|
KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
|
Eucalyptus thrives both in the tropics and subtropics. High humidity and plenty of rainfall are conducive to its luxuriant growth. It can be grown in varied types of soils. The essential oil is used in the preparation of cosmetics, hair oil and soap and forms a raw material for menthol manufacture.
Preparation of land
Clear the land of jungle growth. Take pits of size 45 cm x 45 cm x 45 cm at a spacing 2 m x 2 m at least one month prior to planting and allow to weather. Fill up the pits with soil completely so as to prevent water stagnation.
Planting
Nursery is raised and 4-5 months old seedlings are planted with the commencement of southwest monsoon. After planting, press the soil around the seedling and form mound to prevent stagnation of water.
Manuring
Manuring is not usually done. However, application of 400 g ammonium sulphate, 60 g superphosphate and 25 g muriate of potash per plant per year during August from third year onwards is found to be useful in increasing leaf yield.
Aftercultivation
During first year, cultivate the rows in both directions to prevent weed growth. Hand weeding is done around the seedlings. Fire belts are to be provided all around.
Intercropping
Eucalyptus can be grown along with coffee, lemongrass and palmarosa. In the first four years, intercropping with pineapple, yam and vegetables can be done.
Harvest and curing
Pruning of side branches may be started from second year onwards. Lopping at a height of 2 m is done during third or fourth year and thereafter lopping is resorted to at half-yearly intervals leaving only one branch. For extracting oil, steam distillation is resorted to. Optimum time for distillation is two hours and the average recovery of oil is 1.5-1.8 per cent of the net weight of leaves. Wilting of the cut leaves under shade for 24 hours before distillation will increase the oil recovery percentage.
KACHOLAM (Kaempferia galanga)
(Ad hoc recommendation)
An attractive medicinal plant used in various medicines. The aromatic essential oil of the rhizome is widely used in perfumery, as a condiment, and as a folk medicine. Asians employ the rhizomes and leaves as a perfume in cosmetics, hair washes and powders. They are used to protect the clothing against insects. They are chewed with betel nut. Kacholam is a plant adapted for tropical climate. Fertile loamy soil having good drainage is ideal for the crop. Laterite soil with heavy organic manure application is also well suited.
Preparation of land
Prepare the land to a good tilth during March by ploughing or digging. On receipt of pre-monsoon showers in April,
prepare beds of 1 m width 25 cm height and of
convenient length with spacing of 40 cm
between beds.
Seed materials
Whole or split rhizome with at least one healthy sprout is the planting material in kacholam. Select well developed healthy and disease free rhizomes. Rhizomes can be stored in cool dry place or pits dug under shade, plastered with mud or cowdung. Two weeks before planting of the new crop, smoking the rhizomes by spreading it on Glycosmis pentaphylla (panal) leaves is practised in certain localities.
Varieties
Mostly local varieties are under cultivation and they include collections from Koothattukulam,Thodupuzha,Varandarapalli, Kalladikode, Ponnukkara, Perumbavoor and Vellanikkara. Rajani and Kasthuri are newly released high yielding varieties with an yield potential of more than 2 tonnes dry rhizomes per ha and have good aroma and flavour.
Season and method of planting
Planting is done during the month `of May with the receipt of four or five premonsoon showers. Take small pits in the
beds in rows with a spacing of 20 cm x 15 cm and at a depth of 4-5 cm and plant rhizomes
with at least one viable healthy bud facing upwards. Adopt seed rate of 700-800 kg
ha-1.
Manuring
Apply FYM or compost as basal dose @ 20 t ha-1, either by broadcasting and ploughing or by covering the rhizome in pits after planting. Apply N, P2O5 and K2O @ 50, 50 and 50 kg ha-1 at the time of the first and second weeding.
Mulching
After planting, mulch the beds with dry or green leaves @ 15 t ha-1.
After cultivation
Remove weeds as and when necessary. Apply fertilizers and earth up the crop during the first and second weeding (45 and 90 days after planting). Avoid water stagnation in the beds. Further weeding will not be necessary as the spreading leaves will smother the soil surface.
Plant protection
During heavy rains, leaf rot disease occurs in certain localities. For controlling this disease, drench the beds with 1 per cent Bordeaux mixture or thiram 0.2 per cent.
For controlling nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita
and Radopholus similis) associated with Kacholam, rhizome treatment
with Pseudomonas fluorescense/(Pfl) @ 3 per cent
weight by weight of seed material or by green leaf mulching with neem
and glyricidia @ 5kg/m2 at 30 DAP can be
recommended.
Harvesting and curing
The crop can be harvested seven months after planting. Drying of the leaves is the
indication of crop maturity for harvest.
