There are two varieties of the mustard seeds, the yellow seeds and the brown seeds. The brown seeds are preferred as tthey are a bit firm when they are harvested unlike the yellow ones that are soft and they rot faster. The farmer needs to apply foliar fertilizer sprayed at least once a week to ensure the vegetables mature faster and the leaves are broad and green. The most common disease affecting the Kanzera is the downy mildew which is prevented by uprooting the affected leaves, while the most common pest is the aphids which mostly affect the plant in hot seasons. To control attacks by the aphids, the farmer should make sure they water the plant regularly, and spray some rabbit urine in the evenings.
Pests and diseases.
The Kanzera is not greatly affected by pests and diseases but during the hot season they are affected by aphids. To control the aphids, the farmer should make sure they water the plant regularly and spray some rabbit urine in the evenings. The most common disease affecting the Kanzera is the downy mildew which is prevented by uprooting the affected leaves. Normally, the downy mildew is very minimal so it does not affect the production of the vegetable because it is a fast growing and fast harvested vegetable.
Farm management.
The Kanzera is produced in beds of 1m by 1/2m . The seeds are broadcasted after which they take 3 days to germinate and are ready to harvest in 28 days. The farmer needs to weed regularly and spray foliar fertilizer at least once every week to ensure the vegetables are green and healthy and they take 27 and not 31 days to harvest. For 1/2 an acre, the farmer will need about 4 kilos of seeds where a kilo goes for approximately Kshs. 320 and about 2 tonnes of manure for application. A kilo of Kanzera goes for approximately Kshs. 20-40, depending on the time and season of the crop harvest, and people buying in kilos take approximately 100-200 kilos daily.
