The wonderful dishes of India are well-known. Many greens are grown on this land, all of which have numerous health benefits and a delicious taste. One of them is the drumstick.
Drumstick, also known as Moringa, is a tall, slender, fast-growing tree planted primarily for its leaves, seedpods, and pericarp. Leaves are utilized as a vegetable, and pods are used in a variety of delectable cuisines. Moringa has several nutritional benefits in addition to its taste; it is high in iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C.
Drumstick cultivation is easy, less time consuming, and paying as well. Therefore, interested farmers may go in for such an endeavor. Drumstick cultivation is easy, less time consuming, and paying as well. Therefore, interested farmers may go in for such an endeavor. It is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree, native to the southern foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India, and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas where its young seed pods and leaves are used as vegetables. It can also be used for water purification and hand washing and is sometimes used in herbal medicine.
The utility of Drumstick (DS)
Every part of the drumstick is useful. Tender leaves and sticks have a high amount of Protein, Carbohydrates, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and minerals. Each part is used as medicine. In addition to sticks and leaves, flowers of DS (drumstick) are valued ingredients of food that are not only tasty but nutritive too. Its juice is useful as protection from bacterial diseases.
Soil and Climate
It can be grown in a variety of soils, but loamy, sandy loam soils are better suited. Sadie soils and also dry conditions are quite ok.
Variety of Drumsticks
Generally, Drumsticks provides flowers once in a year, but a variety called Najee gives flowers throughout the year. The fruit of Najee is thick and short. “Tatanagar” is a high yielding Najee variety. its fruits are long and it flowers profusely and gi,•es high yields.
Name and qualities of some important varieties are mentioned below:
Moringa can be divided into distinct types based on Ayurveda and public-sector-developed variations. Moringa has three types according to Ayurveda: Shyama (black variation), Shveta (red variant), and Rakta (white variety) (Red variety). Moringa has the varieties KM1, PKM1, PKM2, GKVK1, GKVK2, GKVK3, Dhanraj, Bhagya (KDM1), Konkan Ruchira, Anupama, and Rohit 1 created by the public sector.
Raising Seedlings
Seedlings raising is easy. It can be propagated from seed and also from branches. About 15 cm x 7 cm polythene bag is most suited. May – June is the best time. During May – June, Soil and organic manure in 2:1 ratio have to be put in poly packets two seeds are to be put in each packet and kept under the shade and watered regularly. Germination takes place after 8-10 days. After 30-35 days seedlings are ready for planting in the mainland. About 800 gms seeds/ha is enough.
Harvesting
After 6 months of ‘planting, harvesting it can be done. On average 200 fruits could be obtained. After harvesting, the pruning of plants is done to get more branches and fruits in the next season.
From the vegetative propagation tall plants are obtained. Therefore, after harvesting, branches have to be axed. Initially, about 90 fruits per plant are obtained but with the passage of times about 800 – 1000 DS are obtained / plant.