CULTIVATION OF DRUMSTICK CAN REDUCE MALNUTRITION

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.