Mesta is herbaceous annual plant. It is an important commercial crop after cotton and Jute. Its origin lies in Afro-Asian countries. Stem or bark of plant is used for fibre production. Hibiscus cannabinus and Hibiscus sabdariffa are two species commonly name as Mesta. Hibiscus Sabdariffa is drought resistant variety where as in areas of rainfall of 50-90 mm canabiscus grow well as it is short duration variety. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Meghalaya, Karnataka and Tripura are major mesta growing states.

Mesta can be grown on variety of soil. It gives best result when grown on rich loamy soils. Acidic soil and waterlogging soils are not suitable for mesta cultivation. It can be grown on soils having pH 4.5-7.8.

Hibiscus Sabdariffa: AMV 1, AMV 2, AMV 3,4, HS 4288, HS 7910 ( Suitable for growing in Assam, Meghayala, Tripura and West Bengal)

Hibiscus Cannabinus: HC 583 (Suitable for growing in West Bengal)

Other States Varieties

Hibiscus Cannabinus

MT 150 (Nirmal): Useful for entire mesta growing areas. It is having superior quality and used for newspaper purpose. It gives average yield of 13 qtl/acre.  

JRM­3 (Sneha): Suitable for entire country. It is resistant to pest and disease. It gives average yield of 10.5-15 qtl/acre.

JRM­5 (Shrestha): It gives average yield of 12 qtl/acre.

Hibiscus Sabdariffa

AMV 7: Ready to harvest in 130-135 days. It is tolerant to moisture stress and resistant to pest and disease. It gives average yield of 10.5-13 qtl/acre.

Ploughed land thoroughly before monsoon to bring soil to fine tilth. After ploughing, make soil weed and stubble free. Then levelled soil properly. Add 2-4ton/acre of well decomposed cowdung at time of field preparation.

Time of sowing
May - June is optimum time for sowing of mesta crop.
 
Spacing
For good growth and yield spacing of "30 cm x 10 cm" is recommended.

Sowing Depth
Seeds are sown at depth of 2.5 to 3 cm depth.

Method of sowing
For sowing, broadcasting method is generally followed but line sowing is also proved to be beneficial.

Seed Rate
For H. Sabdariffa required seed rate of 6 kg/acre and for H. Cannabinus cultivation required 5 kg/acre of seeds.

Seed Treatment
Treat seed with Mancozeb@3gm/kg of seeds before sowing.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

For higher yield, apply Nitrogen@16kg/acre, Phosphorus@8kg/acre and Potash@8kg/acre in form of Urea@36kg/acre, SSP@50kg/acre and MOP@14kg/acre.

Apply whole quantity of Phosphorus and Potash fertilizer and 1/3^rd quantity of Nitrogen fertilizer at time of sowing. Apply remaining quantity of Nitrogen in two equal splits, first 21 days after sowing and second on 35 days after sowing at time of weeding operations.

Do weeding and thinning operation to keep field clean and weed free. Do first weeding operation on 21^st day after sowing and second weeding operation on 35^th day after sowing. Simultaneously complete thinning operation (remove weaken plants). To controlled weed chemically, apply Fluchloralin@800ml/acre, two to three days before sowing. Apply Butachlor@ 1200ml/acre or Pendimethalin@1-1.25ltr/acre immediately after sowing.

It is rainfed crop so it doesnt required irrigation. If needed provide irrigation depending upon weather condition and soil type.

• Pest and their control:

Aphid: If infestation is observed in field, to control take spray of Dimethoate@2ml or Imidacloprid@0.25ml/Ltr of water. Or take spray of Thiamethoxam@0.2gm or Acetamiprid@0.2gm per Ltr of water.

Green semi looper: If infestation is observed to control takes spray of Thiodicarb@1gm/Ltr of water or Indoxacarb@1ml/Ltr of water.

Mealy Bug: For effective controlled of mealy bug, take spray of neem oil@5ml/Ltr of water when infestation is low. When infestation is high take spray of Profenophos@2ml/Ltr or Triazophos@2ml/Ltr water.

Jassid: To controlled jassid take spray of Imidacloprid@0.25ml or Thiomethoxam@.2gm/Ltr of water.

• Disease and their control:

Foot and stem rot: Provide proper drainage and avoid water logging in soil. Before sowing, do seed treatment with Mancozeb@ 3gm/kg of seeds. If infestation is observed take spray of Ridomil@2gm/Ltr of water.

Leaf blight: If infestation is observed, take spray of Mancozeb@3gm or Copper Oxychloride@3gm/Ltr of water. If necessary take second spray with interval of  7 days.

Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus: This disease is spread due to white fly. Check for white fly infestation. 50 days after sowing take spray of Thiamethoxam@ 0.1gm/Ltr water or Imidacloprid@0.25ml/Ltr of water.

Do harvesting at proper stage, early harvest cause reduction in fibre yield whereas delay in harvesting cause deterioration of fibre quality. Best time for harvesting is when crop is at 50% flowering stage. At time of harvesting, cut crop close to ground.

After harvesting do grading on basis of stem size. Tied them in bundle and keep these bundles in field for shredding of leaves.

1.Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana

2.Department of Agriculture

3.Indian Agricultural Research Instittute, New Delhi

4.Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research

5.Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare