Indian jujube or Ber farming is suitable in the arid regions. However, it is also famous as a name of poor man fruits. Ber contains Protein, Vitamin C
Indian jujube or Ber farming is suitable in the arid regions. However, it is also famous as a name of poor man fruits. Ber contains Protein, Vitamin C and minerals and is available for farming throughout India. In India, the major ber producers are MP, Bihar, UP, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. After Kinnow, mango and guava, the ber is the fourth popular fruit crop of Punjab state.
Methods and Requirements of Ber Farming
If you want to grow a healthy Ber yield, you should take care of some requirements of this farming.
Climate Requirement
The temperature for Ber farming must be between 15 to 40°C. It can show you better results. You can sow it when the temperature lies between either 15 to 20°C or 30 to 37°C. And 300 to 400 mm rainfall is suitable for Ber farming. The harvesting takes place at a temperature of 30 to 40°C or 15 to 20°C. Keep these things in your mind to obtain healthy growth.
Soil Requirement
We can practise Ber farming in a variety of soils. Gravely and sandy to clay soil and shallow to deep soils are suitable for Ber farming. It can also grow in soils, which are unfit for cultivation. Along with this, it can also wear saline, alkaline and waterlogged soil. But Deep sandy, loamy soils with good drainage are ideal for farming. The ground must be prepared with the help of tractors like Swaraj 735 and more. It can help you to grow a good yield.
Popular Varieties
Several varieties of Ber are available in India. Following are some types of Ber.
- Umran – Fruits are oval and golden yellow. Mature fruits are chocolate brown. 150 to 200 kg per tree
- Kaithli – Fruits are of oblong and greenish-yellow colour. 75 kg per Tree
- ZG 2 – Fruits are oblong and bright green colour on ripening. 150 kg per tree
- Wallaiti – Fruits are oval and golden yellow on maturation. 114 kg fruits per tree
- Sanaur 2 – Fruits are large-sized and golden yellow. 150 kg per tree
- Balvant – It is an early maturing variety. 121 kg per tree
- Neelam – Moderate maturing variety. 121 kg per tree
- Gola – Fruits are round and greenish-yellow. Early maturing type and suitable for dry areas.
- Banarasi Kadaka
- Mehrun
- Parbhani
- Elaichi
- Sanam 5
Land Preparation
You have to well prepare the land for Ber farming. So, you have to give around 2 – 3 ploughings followed by levelling. And you should use the best tractor model like Swaraj 744 or others. It can save you from extra expenses on these operations.
Propagation
You can propagate Ber plant by budding. And you can use Katha Ber for raising rootstock. Now you have to dip seeds in 17 to 18% salt solution. After that, sow seeds in the nursery at a row distance of 15 cm and plant distance of 30 cm during April. In August, the plants will be ready for budding.
Sowing
You should transplant plants in February – March or August – September. The space must be 7.5 x 7.5 m for planting. So, dig pits at 60 x 60 x 60 cm size before planting and keep them open in the sunshine for around 15 days. After that, fill them with soil and cow dung mixture.
Pruning and Training
Ber farming needs proper annual pruning and training. First, you must ensure that plants have a single stem in the nursery. Then, after the crop matures, you have to keep it free from diseases. The time of pruning is when plants have arrived at the dormant stage.
Irrigation
Established trees are not required frequent irrigation. At the dormant stage, no water is needed. However, irrigation is essential at the time of the fruit development stage. So, at this stage, you have to rinse the field once in 3 – 4weeks.
Pest and Their Control
The two pests are harmful to the Ber crop. So, let’s know about their treatment.
- Fruit Fly – Spray of Dimethoate @ 500ml/300ltr of water
- Leaf Eating Caterpillar – Spray of Carbaryl@750gm/200Ltr of water
Disease and Their Control
Mainly 3 types of diseases can affect the crop. So here we are with their treatment.
- Powdery Mildew – During Flowering, Spray of wettable Sulphur @ 250gm/100ltr of water
- Leaf Mould – Spray of Copper Oxychloride @ 300gm in 100Ltr of water
- Black Fruit spot – Spray of Mancozeb 75WP @ 250gm per 100 Ltr of water
Harvesting
You can harvest the field first time after 2 to 3 years of planting. And you should harvest Ber at the proper maturity stage. Apart from this, avoid over ripping. It can decrease the taste and quality of fruit. Check the colour and size to know the exact time of harvesting according to varieties.
Now, you can easily do Ber cultivation in India. For more farming-related information, stay with us. We will come with our next exciting blog.
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