Mustasa or mustard greens (Brassica juncea) belong to leafy vegetables. Its leaves contain vitamins K and A, calcium, iron, and phosphorus.
It is ideal to plant mustard in porous soil abundant in organic matter. It is better if the pH of the soil is 6.0 to 7.5. Plant mustard in the months with shorter days than nights to avoid early flowering.
Choose a seed suitable for the planting area. Seeds with resistance to diseases and pests can also be used.
To begin planting mustard, cultivate the soil. Apply one kilogram of dried chicken manure and 300 grams of carbonized rice hull per square meter. Make furrows 15 to 25 centimeters apart. Plant the seeds in furrows 15 centimeters apart and 2.5 centimeters deep. Farmers or gardeners can also sow and transplant after four to six days. Transplanted plants are harvested earlier and are more resistant to disease and pests.
Apply fermented plant juice (FPJ) once or twice a week. Manure tea can also be used to nourish plants and increase their resistance. Water the plantation two to three times a week or as needed. Removing weeds to avoid competition for nutrients and sun is also customary.
Aphids, diamondback moths, and cutworms are the prominent pests of mustard greens. It can be controlled with a spray solution (100 grams of crushed chili in 16 liters of water mixed with a spoonful of powder detergent). Pest-repellent plants such as marigolds, onions, and cosmos can also be used. Plant it around.
Mold, bacterial rot, wilting, leaf spot, and mosaic virus can be avoided by using clean seeds, maintaining cleanliness in the field, and removing diseased plants.
The leaves can be harvested two months after planting or if the stems are still brittle. Remove damaged and yellowing leaves. Join three to five stems together and tie them with a rubber band.
This information is from the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI)