Production technology of Chekkurmunis, Ponnangani greens, Ponnaviram, Portulaca, water convolvulus , water leaf

BY : JAGADISH H

B.N : Sauropus androgynousFamily : Euphorbiaceae (Malayalam- Madura Keera, Sanskrit- Aruni)

Perennial viny shruby small leafy vegetable cultivated in south-east Asia.

Also called as Multivitamin tree / plant/ green-21 st century vegetable crops in India.

Chekkurmunis

The plant, a native of India and Burma, is found in the Sikkim, Himalayas, Khasi, Abor and Arka Hills at 1200 m elevations and in the Western Ghats of Kerala from Wynad north wards at altitudes of 300 to 1200 m.

The crop was first introduced into Kerala from Malaya. It grows wild in

the evergreen forests of Western Ghats and the southern parts of Kerala.

It was first located in the Malabar area in 1953 and during 1955-56, it was introduced to Tamil Nadu.

Origin and distribution

The plant is reputed for its high nutritive value and therefore it is popularly known as "multivitamin green" and "multi mineral packed leafy vegetable".

Chekkurmanis is a rich source of carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals. In Malayalam, this plant is known as 'Madhurakeera" and in Tamil it is "Thavarai Muringai".

Chekkurmanis has several medicinal properties. The juice of leaves pounded with roots of pomegranate and leaves of jasmine, is used against eye troubles.

usesuses

Chekkurmanis comes up well under all types of soil. It can tolerate shade to some extent. When grown under shade, plant produces broader leaves.

The growth and yield are high when they are grown in rich, well drained sandy loam or semi- laterite soils.

A warm humid climate with good rainfall is best suited and grows luxuriantly at elevations of 500 m above MSL..

Soil and climateSoil and climate

Types/cultivarsThere are no distinct types or varieties in this crop.

oOften it is grown as a live fence or hedge for kitchen garden. The crop is propagated through semi hard wood cuttings of 20 to 30 cm length.

oThe cuttings are planted during May-june, 10-15 cm apart. Chemical fertilizers are not usually applied. Well rotten farm yard manure or compost is applied at the rate of 5 tonnes per hectare.

oThough it is a drought prone crop, irrigation during summer increases the number of cuttings. Plants are usually trimmed to 1m height in order to facilitate easy harvest and to have a pleasant look to the garden.

Cultivation

Harvesting and yieldFirst harvest is possible after 3-4 months, when the plant reaches about 60 cm height. The tender shoots and leaves are used for culinary purposes. Subsequent harvest is possible in every fortnight, if the plants are well maintained.

The annual productivity is 30-50tonnes/ha with a per plant yield of 13Kg/year. After each cut 1% urea can be sprayed.

Ponnanganni greens

Alternanthera is a genus of evergreen perennial herb, (Amaranthaceae) native to tropical and subtropical regions of Australia and South America.

Several species are grown for their nutritional and ornamental leaves. Though there are 70 types in the genus, five species have been recorded from India.

Ponnanganni greens (Alternanthera sessilis syn. A. triandra, A.denticulate, A. nodiflora) is a small annual or perennial prostrate herb found through out the hotter parts of India, ascending to an altitude of 1200 m in the Himalayas.

Leaves are variegated green and yellow or bronze and green or red and pinkish brown. Branches 7.5 - 45 cm long and glabrous.

Leaves 2.5 to 7.5 cm or even longer and are fleshy when grown in watery places. Flowers are inconspicuous, white in clusters. Seeds 1.25 - 1.5 mm, sub-orbicular.

The leaves and tender shoots are clipped and used. Leaves are used like spinach and in soups.

uses

Due to their ornamental value, Alternantheras are grown for edging flower beds and for bedding.

Leaves are variegated green and yellow or bronze and green or red and pinkish brown. Branches 7.5 - 45 cm long and glabrous.

Leaves 2.5 to 7.5 cm or even longer and are fleshy when grown in watery places. Flowers are inconspicuous, white in clusters. Seeds 1.25 - 1.5 mm, sub-orbicular.

The leaves and tender shoots are clipped and used. Leaves are used like spinach and in soups.

uses

Due to their ornamental value, Alternantheras are grown for edging flower beds and for bedding.

Description:

Flower of alternanthera

Alternantheras have medicinal value. In some parts of Bihar, the plant is used for night blindness, diarrhoea, dysentery and post-natal complaints. The roots are used externally for inflamed wounds.

