24 Dec Production technology of water chestnut (Trapa natans L.)
सिंघाड़ा के उत्पादन प्रौद्योगिकी Water chestnut (Trapa natans) is one of the most important minor fruit crops grown in India. It is an aquatic nut crop grown mainly in the tropical and sub-tropical region, as submersed plant community. It also thrives in the soft nutrient rich waters in lakes, ponds and streams with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. The plant is well adapted to life at the water’s edge and prospers even when stranded along muddy shores. In India, it is most commonly used as edible nut. The kernel of water chestnut contains a large amount of protein (up to 20%), starch (52%), tannins (9.4%), fat (up to 1%), sugar (3%), minerals, etc. It is also a good source of fibre and vitamin B along with Ca, K, Fe and Zn. Varieties of chestnut: No standard variety of water chestnut is released till now. But nuts with different husk colour like green, red or purple and a blending of red and green colour are recognized. Kanpuri, Jaunpuri, Desi Large, Desi Small etc. are the names of some types of water chestnuts referred to the growers in West Bengal and other parts of eastern India. Propagation of chestnut: Propagation of the plant is commercially done by seeds. The fully mature nuts are placed in container with...