Harvest the crop carefully without cutting
the rhizomes, remove dried leaves and roots, wash the rhizome in water and dry. With
sharp knife, chop the rhizomes into circular
pieces of uniform size except the end portion,
which has to be cut separately. Spread the cut
rhizomes uniformly on clean floor and allow drying for four days. On fourth day, heap
the rhizomes and keep it overnight. On the next day it is again spread and dried. Clean
the dried produce, bag and store in cool dry place or market it. Prolonged storage can
cause insect and fungus attack.
Lemongrass prefers warm climate with a well-distributed rainfall and well-drained soil. Usually it is grown on poor, gravelly soils. Lemongrass is a perennial grass mainly cultivated on hill slopes as a rainfed crop. The crop provides maximum yield from the second to fourth year of planting and economic yield up to the sixth year. Thereafter, the yield declines considerably. The leaves yield an aromatic oil, containing 70-90 per cent citral. This oil is used in soaps, cosmetics and disinfectants and is a raw material for manufacturing ionones and vitamin A.
Seeds and sowing
The crop is propagated mostly through seeds. It can also be propagated vegetatively through planting of slips.
OD-19 is the improved variety of lemongrass recommended for cultivation.
Seeds can be sown directly in the field or seedlings are raised in a nursery and then transplanted. Transplanted crop is found superior to direct-sown crop in respect of grass yield, oil content and citral content in oil. Seeds are sown in well prepared nursery beds during April-May with the onset of pre-monsoon rains and covered with thin layer of soil. The seed rate is 3 to 4 kg ha-1. Seeds collected in the season should be sown latest by August of the same year. The seedlings will be ready for transplanting in 2 to 2.5 months.
Preparation of land
The land is prepared by digging. Raised beds of 75-80 cm width and of convenient length are formed with a spacing of 30-35 cm between beds. On sloppy terrain, the beds are formed along the contours. At the early southwest monsoon (June-July), two or three seedlings or slips per hill are transplanted on the beds at a spacing of 15-20 cm in 4-5 rows. Before planting, the top leafy portion of the seedling is cut off leaving the plant stalk about 15-20 cm length.
Manuring
Application of compost made of spent lemongrass (refuse obtained after distillation) and wood ash @ 2500 kg ha-1 and 1875 kg ha-1 respectively is found beneficial. Application of nitrogenous fertilizers @ 100 kg ha-1 in four splits (each after 1st to 4th harvest) has been found to increase oil yield considerably.
After cultivation
Regular weeding depending on weed growth and earthing up at least once in a
year along with manuring is recommended.
Serious pests or diseases do not generally infest the crop.
Harvesting
Harvesting is done by cutting the grass 10 cm above ground level. During the first year of planting, three cuttings are obtained and subsequently five to six cuttings per year are taken subject to weather conditions. The harvesting season begins in May and continues till the end of January. The first harvest is taken about 90 days after planting and subsequent harvests at intervals of 40-50 days. The optimum interval between harvests to obtain maximum quantity of oil is 40-45 days for local types of lemon grass. For OD-19, the optimum interval was found to be 60-65 days when grown in hill tops and 45-55 days in valleys and lower areas.
Seed collection
The crop for seed production is left
without cutting to get maximum seeds. The crop flowers during
November-December and the seeds are collected during
January-February. The whole panicle is cut and
dried for one or two days and then threshed and sieved to collect the seeds.
Distillation
Essential oil from lemon grass leaves is extracted by distillation. There are three systems of distillation: hydro, hydrosteam and steam distillation. Time required for one distillation is about two hours including the time required for charging and discharging, provided the firewood is well dried and of good quality. A light yellow, lemon scented volatile oil is obtained. When crop area is large enough, steam method is found to be more economical. Coal is used as fuel.
The cut grass is chopped into smaller pieces before feeding to the distillation unit. It can be stored up to 3 days under shade without any adverse effect on yield or quality of oil.
Storage of oil
Lemongrass oil can be stored up to 3 years without affecting the quality of oil, if kept
in aluminium containers sealed air-tight using wax. The containers are to be kept in darkness.
Yield
The grass yield during the first year will be about 10 t ha-1, which gives about 28 kg of oil. From the second year onwards, the grass yield will be about 25 t ha-1 giving about 75 kg of oil. The average recovery of oil is 0.30-0.35 per cent with 70 per cent citral for local types of lemongrass while OD-19 variety gives 0.40-0.45 per cent oil recovery and 85-90 per cent citral content.
The flowering tops and foliage contain sweet smelling oil emitting a rose like odour and is widely used in soaps, cosmetics and perfumery industries. The oil is also used as a raw material for producing geraniol, which is extensively used in the perfumery industry.