The poultice of the herb is reported to be used for boils.

Alternantheras are hardy plants which stand trimming and can be easily propagated by cuttings or by division. First clipping of tender leaves and stems can be done one and half to 2 months after planting.

Though hardy, the plants are susceptible to cockchafer grubs during the early monsoon.

Ponnaviram

Ponnaviram or Natramtakara (Cassia occidentalis) is an erectherb or undershrub belonging to Fabaceae .

In Tamil the crop is known as "Ponthagarai". It is found throughout India, up to an altitude of 1500m

.

The crop grows to 60-150 cm height. Leaves are 15-20 cm long,lanceolate or ovate- lanceolate with 3 pairs of leaflets.

Flowers are yellow, seen in short racemes. Pods are glabrous containing dark olive green, ovoid, smooth and shining seeds.

Description

The herb is reported to be used as condiment. The young leaves are eaten alone as pot herb or cooked along with unripe pods and eaten with rice. Immature seeds are eaten.

The roasted seeds are widely recognised as a substitute for coffee in Africa, but contain no caffeine and tannin. The seeds can be mixed with those of coffee for strength; the mixture is also acceptable in organoleptic tastes.

Uses

• All parts of the plant possess purgative, tonic, expectorant and diuretic properties. The plant is used to cure sore eyes, rheumatism, typhoid, asthma and disorders of haemoglobin, and is also reported to cure leprosy.

• A decoction of the plant is used in hysteria, in dysentery and other stomach troubles, and also as an application to sores, itches and inflammation of the rectum.

• The herb forms an ingredient of the patented indigenous herbal drug" Liv 52".

An infusion of the bark is given in diabetes. The volatile oil obtained from the leaves, roots and seeds showed anti bacterial and anti fungal activity. The seed is bitter and considered to be a blood tonic and excellent diuretic.

The roots are considered bitter, tonic, purgative and diuretic.They are given in cough and for relief· in itchs and in leprosy; they are also chewed in sore throat. The root bark is used as a quinine substitute to cure fever and its decoction is given for chest complaints.

The phosphate dissolving bacterium (Bacillus megaterium) foundin the red glands of petiole, significantly increases the grain and straw yield of wheat. The pollen grain shows allergic effects. The herb can be utilized as a cattle feed, green manure and also used for reclammation of land. It is often cultivated as a shade plant

uses Contnd.

Portulaca/ common purslane

A succulent prostrate or erect annual (Portulaca oleracea) belonging to Portulacaceae with green or purple stem.

It is found throughout India as a weed, ascending up to an altitude of 1500 m in the Himalayas, also cultivated as vegetable. The crop is known as"Kariecheera" in Malayalam.

Garden parslane

Two types are available under this group.

1. Common wild variety known as Var. oleraceae (syn. P. oleraceavar. sylvestris) and

2. Cultivated variety var. sativa , other wise known as KitchenGarden Purselane.

UsesPurslane has an acidic taste and is used as a pot herb. It isalso consumed as salads and employed in soups.

Cultivation:Purslane is cultivated in plains from March- June and in hills frommiddle of April to middle September. It can be grown in a variety of soil, but thrives best in rich loam. Seeds are mixed with sand and thinly broadcasted @ 2-3 Kg/ha. The crop will be ready for harvest in60 days after sowing.

Served in salads

Portulaca quadrifida ("Neelakeera") is a small diffused succulent annual found through out warmer parts of India. The herb is a troublesome weed. The herb is used as a vegetable in the same way as P. oleracea, but not very wholesome; excessive use may causestupefaction.

Water convolvulus

Water convolvulus (syn. Kangkong) (Ipomoea aquatica syn. I.repens) belonging to convolvulaceae family is an aquatic trailing or floating herbaceous perennial, sometimes annual with long hollow stem rooting at the nodes, found throughout India.

This crop is ideally suited to areas, where water stagnation is a problem. It is commonly seen in paddy fields. It is because of this character, the crop is known as "swamp cabbage" and "vellacheera" in Malayalam.

Suitable to areas where water stagnation is problem

Kangkong is found trailing on moist soil or mud along themargins of stagnant ponds, streams, ditches, marshes and wet rice fields.

It is sometimes found floating on water surface. It occurs both in wild and cultivated forms.

