Ecological Requirement for Growing Vegetable crops in India

Amaranth: 1.
Amaranth can be grown on a wide variety of soils. However, sandy loam soil is best suited for its successful cultivation. It is grown successfully in the hot summer season and humid conditions of the kharif season.

Ash gourd: 2.
It grows well in warm, humid tropical climate. The temperature of 22°–35°C is ideal. Though a deep loamy soil is best suited, it can be grown on heavy clay as a rainfed crop. During summer, the crop can be grown on tank slopes. The optimum pH is 6.5–7.5.

Beetroot: 3.
It can grow in almost every climate. Being fairly hardy, it is generally considered a cool-weather crop. It grows best during winter in plains. It requires abundant sunshine for proper development. Beet is most productive at 20°–22°C. It thrives best in light to medium heavy soil. Loamy sand, deep, well-drained and fertile soils are preferred. Good beet is produced on a wide variety of soils, but slightly alkaline soil (with a pH up to 8) is ideal.

Bitter gourd: 4.
A well-drained loamy soil with a pH of 6.5–7.0 is ideal for its cultivation. A long period of warm, dry weather with 30°–35°C temperature is optimum. The minimum temperature should not go below 18°C. If temperature goes above 40°C, more male flowers are produced and plants become prone to mosaic disease.

Bottle gourd: 5.
Bottle gourd can be grown on all types of soils if these are not too much acidic (pH less than 5.5) or saline and alkaline. Loam or sandy loam soil is most suitable. Slightly wet to semi-dry ecological condition is suitable for this crop. Night and day temperatures of 18°–22°C and 30°–35°C, respectively, are optimum for proper growth and better fruit set.

Brinjal: 6.
Brinjal is susceptible to severe frost. A long and warm growing season with a mean temperature of 20°–30°C is most favourable for its successful production. In northern plains, it is adversely affected during December–February due to low night temperature. Well-drained and fertile sandy loam soils with a pH of 5.5–6.5 are best suited for its cultivation. However, several cultivars are grown successfully under high pH levels with a rich application of farmyard manure or green manuring practiced before transplanting.

Broccoli: 7.
It is a cool season crop resistant to mild frost. The temperature of 20°–25°C is optimum for its proper growth, while 15°–20°C is ideal for the heading stage. The heads become loose with rise in temperature. Broccoli can be grown in a wide variety of soils, but deep loamy soil is best suited. The optimum pH is 5.0–6.5.

Brussels sprout: 8.
It thrives best in cool and humid climate with a temperature of 15°–25°C. It can withstand frost as well as snowfall. Generally, good quality sprouts are obtained when the temperature is 10°–20°C. Rise in temperature results in loose and elongated sprouts with poor flavour. It can be grown in a wide range of soils, but sandy loam soil is best suited. The optimum pH is 6.0–6.8.

Cabbage: 9.
It thrives best in a relatively cool, moist climate. It can withstand extreme cold and frost better than cauliflower. Growth in most cabbage varieties is arrested when temperature rises above 25°C. With the introduction of heat-tolerant hybrids and tropical lines, this temperature barrier has been reduced. It can be grown on all types of soils, but clay loam or silt soils give higher yield for late crops. It does not grow well on highly acidic soils and performs best at pH 5.5–6.5.

Capsicum: 10.
Capsicum cannot withstand heavy rains during flowering or fruit set. Very cold temperature (<12°C) at night hampers growth and fruit set. Ideal temperature for flowering is 26°–28°C during the day and 16°–18°C at night. Although it grows in a wide range of soils, red or sandy loam soil with pH 5.5–6.8 is ideal.

Carrot: 11.
Carrot can be grown on all types of soils but thrives best in deep, loose loamy soil. For early crops, sandy loam soil is preferred, whereas for high yield deep, loose and fertile loamy soil is desirable. The ideal soil pH is about 6.5.

Cauliflower: 12.
Cauliflower grows in temperatures ranging from 5°–8°C to 25°–28°C. The optimum temperature for young plant growth is around 23°C, while 17°–20°C is ideal during later stages. Deep loamy soils are ideal for cultivation. Optimum pH is 5.5–6.5.

Chilli: 13.
During its growing period (about four months), a maximum temperature of 20°–30°C and minimum temperature not below 10°C is ideal. Fruit colour is affected at temperatures below 15°C. Chilli can grow in many soil types from sandy to heavy clay, but a well-drained fertile loam with good moisture-holding capacity is ideal. Soil pH 6–7 is preferred.

Cowpea: 14.
Cowpea can be grown in almost all types of soils, but well-drained loam or slightly heavy soils are better. Saline or alkaline soils are unsuitable. It tolerates drought to some extent but not waterlogging. Germination is better at 12°–15°C, and the crop grows best at 21°–35°C.

