OFF-SEASON VEGETABLE CULTIVATION UNDER PROTECTED STRUCTURES

Abstract

The research was carried in the Polyhouse constructed at the Horticluture farm at Rama University 2021-2022 & 2022-2023 .The demand for fresh vegetable prevails round the year but supply is restricted to cultivation season. The performance of the different vegetable crops is highly influenced by changes in climatic vagaries like fluctuation in temperature, light, humidity, wind velocity etc. that adversely affect the growth, physiological process, flowering, fruit setting and finally yield and economic return. The unpleasant climate drastically reduced the total production or even result in total crop failure. To increase the availability of the fresh vegetables beyond normal season, promotion of off-season cultivation is the need of the hour. Summer crop of winter season vegetables under open field condition is not possible as scorching sunand higher day and night temperature adversely affects the vegetative growth, prompted flower and fruit drop. Again cultivation of summer crop during winter months in open field suffers from low temperature, cold waves and freezing injury. By adopting proper protection technologies and providing favourable environment, the crops can be raised during off season. With the introduction of shade net which partially control the temperature and light and creates a favourable environment for crop growth that enables raise the crop under intense summer months with desirable yield and quality. Again poly house maintained higher temperature and light intensity compared to outside during winter months which favours the growth and yield of summer season vegetables. The full paper discussed the different aspects of off-season vegetable cultivation to make the production system economically viable and remunerative.