How to Grow Curry Leaf from Seed to Harvest

Curry leaf (Murraya koenigii L.) are a leaf that we use every day to add flavor to every curry, it is very good for health.

Areas of Cultivation:

This crop is cultivated commercially in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka.

Varieties – Characteristics:

Senkampu: This variety is grown in Karamadai region of Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. The leaf stem is dark red. The leaf has high oil content and smell.

D.W. d. – 1: The leaves are dark green, shiny and fragrant. Because it cannot tolerate cold, branches do not open in winter and growth stops. Leaves contain 5.22% oil. Drying the leaves at 50 degrees Celsius does not reduce the smell at all. Later the leaves can be dried and used.

D.W. d. – 2: A variety selected from a seed-sown crop with light green leaves. Low smell (4.09% oil). It is cold tolerant. So the branch buds break off well in winter. d. W.D. – 1 has 8 times more growth than type 1.

Suvasini: Spread only by rooting plants. A variety suitable for hilly areas.

Bhuvaneswar: Cultivated mostly in waterlogged areas.

Weather:

This crop can tolerate temperature of 26-37°C. If the temperature drops below 16°C, the branch buds enter dormancy and growth stops. It varies depending on the type.

Soils:

Although cultivated in all types of soils, red soils with good drainage are best. The growth is good and the leaf yield is high in red sandalwood soils. Black soils without drainage facilities are useless.

Sowing:

Curry plant can be propagated by seeds. Plants are grown from seeds and planted in the main field. Fruits appear throughout the year, especially in July-August. So the seeds should be taken out within 3-4 days after harvesting the fruits in August and sown in polythene bags. Cotton or polythene bags should be filled with a mixture of soil and cattle dung.

Seed Per Acre:

Seed rate: 8-10 tones of seeds or 2.5 tones of fruits per acre is sufficient.

Planting method:

Prepare 1 m × 1 m area at a height of 30 cm. After applying enough cattle manure, make lines at a distance of 10 cm and sow the seeds. The seeds will germinate in three weeks. Plants can also be grown in polythene bags filled with soil and animal manure. 3 months to one year old plants are suitable for planting in the main field.

Soil Preparation and Planting:

The main land should be plowed well 3-4 times. 8 tones of cattle manure per acre should be applied in the last push. Pits of size 30x30x30 cm should be dug two months before planting at a distance of 1.2 to 1.5 m. These pits should be filled with soil mixed with cattle dung. A plant should be planted in the center of the hole.

Water Management:

Water the pits immediately after planting. On the third day after planting, water should be given again. Then give water once a week.

Harvest and yield:

First Year: Can yield upto 100-160 Kgs of leaf per acre.
Second and Third year : 700 Kgs of leaf harvest for every 4 months and per year yield is 2 tons of leaf
Fourth year: 1000 kgs of leaf harvest for every 3 months and per year yield is 4 tons of leaf
Fifth year onwards: 2 tons of harvest for every 3 months and annual leaf yield of 8 tones.