Lesser known , Underutilised , Neglected vegetable
Botanical name : Sechium edule
English name : Chayote
Hindi : Chow Chow
Tamil :Seema kattirikkai
Kanada : Seemebadane
Description :
Chayote is a large herbaceous, perennial, monoecious climber with a single seeded fruit.
Chayote is grown between 0 and 2800 m altitude and flourishes best between 300 and 2000 m.
It requires high humidity (80 to 85 %), rainfall between 1500 and 2000 mm per year and mild temperature of 20-25 deg C
In Hilly Sikkim , Darjeeling and entire north-east all most 80 % vegetable shops including foot path shops keep chayote fruits and tender shoots and stems on sale during chayote harvest season .
Tuber are also used as an alternative to potato
Sprouted fruits are planted during Feb and March
Fruits easily germinate even in the plant before harvesting.
Farmers grow chayote without any chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
It is one of the easy growing crops with less care and minimum insect and disease problem.
The common problem is rats can damage roots
Some of genetic diversity of Chayote species found at Today Tangta Khasmahal area of Kalimpong
( WEST BENGAL )
Ref : Ms/ Uncommon Foods , West Bengal
Contact :
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