptoms
 Leaves deformed; small holes in newly
expanding leaves; mites are tiny and
transparent, living deep in the crown of
the spinach plant; damage can be done
to newly emerged seedlings or to older
plants
 Management
 Destroy crop debris immediately after
harvest; application of appropriate
acaricide may be required if mites are
damaging and weather conditions are
cool and wet

26.  (Aphids, Peach aphid, Potato aphid) Myzus persicae
Macrosiphon euphorbiae
 Symptoms
 If aphid infestation is heavy it may cause leaves to
yellow and/or distorted, necrotic spots on leaves and/or
stunted shoots; aphids secrete a sticky, sugary
substance called honeydew which encourages the
growth of sooty mold on the plants
 Management
 If aphid population is limited to just a few leaves or
shoots then the infestation can be pruned out to provide
control; check transplants for aphids before planting;
 Reflective mulches such as silver coloured plastic can
deter aphids from feeding on plants;
 Insecticidal soaps or oils such as neem is usually the
best method of control; always check the labels of the
products for specific usage guidelines prior to use

27.  Harvesting & Yield
 First cutting ready at 3-4 WAS Total 4-
5 cuttings at 15days interval
 Harvesting in early morning to be
avoided as dew makes the leaves
brittle and spoil.
 Leaves yield: 100-150q/ha

28.  Bolting
 Spinach begins to bolt in warm
weather, give bitter taste.
 The plants look tall with thick stalks
when they start flowering.

29. 3.Coriander
 Botanical name of Coriander is Coriandrum
sativum and an annual herb in the family Apiaceae
.
 In India, coriander is known as ‘dhania’ in Hindi
language.
 Chromosome no is 2n = 22 one of the major
vegetable spice crop in India and native of the
Mediterranean region.

30. Importants
 The pleasant aroma is due to an
essential element-called d-linalol or
coriandrol .
 Coriander seeds and leaves are used
as common food flavouring agents.
Coriander seeds have medicinal
properties too and therefore used as a
carminative, and diuretic.

31.  The leaves are variable in shape,
broadly lobed at the base of the plant,
and slender and feathery higher on the
flowering stems.
 All parts of the plant are edible, but the
fresh leaves and the dried seeds are
commonly used in cooking.
 In India, it occupies 447 thousand
hectares area with annual production
314 thousand tonnes.
 In India, coriander is cultivated in
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, UP and
southern states like AP, Karnataka, and

32.  Climatic Requirements
 Being a tropical crop, coriander plants
prefer frost-free tropical climate at the
time of flowering and seed formation.
Cool and comparatively dry climate.
 Sowing time
 June – July and October – November

33. Soil Preparation for Cultivation of
Coriander
 Well drained silt or loamy soils are
suited for cultivation.
 For rainfed cultivation soil should be
clay in nature and the pH should be 6
– 8.
 Coriander performs well at a
temperature range of 20 – 25 °C

34.  Commercial Varieties of Coriander
 RCr 41 A tall variety of coriander with small grains;
highly resistant to stem gall and wilt; moderately
tolerant to powdery mildew; matures in 130–140 days;
average yield is 9.2 q/ha.
 RCr 20 Medium tall variety of coriander with bushy and
spreading growth habit; produces oval, large-sized
grains; moderately tolerant to powdery mildew, wilt as
well as stem gall; matures in 100–110 days; average
yield is 10q/ha.
 RCr 435 An early variety of coriander with medium-
sized grains; matures in 110–130 days; average yield is
10.5 q/ha.
 RCr 436 Another early-growing variety of coriander with
bold grains; matures in 90–100 days; average yield is
11.09 q/ha

35.  RCr 446: Erect-growing leafy variety of coriander with medium-sized
grains; matures in 110–130 days; average yield is 12 q/ha.
 GC 1: Erect-growing variety of coriander with medium-sized, round,
yellow colour grains; moderately tolerant to wilt and powdery mildew;
matures in 112 days; average yield is 11q/ha.
 GC 2: A medium-tall variety of coriander with semi-spreading growth
habit with dense, dark green foliage and medium-sized grains;
moderately tolerant to wilt and powdery mildew; matures in 110
days; average yield is 14.5 q/ha.
 Sindhu: Dwarf variety of coriander with medium-bold, oval, straw-
colored grains; tolerant to wilt and powdery mildew, and resistant to
aphids; matures in 102 days; average yield is 10.5 q/ha.
 Sadhna: Medium-tall variety of coriander with semi-erect stems and
bold, oval, straw–colored grains; tolerant to white fly and mites;
matures in 100 days; average yield is 10.3 q/ha.
 Swathi: Semi-erect growing variety of coriander with medium-bold,
oval, brownish-yellow grains; tolerant to whitefly, grain moulds and
wilt; yield is 8.89 q/ha