Propagation
The crop can be propagated by seeds and slips. Seedlings establish quicker and are better than slips from clones. So seedlings are preferred as planting materials under Kerala conditions. Prepare the seedbed in well pulverized soil after 15th April. Four to five kg of seeds are sown in one hectare of land and covered with a thin layer of soil. Give frequent watering till the onset of
southwest monsoon. Seeds collected in January-February must be sown latest by August.
Planting
Prepare the main field for planting, form beds and plant the seedling, two on a hill, at a spacing of 30 cm x 20 cm. Apply organic manures like compost made of spent grass and wood ash @ 6 t ha-1 and 2.5 t ha-1 respectively at the time of formation of beds.
Harvesting
By about 3.5 to 4 months, the plants
attain a height of 150-200 cm and they
start producing inflorescence. The grass is cut
one week after flowering. Generally two cuttings are made during the first year of
planting. From second year onwards 3 to 5 cuttings are possible.
Distillation
As in the case of lemongrass, extraction of palmarosa oil is done by the steam and water method. It takes two hours to complete one distillation. The average recovery of oil from Amaravathy variety is 0.40 to 0.45 per cent. Allowing the cut grass to wilt in shade for 24 hours during monsoon seasons and 48 hours during the postmonsoon will increase the oil recovery.
Plant protection
Pink globular root aphids (Tetraneura) occur on the roots and cause withering of the crop in patches due to desapping. Dig out and burn the affected patches and irrigate with water charged with fish oil soap or emulsion spray oil to control the aphids.
VETIVER (Vetiveria
zizanioides)
Vetiver is a perennial grass, commonly known as `khus' plant and mainly cultivated on hill slopes as a rainfed crop. The essential oil is extracted from the roots and known as `khuskhus oil'.
It prefers a warm climate and grows in areas up to 600 m elevation. Even though vetiver grows almost in all soils, a rich and fairly well drained sandy loam is the best. An annual rainfall of about 100 to 200 cm, temperature ranging from 25 to 40ºC and moderate humidity are ideal for its growth.
Its root contains fragrant oil, which is a perfume by itself. The dry aromatic roots are made into curtains, mats, fans, etc. to emit scented cool aroma when moistened. The oil is used as a valuable fixative for blending perfumes and cosmetics.
Varieties
Two types of vetiver namely, South Indian and North Indian (khus) are generally under cultivation. South Indian types produce higher root and oil yield, but North Indian types have superior oil quality. Among the South Indian types, the Nilambur type (ODV-3) on an average produces 5 t ha-1 of root, yielding 20-30 kg oil ha-1.
Planting
The crop is propagated through slips. June-July is the optimum period for
planting. Two to three ploughing are given
so that the soil is well loosened and ridges or beds of convenient length are made. Slips
are planted in two rows on 1 m wide beds.
Manuring
Usually 5 t ha-1 of FYM or compost is applied at the time of bed preparation. Application of 22.5 kg each of P2O5 and K2O per ha is found to be beneficial for increasing root and oil yield.
Harvesting and distillation
The optimum period of harvest of
roots to get the maximum oil yield is 18 months. Harvesting is done with the
digging forks. The roots are washed gently to
remove the earth and are chopped into bits of 4-5
cm length. The oil is extracted by hydro-
distillation.
Vetiver as a soil binder
Vetiver has a deep, dense and strong fibrous root system. The perennial and
sterile characteristics of the crop with its
hardiness and unpalatability to livestock make it an excellent soil-conserving crop. It
may be planted as a contour hedge on sloppy lands or can be used to protect the banks of
major irrigation canals.
This is an attractive erect rambling shrub with long tuberous roots and bright red flowers in long terminal spikes. The root tubers are the medicinally important parts. This is an esteemed remedy for leucoderma and other skin diseases. The synonyms of fire like `agnih' `analah' etc. are attributed to this drug to indicate the caustic action of roots causing blisters on the skin. The drug is used only after adequate curing and purification. Roots contain plumbagin, which is responsible for the therapeutic action of the drug.
Varieties: Mridhula and Agni.
Planting materials
Propagated by single,
double or three node semi-hard wood stem cuttings. Cuttings are planted in
nursery beds of convenient length and 1 m width for rooting.
Land
preparation
Prepare the land to a good tilth by ploughing two or three times. Make
ridges of about 30 cm height and 50 cm apart for planting rooted cuttings.
Two to three month old rooted cuttings can be planted on the ridges at a
spacing of 15 cm in June-July.
Manuring
Cattle manure or compost @ 10 t ha-1 may be applied as basal dose at the time of land preparation. The fertilizer dose for chethikoduveli is N:P2O5:K2O 50:50:50 kg ha-1. Entire P2O5 has to be applied as basal dose and N and K2O in two split doses, 2 months and 4 months after planting.
Aftercultivation
Weeding has to be done two or three times depending on weed growth. Earthing
up may be done two times along with topdressing of fertilizers.
