The use of kachu as a vegetable is quite old in Bangladesh, Indian subcontinent and South-East Asia. Kachu is thought to have originated in the eastern part of the ancient Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, Sumatra and the Malay region. The use of kachu in the religious rituals and socio-cultural activities of different ethnic groups is very ancient. Kachu has been used as a vegetable and herb for a long time. Kachu is rich in starch, iron, phosphorus, calcium and vitamins A and C.
The kachu that can be cultivated in shallow water is usually called panikchu. In our country, the name of Panikchur varies from place to place such as Narkeli Kachu, Shola Kachu, Jat Kachu, Banshakchu, Kathakchu etc. However, it is best known as Pani Kachu. Panikchur lati and stems are used as vegetables. At the end of the monsoon season, when there is a shortage of vegetables in the market, water hyacinths and cassava are very popular in the June-September market.
Panicchur breed
Bari Panikchu-1 (Latiraj)
Lati is more predominant than stems in this variety. Lifespan 180-280 days. Latiation lasts from 2 months to 6 months after planting. The yield is 25-30 tons per hectare and 15-20 tons per stem. Lati is evenly cooked. Calcium oxalate is low so it does not itch the throat.
Bari Panikchu-2
Lati is the main edible part. The length of the plant produced is about 1 meter. The lobes are round, relatively thick and dark green in color. The yield is 25-30 tons per hectare and 18-22 tons of stems. Lati is evenly cooked. Calcium oxalate is low so it does not itch the throat.
Bari Panikchu-3
The main edible part of the stem. 25-30 tons of stems and 10-12 tons of stems are produced per hectare. Calcium oxalate is low so it does not itch the throat.
Bari Panikchu-4
2013 is the year of release. Rhizomes are the main edible part, but they are also short-lived. Ka Ð thick and pink in color. The rhizome is pink in color and the flakes are light pink which is a special feature of this variety. The yield is 35-45 tons of stems and 5-6 tons of stems per hectare. Calcium oxalate is low so it does not itch the throat.
Bari Panikchu-5
The rhizome is the main edible part. The stems are thick and green in color. The rhizome is light green and the fles are light white. 35-40 tons of stems and 5-6 tons of stems are produced per hectare. Calcium oxalate is low so it does not itch the throat.
Bari Panikchu-6
Its rhizome is about 1 m in length and grows to 30-35 cm with light green color. The shell is strikingly white. Rhizome is the main crop. 70-90 tons of stems and 6-7 tons of stems are produced per hectare.
Time of sowing and planting
It can be planted in Kartik for early harvest and from mid-Falgun to mid-Baishakh for Nabi crop. However, for commercial cultivation, Agrahayan-Poush month is a suitable time for planting seedlings. Usually 36-37 thousand seedlings are required per hectare. The distance from row to row is 60 cm and the distance from seedling to seedling is 45 cm.
Before planting water hyacinth seedlings, all its leaves, roots and stems should be cut off. This allows the seedlings to stick to the ground quickly. If the land is not muddy, watering should be done immediately after planting. In places where there is a possibility of flooding, it is better to plant saplings in the month of Kartik so that the crop can be harvested before it is flooded.
Soil
Silt loam and clay soils are suitable for Panikchu cultivation. There is no fear of flood if water is applied on high and medium elevation lands. However, arrangements have to be made so that there is always some water in the land. The depth of water standing at the base of water kachu is 8-10 cm. If it is more than this, the yield decreases and the standing water has to be shaken occasionally. The amount of water in the rainy season is 8-10 cm. If it is more than that, excess water has to be removed.
Fertilizer management
Fertilizer application has been proved to be very effective in water kachu cultivation. Approved by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute
The level of fertilizer is -
- As per area requirement.
Dung, TSP, gypsum, zinc sulphate, boric acid and half MOP fertilizer should be applied before the last tillage during land preparation. Half a MOP and one-sixth urea fertilizer should be sprayed within one and half to two months of planting. The remaining five percent urea should be applied to the land in equal installments after 15 days.
Weed control management
Insects: Leda insects, red spiders and jab insects are the main insects.
Leda Insects: Adult moths lay their eggs in clusters under the leaves. The moth is green in the early stages and the head is black. To cure this insect, eggs and worms can be collected by hand and destroyed. In case of high infestation, approved pesticides such as Tracer 45 SC per liter of water mixed with 0.4 ml. Can be applied.
Kachura Red Spider: Under the leaves, small red spiders attack. They cannot be seen with the naked eye. Both adult and nymph damage the plant. It can be controlled by applying approved pesticides such as Vertimac 1.6 EC at 1.8 ml / L.
Jabpoka: Jabpoka absorbs sap from kachu and spreads viral diseases and damages crops. These insects absorb leaf sap and reduce the amount of chlorophyll. To control insects, Admire 100 SP should be applied in 0.5 ml per liter of water.
Disease:
733.418 SRY