Cucumber: 15.
The optimum temperature for anthesis and pollen dehiscence is 13°–18°C. For vegetative growth and yield, 18°–24°C is ideal. Well-drained loamy soil is preferred, and lighter soils that warm quickly in spring are suitable for early crops. Ideal pH is 5.5–6.8.

French Bean: 16.
A mean air temperature of 20°–25°C is optimum for growth and high pod yield. French bean grows in a wide range of well-drained alluvial friable soils, but cannot tolerate extremely acidic or alkaline soils. Optimum pH is 5.5–6.8.

Garlic: 17.
Garlic grows under a wide range of climatic conditions but cannot withstand extremely hot or cold temperatures. It requires medium black fertile well-drained loamy soil rich in humus and potash. Sandy soils produce lighter bulbs, while heavy soils produce deformed bulbs. Poor drainage causes bulb discoloration. Suitable pH range is 6–7.

Knol-Khol: 18.
Knol-khol thrives best in cool and moist climates. It grows well with an average temperature of 15°–20°C, with maximum and minimum averages of 24°C and 4.5°C. It can grow in many soil types but sandy loam soils are ideal for early crops and clay or silt loam for late crops. Optimum pH is 5.5–6.8.

Muskmelon: 19.
The optimum temperature for seed germination is 27°–30°C. Well-drained loamy soil is ideal. Muskmelon is sensitive to acidic soils and cannot grow successfully below pH 5.5. Ideal soil pH is 6.0–7.0.

Okra: 20.
Okra requires a long, warm and humid growing period. It is sensitive to frost and very low temperatures. Optimum temperature for growth is 24°–28°C. It grows in soils ranging from sandy to clay, but well-drained fertile soils are ideal. Suitable pH is 6.0–6.8.

Onion: 21.
Onion is a cool-season crop but can grow under diverse climates. Ideal temperature is 12°–12.8°C before bulbing and 15.5°–25°C during bulb development. Deep friable loam and alluvial soils are best suited.

Pea: 22.
Pea grows best at 15°–25°C. It grows in soils ranging from light sandy loam to clay, provided they are well drained. Ideal pH is 6.0–7.5.

Pointed Gourd: 23.
It grows best in well-drained sandy loam soils. It can also grow in light alluvial soils enriched with organic matter. Heavy soils are not suitable. The plant remains dormant in winter and grows vigorously during spring.

Potato: 24.
Potato grows best in cool regions with mean temperature below 18°C. Optimum temperature for growth is 15°–25°C. Tuber formation is favoured below 21°C. Light well-drained sandy loam soils are ideal. Preferred soil pH is 5.5–7.5.

Pumpkin: 25.
Pumpkin grows well in many soils, but sandy loam to loam soils are ideal. Optimum pH is 5.5–6.8. Ideal temperature range is 18°–30°C with short days, high humidity, and bright sunshine.

Radish: 26.
The optimum temperature for root development is 10°–15°C. Initial root growth occurs at 20°–30°C, but later development is better at 10°–14°C. Radish grows in many soils but friable loam soil rich in humus is best.

Ridge gourd: 27.
It grows very well in a warm, hot climate, the optimum temperature being 25°–30°C. Very high temperature, especially during the early crop growth stage, produces more male flowers which reduces yield. Very low temperature also affects vine growth. Sandy loam soil rich in organic matter is most suitable for higher yield.

Round melon: 28.
It grows well under warm and dry climate but can also be grown in both hot and mild climates. The temperature of 27°–30°C is optimum for seed germination. Sandy loam soils rich in organic matter are ideal for cultivation. The ideal soil pH is 6.0–7.0.

Tomato: 29.
Tomato is a warm-season vegetable but is also grown extensively during the cool season. The optimum temperature required for cultivation is 15°–27°C. At very high or very low temperatures, seed germination is poor and problems such as flower drop, poor fruit set and poor ripening occur. Mild winter conditions in northern plains are ideal for germination, growth, fruit set and ripening. Tomato grows in a wide variety of soils ranging from sandy loam to clay, black and red soils, provided drainage is good. However, sandy loam soil rich in organic matter is ideal. The suitable soil pH is 7.0–8.5. Tomato can tolerate moderately acidic and saline soils.

Turnip: 30.
Roots develop the best flavour, texture and size at 10°–15°C temperature. Turnip can grow in many soil types but performs best in loamy soil rich in humus. Well-drained sandy loam soil is ideal for its cultivation.

Watermelon: 31.
Plant growth is optimum at 28°–30°C, while fruiting is better at 24°–27°C. Higher temperatures are beneficial during fruit ripening. Arid regions of Rajasthan are suitable for producing high-quality fruits. Watermelon grows in a wide range of soils. Sandy loam soils are best for early crops, while loam soils have higher yield potential. Alluvial river-bed soils are also very suitable. The ideal soil pH is 6.5–7.0.