For controlling nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita and Radopholus similis) associated with Chethikoduveli, apply Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf1) @ 10g/plant at the time of transplanting rooted cuttings.
Harvesting
The crop can be harvested in about 12-18 months after planting. After digging out, the root tubers are cleaned by washing in water and marketed.
NEELA AMARI [NILI] (Indigofera tinctoria)
Nili is a reputed drug for the promotion of hair growth. Due to antitoxic property it is also a good remedy for poisons. This plant, which is the original source of natural indigo, is an erect shrub with imparipinnate leaves. Leaves are important in medicine and form a major ingredient of preparations like `Nilibhringadi'.
Land preparation
Prepare the soil to fine tilth by ploughing two or three times.
Seeds and sowing
Seeds are very small and the seed rate is 3 kg ha-1. Seeds require
pretreatment for good germination, as the seed coat is hard. Seeds are mixed
with sand and ground gently to break the seed coat. An alternate method for
enhancing germination is dipping the seeds in boiling water for a second. After
pre- treatment seeds are broadcasted. Broadcast the seeds preferably mixed with
sand 2-3 times its volume to ensure uniform coverage. Seeds germinate within a
week.
Seasons
The best time for sowing is September-October.
Manuring
Apply cattle manure @
10 t ha-1 as basal dressing and incorporate into soil along with last
ploughing.
Aftercultivation
Weeding has to be done twice, three weeks and six weeks after sowing.
Harvesting
Plants start flowering 2-3 months after sowing. Harvesting is done by cutting
the plants at this time, at a height of about 20 cm from ground level. Irrigate
plants after harvest. Subsequent harvests can be made at 1.5 - 2 months
interval. Four to five cuttings can be taken in a year depending on the growth.
Seed collection
A few plants per plot are left without cutting to set seeds. Ripe pods are to be harvested in the early morning to prevent loss of seeds by shattering during harvest.
Pests
The psyllid Arytaina
puctipennis infest top shoot causing curling up and drooping of leaves and
shoots, and wilting of plants.
CHENGAZHINIRKIZHANGU (Kaempferia rotunda)
Indian crocus, also known as bhucampaka in Sanskrit, abhuyicampa in Hindi and chengazhinirkizhangu in Malayalam is a medicinal herb with aromatic rhizome. The rhizomes are used for the treatment of tumours, swellings and wounds. It helps to remove blood clots and other purulent matters in body. It is used in many ayurvedic formulations including `Chyavanaprasam' for improving complexion and curing burning sensation, gastric complaints, mental disorders and insomnia.
Climate and soil
The plant is distributed in the tropics and subtropics of Asia and Africa. It grows wild in wet, humid or shaded forest ecosystems of south India. It is also cultivated as an intercrop with other commercial crops. Moist loamy soil is ideal for the crop. Laterite soil with heavy organic manure application is also well suited.
Propagation
It is propagated through rhizomes and tissue culture methods.
Varieties
At present, only local types are available for cultivation.
Season
The optimum time of planting is with the receipt of four or five pre-monsoon showers in May-June.
Land preparation
Plough the field to
good tilth. Incorporate organic manure at 10-15 t ha-1. Prepare
raised seedbeds of 1 m breadth and of convenient length.
Seed rate
Use rhizome bits of size 10-15 g for planting. About 2500-3000 kg rhizomes are
required for planting one hectare. Smoking the rhizomes for 2-3 weeks is good
for the development of healthy sprouts. At times, rhizomes are stored in
Glycosmis pentaphylla leaves in underground pits covered with coconut
fronds.
Planting
Pits are made at 20
cm spacing on the seedbed. Whole or split rhizomes with at least one healthy
sprout is planted 5 cm deep with the sprout facing upwards and covering the pit
with FYM.
Mulching
Mulch the beds thickly with green leaves or straw @ 15 t ha-1
immediately after planting and again after two months along with weeding and
topdressing. Mulching is absolutely essential for good growth.
Fertilizer application
Fertilizer
application can be skipped in fertile soils. In poor and marginal soils a
moderate dose of 50:50:50 N:P2O5:K2O kg ha-1
may be applied; P2O5 as basal and N and K2O in
two or three split doses.
Aftercultivation
Remove weeds, apply manure and fertilizers and earth up two and four months
after planting, followed by mulching.
Plant protection
During rainy months, rhizome rot is noticed which can be controlled by drenching
1 per cent Bordeaux mixture.
Harvesting and yield
The crop matures in 7-8 months. Drying up of the leaves is the indication of
maturity. Dig out the rhizomes carefully, remove leaves and clean. The rhizomes
with attached tubers are usually marketed afresh. Prolonged storage may cause
insect and fungus attack. The average yield is 12-15 t ha-1 and dry
rhizome yield 27-30 per cent.