36.  Co 1: Dwarf variety of coriander with globular, small–sized, dusty brown
grains; matures in 100–120 days with an average yield of 4.0 q/ha.
 Co 2: Erect-growing variety of coriander with oblong, medium-sized dull
yellowish-brown grains; matures in 90–110 days with an average grain yield
of 5.2 q/ha and green yield of 100 q/ha
 Co 3: Dwarf variety of coriander with medium-bold, oblong, brownish-yellow
grains; tolerant to wilt, powdery mildew and grain mould; matures in 86–104
days with an average yield of 6.5 q/ha
 CS 287: Early-maturing variety of coriander with medium-sized, oblong,
straw grains; tolerant to wilt and grain mould; matures in 78–97 days with an
average yield of 6.0 q/ha
 RD 44 (Rajendra Swathi): A medium variety of coriander with fine, round,
aromatic grains; resistant to stem gall and moderately resistant to wilt, aphids
and weevil; matures in 100 days with an average yield of 13 q/ha.
 DH 5: Medium-tall variety of coriander with bushy growth and round
attractive grains of medium-size; matures in 120–130 days with an average
yield of 18–20 q/ha under good management

37.  Field preparation and sowing:
 Prepare the main field to a fine tilth and
form beds and channels (for irrigated
crop). Sow the split seeds at a spacing of
20 x 15 cm. The seeds will germinate in
about 8-15 days.
 Presowing seed hardening treatment
with Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate
@ 10g/lit of water for 16 hours is to be
done for rainfed crop. Seeds are to be
treated with Azospirillum @ 3
packets/ha. Seed treatment with
Trichoderma viride @ 4 g/kg of seed has
to be done to control wilt disease.

38.  Seed rate:
 10 – 12 kg/ha (Irrigated crop) and 20 –
25 kg/ha (Rainfed crop)
 Whole seed will not germinate and
hence the seeds are split open into
halves before sowing for more
germination percentage

39.  Seed Treatment:
 Soak the seeds in water for 12 hours.
Treat the seeds with Azospirillum @
1.5 kg /ha for better crop
establishment + Trichoderma viride @
50 kg/ha to control wilt disease. Pre
sowing seed hardening treatment with
Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate @
10 g/lit of water for 16 hours is to be
done for rainfed crop.

40.  Manuring for Cultivation of
Coriander:
 Basal FYM 10 t/ha; 10 kg N, 40 kg P
and 20 kg K for rainfed and irrigated
crops.
 Top dressing may be done at 10 kg
N/ha 30 days after sowing for the
irrigated crop only

41.  Weed control
 In cultivation of coriander, first weeding is
done 30 days after sowing and second
weeding in irrigated coriander may be
done between 50 and 60 days of sowing
depending upon the weed growth.
Herbicides may also be applied for weed
control. Pre-plant Fluchloralin @
0.75kg/ha, pre-emergent Oxyfluorfen @
0.15kg/ha or Pendamithalin @ 1.0kg/ha
are effective herbicides.

42.  Irrigation Guidance for Cultivation of
Coriander
 First irrigation should be given
immediately after sowing. Irrigation
requirement is depending upon the
parameters such as climate, soil
moisture level, and the variety used.
Standard irrigation schedule is 5–6
irrigations 30–35, 60–70, 80–90, 100–
105 and 110–150 days after sowing.

43.  Plant protection:
 Aphid
 Aphids can be controlled by spraying
Methyl demeton 20 EC @ 2 ml/lit or
Dimethoate 30 EC @ 2 ml/lit.
 Diseases:
 Powdery mildew:
 Foliar spray of Pf1 (Pseudomonas
fluorescens) 2 g/lit or Spray Wettable
sulphur 1 kg/ha or Dinocap 250 ml/ha at
the time of initial appearance of the
disease and 2nd spray at 10 days
interval.
 Neem seed kernel extracts 5 % spray
thrice.

44.  Wilt
 Seed treatment with Pseudomonas
fluorescens @10g /kg followed by soil
application of Pf1 @ 5 kg /ha
 Grain mould
 Grain mould can be controlled by
spraying Carbendazim 0.1% (500 g/ha)
20 days after grain set.
 Physiological
disorders
 Coriander is susceptible to frost damage.

45.  Harvest:
 The plants are pulled just when the fruits
are fully ripe but green and start drying.
The plants are dried and thrashed with
sticks, winnowed and cleaned.
 For leaf, pull out the plants when they
are 30-40 days old.
 Yield:
 Rainfed Grain yield : 300-400 kg/ha
 Irrigated : 500-600 kg/ha
 Leaf yield : 6-7 t/h

46.  Postharvest Management
 Drying of Coriander Seeds Fresh
coriander seeds should be dried in
shade to retain seed colour and
quality.
 After drying, seeds are separated by
light beating with sticks and
winnowing.

47.  Harvest Considerations
 In terms of harvesting tips, field
sanitation is a priority; which includes
washing hands frequently and keeping
harvest containers and tools clean.
 Place freshly harvested vegetables on
a container, not the soil. Harvest either
during the late afternoon or early in
the morning, preferably early in the
morning, as the vegetables are
naturally cooled from the night
temperatures.

48.  Hydro-cooling: Using Ice water to
cool veggies
 An easy way to cool vegetables is to
use a container such as an ice chest
full of ice water. Dip vegetables into
the ice water. The ice water will cool
and hydrate veggies. Dip whole
vegetables and keep them in there for
around 5 minutes. The ice will be
melting as you dip your veggies in, so
to keep using this water, you will have
to add more ice from time to time.

49. Thank You