The crop strikes adventitious roots at each and every node.Leaves elliptic or ovate-oblong, cordate at the base, flowers infundibuliform, 2.5 to 5 cm long, white or pale purple with dark purple eye, solitary or in five flowered cyme. Fruit is a capsule, ovoid and smooth. Seeds 2-4 & densely pubescent

Description

Uses

The young terminal shoots and leaves are used as vegetable and in salads.

The leaves are a good source of minerals and vitamins especially carotene.

The carotenoids present include carotene, xanthophyll and traces of taraxanthin. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, Cu, S, Mn, Silica and iodine are present in the ash which is alkaline in reaction.

The plant serves as a green fodder of high nutritive value. It is relished by cattle and pigs and produces no ill effects.

The juice of the plant is used as an emetics in cases of opium and arsenic poisoning. Dried juice has purgative properties.

Leaves and stems are said to be cooling. In Assam, the plant is given fornervous and general debility. It is used also for piles.

The buds are used in the treatment of ringworm

Kangkong can be propagated by seeds or herbaceous cuttings.The soil is brought to a fine tilth by thorough digging and FYM isincorporated @ 2.5 kg/m2

Small pits are dug at a spacing of 1 m x1m and in each pit 2-3 seeds or cuttings can be sown or planted. It grows rapidly producing dense masses of foliage within a few weeksof planting. The crop is found to tolerate saline - alkaline soil andalkalinity in water too.

Cultivation

Harvesting and yield

First harvest is done 40 days after sowing or planting. Harvest can be continued once in 20 days for at least 4 months.

The green yield ranges from 6-7 tonnes/ hectare.

other ipomoea species

Ipomoea eriocarpa (Syn . Ipomoea hispida) is a herbaceous slender , twining villous annual, found almost through out India ascending up to 4000ft. in Himalayas. It is useful for milch cattle. It is hardy and drought resistant. The leaves and stems are eaten as vegetable.Ipomoea maxima (Syn. Ipomoea sepiaria) The plant is eaten as a pot- herb and used as fodder for cattle.Ipomoea unit/ora is used as a vegetable in Malaya andIndonesia.

Water leaf (Syn. Ceylon spinach) (Talinum triangulare) belonging to Portulacaceae, is a soft mucilaginous leafy vegetable grown in thetropics.

Being a shade loving crop, it is suitable for cultivation under crop canopy. The crop is popularly known as "sam bar cheera "in Malayalam.

Water leaf

Crop view

Origin and distribution

The crop was originated in Brazil. From Brazil, it was introduced to Java in 1915. Now it is cultivated as a minor vegetable in India,Malaysia, Indonesia, Arabian countries, USA and West Indies.

The genus Talinum has nearly 50 other species. The related species in which leaves are used as vegetable are T. arnotti, T.caffuram, T. patens, T.portulecefolium, T. crassifolium, T.cuneifolium and T. indicum.

The plant is a herbaceous perennial, erect or decumbent at base,35 to 90 cm in height. Stem is succulent and purple, leaves light green, shining fleshy and triangular in shape.

Flowers are large, pink, seeds black, small, smooth and maturing rapidly after flowering.

Description

uses

The leaves and tender shoots are used as vegetables. Leaves are cooked, added to soups and stews.

The high oxalate content of the leaf makes its consumption limited.

There is a need to evolve varieties with low oxalate content.

Uses

Soil and climate

The crop grows upto an altitude of 1000m.

Moist humid conditions favour optimum growth and development. Well drained soil rich in humus is ideal.

It is propagated through seeds or cuttings.

Seedlings are transplanted to raised beds, when 5 to 8 cm tall. They are planted at a distance of 30 cm apart. Farm yard manure is applied at the rate of 5 kg per 10 sq. m, as basal dose. Foliar application of 1.5% urea isalso beneficial. Pests and diseases are rarely seen in this crop.

Cultivation

Harvesting and yield

The tender shoots and leaves are harvested 6 to 8 weeks after planting. Short day conditions favour flowering. Seeds mature rapidly after flowering and thus make the plant unfit for consumption. Shoots of about 15 to 20 cm length are cut when leaves are fully developed.

Terminal shoots are removed at first harvest allowing lateral shoot development for subsequent harvesting.

Yield of greens is 4000- 6000 kg/ha. When the branches form a dense mass, it is better to replace the old plants with new ones

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