Curcuma aromatica
known as vanharidra in Sanskrit jangali-haldi in Hindi and kasthurimanjal in
Malayalam is a rhizomatous herbaceous medicinal plant. The rhizome is an
odoriferous ingredient of the cosmetics used for the cure of chronic skin
diseases caused by impure blood. It is used as appetizer and tonic to women
after childbirth. It is also useful against high fever and worm infestation.
Propagation
It is propagated
vegetatively by rhizomes and by tissue culture methods. Varieties
At present, only
local types are available for cultivation.
Land preparation Planting
Take small pits at 60
cm x 40 cm spacing on the seedbed and plant seed rhizomes with the germinating
sprout facing upwards. Cover the rhizome with FYM and mulch the bed with leaves
or straw.
Fertilizer application
Apply fertilizers @
100:50:50 N:P2O5:K2O kg ha-1; entire
P2O5 as basal and N and K2O in two equal splits
at planting and two months after planting.
Aftercultivation
Carry out gap filling
if necessary within one month. Remove weeds two months after planting followed
by topdressing, earthing up and mulching.
Plant protection
No serious pests and
diseases are encountered in the crop. The crop matures in 7
months. Drying up of leaves is the indication of maturity. Dig out the rhizomes
without causing damage. Remove the dry leaves and roots. The cleaned rhizomes
are either marketed or dried and stored. The average yield of fresh rhizome is
28 t ha-1 which on drying gives 27 per cent recovery. The rhizome is thinly
sliced and steam distilled for 3-4 hours for extracting the essential oil and
the yield is 90 litres per ha. Oil recovery is 0.33 per cent on fresh weight
basis and 1.05 per cent on dry weight basis.
CHITTARATHA
(Alpinia
calcarata)
Climate and soil
It is distributed in Southeast Asia. The plant grows wild in the eastern
Himalayas and in moist deciduous forests of Kerala and Karnataka. It is grown as
a subsistence crop in backyard, kitchen garden and interspaces of other crops in
areas with good rainfall. Well-drained rich loamy soils are ideal for the crop.
Clear the areas, remove all the pebbles and stones and plough the field to
good tilth. Incorporate FYM or organic manure @ 10-15 t ha-1.
Prepare raised seedbeds of 1.2 m breadth and of convenient length.
Seed rate
A healthy disease free mother rhizome with at least one germinated sprout is
the planting material. It is required @ 1500 kg ha-1.
Harvesting and yield
Processing
Alpinia calcarata is also known as
rasna in Sanskrit, kulainjan in Hindi and
chittaratha in Malayalam. It is a perennial herb with
non-tuberous pungent rootstock. It grows to a height of 1.5 m and produces around 24
suckers per clump per year. The economic part is rhizome, which is a major constituent of
many formulations of indigenous system of
medicine for relieving throat inflammation, stimulating digestion, purifying blood,
improving voice and marinating youthful vigour. Propagation
It is propagated vegetatively by
rhizomes and by tissue culture methods. Varieties
At present, only local types are
available for cultivation.
Season
Rainfed crop is planted with the onset
of monsoon in May-June. Irrigated crop can be planted at any time.
Land preparation
Plough the field to good tilth. Remove
all pebbles and stones. Incorporate FYM or organic manure at 10-15 t
ha-1. Prepare raised beds of convenient length and breadth to
facilitate drainage.
Seed rate
Fresh healthy disease-free rhizome
bits with at least one shoot is the planting
material, which is required @ 1000-1500 kg
ha-1. Take small pits on the seedbed and
plant 5 cm long rhizome bits. Cover rhizome with FYM and mulch the seedbed with leaves
or straw. The optimum spacing is 40 cm x 30 cm under good fertility and 30 cm x 20 cm under poor fertility conditions.
Fertilizer application
Apply fertilizers @ 100:50:50
N:P2O5:
K2O kg
ha-1 per year in two or three split doses. Application of biofertilizer
Azos-pirillum @ 10 kg
ha-1 and in situ green manuring with cowpea are beneficial for
the crop. Usually pests and diseases are not
serious enough to take up any control
measures. Occasionally shoot borers and
leaf eating caterpillars are observed. Blight
disease can be controlled by spraying 1
per cent Bordeaux mixture.
Harvesting and yield
Though the crop can be harvested
after 18 months, the optimum stage of harvest for obtaining maximum rhizome and oil yield is
36-42 months after planting. Cut and
remove the shoot portion and carefully dig out the rhizomes and roots. Harvesting is very
arduous due to strong and extensive root ramification. Separate the roots, clean the
rhizomes and cut into 5 cm long pieces,
which are dried in the sun for 3-5 days to
10 per cent moisture for marketing. The
average yield of rhizomes is about 23 t
ha-1, which on drying gives 25 per cent recovery.
