CULTIVATION OF DRUMSTICK CAN REDUCE
MALNUTRITION
INTRODUCTION
Drumstick is one of famous vegetable crop in India. Drumstick
scientifically called as Moringa oleifera is commonly known as Saijan (Hindi),
Shevaga (in Marathi), Murungai (Tamil), Muringnga (Malayalam) and Munagakaya
(Telugu) in different Indian languages. Drumstick is the most widely cultivated
species of the genus Moringa comes from the Moringaceae family. Though the
origin of drumsticks is India, due to its medicinal uses it has reached other
countries also. Drumstick tree, Moringa is well known for its multi-purpose
attributes, wide adaptability and ease of establishment. Its leaves, pods and
flowers are all packed with nutrients for both humans and animals. Almost every
part of the plant is of food value.
It has also many medicinal
values – intake of leaves reduce chance of cancer to 80% , it is rich in β
carotene and vitamin A prevents eye vision and muscular degeneration, it is
beneficial in managing sugar level, soup prepared from leaves is helpful in
treating menstrual cramps etc. Its Foliage is eaten as green salads and used in
vegetable curries. The seeds yield 38-40% of non-drying oil known as Ben Oil,
used for lubricating watches. The oil is clear, sweet and odorless, never
becomes rancid and hence, used in the manufacture of perfumes. Its culture is
also easier than other crops and need less care. Its culture can definitely
reduce malnutrition due to its following importance given below-
IMPORTANCE OF DRUMSTICK
1.
Regulates blood sugar level
Drumsticks
are a boon for diabetics as they are known to reduce spiked blood sugar levels
significantly. It is also known to enhance the gall bladder function, which in
turn is helpful in lowering blood glucose.
2.
HELPS IMROVE DIGESTIVE HEALTH
Drumsticks
are an excellent source of vit.B12, which are known to play a vital role in
improving your digestive health. B vitamins help breaking down the foods and
make it easier to digest them smoothly. Moreover, drumsticks contain dietary
fiber that also aids the digestive process.
3.
GREAT
FOR DEVELOPING STRONGER BONES
One
of the most important health benefits of drumsticks is that it promotes a
healthy bone structure due to presence of high amount of calcium and iron that
not only help build strong bones, but also prevents the loss of bone density,
further increasing overall stamina and health.
4.
HELPS PURIFYING BLOOD
Drumsticks
are believed to possess blood purifying properties and further acts as a potent
antibiotic agent. Consuming drumsticks on a regular basis may help you
streamline blood circulation well.
5.
RELIEVES RESPIRATORY DISORDERS
Drumsticks
have anti-inflammatory properties and generous amounts of vitamin C which helps
in inhibiting the growth of allergies in the respiratory tract due to allergens
and prevents them from developing into infections and congestion.
6.
BOOSTS IMMUNITY
The vitamin
C content helps stave off various infections, boosting overall immunity system
of body. The anti bacterial properties in it can keep you away from common
illnesses, especially in this nippy weather. So add more drumsticks to your
diet and increase your immunity.
Farming:
- The greatness of drumstick is, it can
survive in drought conditions with minimal water requirement.
They can thrive in poor soils also. Hot and humid climate is suitable for
growth and dry climate for flowering. The temperature of 25 to 30 degree C is
suitable for flowering in drumstick.
SOIL
REQUIREMENTS: - The Moringa/Drumstick plant grows best in well drained sandy
or loamy soil with a slightly acid pH of 6.2 to neutral 7.0. It can tolerate
poor soil including coastal areas.
Nursery
Raising :- In Drumstick Farming, If you want to use nursery raised plants,
use poly bags with dimensions of about 18cm in height and 12cm in diameter. The
soil mixture for the sacks should be light, i.e. 3 parts soil to 1 part sand.
Plant two or three seeds in each sack, one to two centimeters deep. Keep moist
but not too wet. Germination will occur within 5 to 12 days, depending on the
age of the seed and pre-treatment method used. Remove extra seedlings, leaving
one in each sack. Seedlings can be out-planted when they are 60-90cm high. When
out-planting, cut a hole in the bottom of the sack big enough to allow the
roots to emerge. Be sure to retain the soil around the roots of the seedling.
To encourage rapid germination, one of three pre-seeding
treatments can be carried out in drumstick
Soak the seeds in water overnight before planting.
Crack the shells before planting.
Remove shells and plant kernels only.
Preparing
the Land for Drumstick: - If planting a large plot it is
recommended to first plough the land. Prior to planting a seed or seedling, dig
a planting pit about 50cm in depth and the same in width. This planting hole
serves to loosen the soil and helps to retain moisten in the root zone,
enabling the seedlings roots to develop rapidly. Compost or manure at the rate
of 5kg per pit can be mixed with the fresh topsoil around the pit and used to
fill the pit. Avoid using the soil taken out of the pit for this purpose: fresh
topsoil contains beneficial microbes that can promote more effective root
growth. The day before out planting, water the filled pits or wait until a good
rain before out-planting seedlings. Fill in the hole before transplanting the
seedling. In areas of heavy rainfall, the soil can be shaped in the form of a
mound to encourage drainage. Do not water heavily for the first few days. If
the seedlings fall over, tie them to stick 40cm high for support.
Direct seeding in Drumstick Farming: - If water is available for
irrigation (i.e., in a backyard garden), trees can be seeded directly and grown
any time during the year. Prepare planting pit first, water, and then fill in
the pit with topsoil mixed with compost or manure before planting seeds. In a
large field, trees can be seeded directly at the beginning of the wet season.
Manures and Fertilizers in Drumstick
FERTILIZER
AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT: - Moringa trees will generally grow
well without adding very much fertilizer. Farm Yard Manure @ 8-10
kg per plant has to be applied to the planting pit 8-10 days before planting of
seedlings and 50 kg each of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash per ha. Is to be
applied at the time of planting and the same dose is repeated at every six
months interval for the crop in drumstick farming.
Irrigation
/Water supply in Drumstick: - Moringa/Drumstick plants do not
need much watering. In very dry conditions, water regularly for the first two
months and afterwards only when the tree is obviously suffering. Moringa trees
will flower and produce pods whenever there is sufficient water available. If
rainfall is continuous throughout the year, Moringa trees will have a nearly
continuous yield. In arid conditions, flowering can be induced through
irrigation. This crop is quite hardy and during dry season requires irrigation
once in two weeks and for commercial cultivation drip irrigation can be adopted
with daily application rate of 12 to 16 liters of water per tree during summer
and half this rate during other seasons. Where water sources are scarce life
saving irrigation or pot watering once in two weeks during dry period will
sustain the crop.
Pests
& Diseases in Drumstick: - Drumstick is resistant to most
pests. In very water-logged conditions, Diploid root rot can occur. In very wet
conditions, seedlings can be planted in mounds so that excess water is drained
off. Cattle, sheep, pigs and goats will eat Moringa seedlings, pods and leaves.
Protect Moringa seedlings from livestock by installing a fence or by planting a
living fence around the plantation. In India, various caterpillars are reported
to cause defoliation unless controlled by spraying.
HARVESTING
OF DRUMSTICK: - When harvesting pods for human consumption, harvest when the
pods are still young (about 1cm in diameter) and snap easily. Older pods
develop a tough exterior, but the white seeds and flesh remain edible until the
ripening process begins. When producing seed for planting or for oil
extraction, allow the pods to dry and turn brown on the tree. In some cases, it
may be necessary to prop up a branch that holds many pods to prevent it
breaking off. Harvest the pods before they split open and seeds fall to the
ground. Seeds can be stored in well-ventilated sacks in dry, shady places.