Processing
The fresh rhizomes on steam
distillation for 3-5 hours give 0.22 per cent essential
oil. The oil recovery on dry weight basis is
0.93 per cent. Rhizome is also a
significant contributor of essential oil.
BLACK MUSLI
(Curculigo
orchioides)
Black musli or Nilappana, one of
the ayurvedic dasapushpas, is a small geophilous herbaceous plant with
cylindrical rhizome. Rhizome is the economic part. It
is a rejuvenating and aphrodiasic drug. It improves complexion and is useful in
general debility, deafness, cough,
asthma, piles, skin diseases, impotence, jaundice,
urinary disorders etc. It is an ingredient
of ayurvedic formulations like Vidaryadighrita, Vidaryati lehya, Murma gulika,
Musalyadi churna, etc.
Climate and soil
The plant is found through out India
from near sea level to 2300m altitude,
particularly in rock crevices and laterite soil. It
grows well in moist humus _ rich soils especially
in shady forest areas and rubber plantations. It is a shade loving plant and its growth,
yield and quality are optimum under 25 percent shade. It can be grown as an under
story crop or intercrop in plantations.
Propagation
The plant is propagated through
rhizome. New propagules also emerge from leaf tips in contact with soil during monsoon. The
plant is slow growing and less competitive.
Varieties hybridization.
Season Land preparation
Plough the field to good tilth. Remove
all pebbles and stones. Incorporate poultry manure at 2.7 t
ha-1 or FYM 20t ha-1.
Prepare raised beds of convenient length and breadth to facilitate drainage.
Seed rate
Fresh healthy disease free rhizome
with at least one shoot is the planting material, which is required at 750 kg
ha-1. Fresh rhizome bits of 1.5-2 cm are
planted at a spacing of 10 cm x10 cm. 25 per cent shade is required for proper growth.
Fertilizer application
Apply fertilizers at 10:8:5 kg N,
P205 and K2O
ha-1 for maximizing nutrient use
efficiency and realizing highest yield of
quality rhizome.
Aftercultivation
Carry out gap filling, if any, within
one month. Soil should be sufficiently moist to
get maximum rhizome development. Two
to three weeding is essential to control weeds. As the rhizome development is
upward
regular earthing up is required for high yield.
Plant Protection Harvesting and Yield
HOLOSTEMMA (Holostemma adakodien)
Holostemma or Adapathiyan is a
large, glabrous, laticiferous twining shrub, much branched, with shining stem and large conspicuous flowers. Root is the
economic part. It is useful in ophthalmopathy,
orchitis, cough, burning sensation, stomachalgia constipation, fever and tridoshas. It is
used in preparations of Vidaryadi ganam, Dhanwandharam thaila, Manasa
mithra vatakam, Balarishta and Anuthaila. It is
also useful in eye diseases and it imparts resistance to diseases.It grows on a wide range of climate and soil. Well-drained hilly areas with an
underlying hard pan is good for its
cultivation. Fertile red loams to forest soils are suitable.
Propagation
The plant is propagated vegetatively
by stem cuttings and by seeds. The seeds are collected from the plant in November- December before being dispersed. Seeds are
cleaned, dried and stored for sowing.
The stored seeds after soaking in water for
4-5 hours are sown on seedbeds. About
one month old seedlings are planted in polybags, which are kept in shade and irrigated.
About 1-1.5 month old seedlings are ready for transplanting. Seasons
Rainfed crop is planted with the onset
of monsoon in May-June. Irrigated crop can be planted any time.
Land preparation Planting
Pits of 30cm3 size are taken
at a spacing of 60 cm x30 cm distance and filled with
10kg dried cowdung and top soil and formed into a mound. Seedlings are transplanted on to
the mounds from the polybags carefully.
Fertilizer application
Application of NPK @ 100:50:50 kg
ha-1 is beneficial. Flowering and fruiting occurs in
November-December. Harvesting can
be done one and half to two years after
planting and it is better to harvest in
January February. The tubers are cut into pieces of 10cm length and dried in sun before sale.
Yield of dry tubers is about 1. 5 t
ha-1. Dry tuber contains 53 per cent starch, 11
per cent protein, 2 per cent fibre, 17 per cent fat
and 5 per cent ash.
ASOKA
(Saraca asoca)
Asoka or Asokam is a medium sized beautiful evergreen tree growing upto 9m
in height with numerous spreading and
drooping glabrous branches. It is a sacred tree of Hindus and Buddhists and
possesses varied medicinal properties. The bark is
useful in dyspepsia, fever, burning
sensation, visceromegaly, colic, ulcers,
menorrhagia, metropathy, leucorrhoea and pimples.
The leaf juice mixed with cumin seeds is used for treating stomachalagia. The flowers are
considered to be uterine tonic and are used in vitiated conditions or pitta, syphilis, cervical adinities, hyperdipsia, burning sensation, haemorrhoids, dysentery,
scabies in children and inflammation.The
well-known Ayurvedic preparations are Ashokarishta
and Ashokaghrita. Ashokarishta is prescribed in leucorrhoea, haematuria, menorrhagia
and other diseases of genitourinary system of females.
Climate and soil
Asoka grows well in areas with well-
distributed rainfall and in slightly shady
areas. The tree is grown throughout India except in northwestern part of the
country upto an elevation of about 750m. It grows on a wide range of soils. Propagation
The plant is seed propagated. Seeds
are formed usually during February-April. Seeds are collected when they are ripe and
fall down. They are sown after soaking in water for 12 hours on the prepared beds.
Seeds germinate within 20 days. The seeds are
then planted in polybags. 2 month old seedlings from the polybags are used for
transplanting. Air layering in Asoka is found
successful. Coir pith composte is the best root
media. June-July is the ideal time for air layering.
Varieties Planting After cultivation Plant protection STRYCHNINE TREE
(Strychnos nux-vomica)
Strychnos or kanjiram is a large deciduous tree with a fairly straight and
cylindrical bole having dark grey or
yellowish grey bark and minute tubercles.
Strychnos is highly toxic to man and animals producing stiffness of muscles and convulsions, ultimately leading to death.
In small doses it can serve as efficacious cure for paralysis and other nervous disorders.
The seeds are used as a remedy in intermittent fever, dyspepsia, chronic dysentery,
paralytic and neuralgic affections. It is also useful
in impotence, neuralgia of face and heart
disease. Leaves are applied as poultice in
the treatment of chronic wounds and
ulcers and the leaf decoction is useful in
paralytic complaints. Root and root bark is used
in fever and dysentery.
Climate and soil
The plant is distributed throughout
India in deciduous forests up to 1200m. It is
also found in Sri Lanka and Malaysia. It prefers tropical and subtropical climate. It is
grown in different soil types such as laterite,
sandy and alluvial. The leaf fall is during December (do not shed all the leaves at a time)
and new foliage appears in February.
Propagation
It is propagated through seeds.
Viability of seeds decreases on stoarage. Fresh
and dry seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica has
poor germination. Germination can be substantially increased by treating the seeds with hot
water (500 C) for a period of six to
twelve hours prior to sowing. Planting
Seeds are sown in poly bags. The
saplings are later transplanted to the main
field on to pits of about 1m x 1m taken at a
spacing of 6m x 6m, filled with top soil
and organic manure. After cultivation
Harvesting and yield
Flowering is during March-April
and fruiting during May-December. Fruits take about 8-9 months to mature.
Mature fruits are to be harvested from time to
time. Mature pods are collected and seeds are extracted, washed, dried and stored
for later use. The yield is 50-75 kg dry seed per tree per year.
Climate and soil
Alpinia comes up well in tropical climate. It grows on a wide range of climate and soil.
Well-drained hilly areas and places up to
1400 m altitude are good for its cultivation. Fertile red loams to forests soils are suitable.
Planting
Aftercultivation
Carry out gap filling, if required, within one month; remove weeds two months
after planting followed by topdressing, earthing
up and mulching. Thereafter no weeding is
required as the crop smothers the weeds.
Plant protection
At present only local varieties are
available for cultivation. However, a large
variability exists among the natural
population, which offers wide scope for
improvement of the crop by selection and
Rain fed crop is planted with the onset of monsoon in May-June. Irrigated crop
can be planted any time.
Planting
Seedling rot is found during rainy season and spraying 1
per cent Bordeaux mixture can control it. Black rot disease can be
controlled by spraying 0.08 per
cent tridemorph. Rhizomes are found eaten by rodents and hence proper measures are
to be taken for their control.
Production of secondary rhizomes starts from fourth month. The plant grows
actively upto 7 months, after which it could be harvested for rhizome yield. During
summer months the above ground portion
becomes dried up. If is not harvested
during the current year, it will put forth new shoots with the onset of next monsoon.
The plant can thus remain as a perennial.
Harvesting is done by digging out the
rhizomes. The shoot portion and the
roots are removed and the separated rhizomes are cleaned. Fresh rhizome yield is 3-4 t
ha-1. Rhizomes are sliced to 1cm size, dried in
sun and marketed or stored in gunny bags. The dried rhizome yield is 1-1.5 t
ha-1 (35-45 per cent driage). Higher yield is obtained if
harvested during second year. Dry rhizome contains 53
per cent starch, 12 per cent
protein, 3 per cent fibre, 2 per cent fat,
0.1 per cent curculigoside and 4 per cent ash.
Varieties
Jeeva is a high yielding variety. It has purple colored stem with a yield of 4.5t
ha-1 of fresh tubers.At present, only local varieties are available for cultivation.
Plough the field to good tilth. Remove all pebbles and stones. Incorporate FYM
or organic manure at 20 t ha-1.
Aftercultivation
Carry out gap filling, if any, within one month; remove weeds two months after
planting followed by top dressing, earthing up and mulching. Thereafter no weeding
is required as the crop smothers the
weeds. Since the crop is twining in
nature, pandal or stakes are to be provided to aid trailing. Regular irrigation is to be given
till flowering.
Plant protection
Aphid infestation is seen in the crop, which can be controlled by spraying 0.05
per cent quinalphos.
Harvesting and yield
At present, only local varieties are
available for cultivation.
Season
The crop is planted with the onset of
monsoon in May-June.
Square shaped pits of 60cm depth are taken at 3m spacing and filled with
topsoil, sand and dried cow dung. 2 month old seedlings are then transplanted.
The base of the trees is to be cleared of weeds and FYM at 2 kg/tree/year may
be applied twice; first in May-June and again in October-November. The dose is to be
increased gradually to 10kg from 5th year
onwards. Chemical fertilizers are not
usually applied. However its application
during the initial years will help in better
establishment of the plant. NPK at 90:45:45 g/tree/year is recommended.
No serious pests or diseases are generally noted in this crop.
Harvesting and yield
Asoka can be cut after 20 years for
collection of bark, the medicinally useful part.
It is cut at a height of 15cm from soil level. If irrigation and fertilizers are given the
stump will produce new shoots and it can be
harvested again after 5 years.
Alternatively, the bark can be collected without cutting
down the tree. The bark is peeled off
first, vertically from one side of the main trunk.
The excised area is renewed with fresh bark in 1-2 years. Then, the bark on the other
side can be peeled off. The process can be
continued over years.
Season
Seedlings can be planted in main field with the onset of South-West monsoon in
May _ June.
The basins of the trees are cleared of weeds and after application of manures
and fertilizers covered with soil. FYM at 2kg per tree is to be applied during early stages
and the dose is gradually increased to
20kg from 5th year onwards. The plant
responded very well to organic manuring, fertilizer application is generally detrimental to
the growth of Strychnos. However, when
inorganic fertilizer (NPK 100:50:50 kg
ha-1)
is applied along with FYM the negative
effect of fertilizer could be neutralized to some extent.
Plant protection
No serious pests or diseases are generally noted in this crop.
THIPPALI (Piper longum)
(Ad hoc recommendation)
Thippali is one of the important
medicinal plants used in many of the Ayurvedic
drugs. Fruits as well as roots of the plant are attributed with numerous medicinal
properties and are used for diseases of
respiratory tract, carminative and as a
general tonic for maintaining health, vigour and vitality. It is an active ingredient in
drugs for fever, jaundice, snake bite, leprosy,
tuberculosis and urinary tract diseases.
It is a slender aromatic climber with
perennial woody roots. It is a dioecious
plant with female and male spikes seen in
different plants. Male spikes are long and slender
with green colour during immature stage and yellowish during mature mage. Female
spikes are short and thicker and greenish in
immature stage and deep black in
mature stages. Dried mature female spikes are
commercially marketed.
Preparation of land
Thippali is highly adapted for warm
humid tropical climate. Fertile, loamy soil having good drainage is ideal for this
crop. Sandy soil with high organic content is
also well suited. It is a shade loving plant
and can be cultivated in middle aged
coconut gardens and also in similarly shaded plantations.3-4 ploughings are needed
for preparation of land.
Seed materials
3-5 noded cuttings are used for production of rooted cuttings. During
March-April the cuttings should be
planted in polythene bags containing potting
mixture. For effective production of rooted
cuttings of thippali 25 per cent shaded green
houses provided with mist is used. After two
months the rooted cuttings will be ready for
transplanting into the main field.
Varieties
Variety `Viswam' is recommended
for higher spike yield both in irrigated open and shaded conditions. It recorded 800 to
850kg dry spikes per hectare in open condition and 350 to 400kg in coconut gardens during
second year of planting. Irrigation
Thippali can be cultivated as a sole
crop as well as an intercrop in partially shaded plantations. If it is a sole crop irrigation
may be provided once in a week and as an
intercrop in irrigated gardens, irrigation
for the main crop will be sufficient for this crop also. If irrigation is not possible during
summer months application of mulching
using dried leaves is recommended.
Weeding Harvesting and curing
Mature female spikes can be
harvested seven months after planting. Black
matured female spikes can be harvested in weekly intervals.The spikes are to be dried
under shaded conditions for two weeks and is ready for marketing. The dry spike
yield will be 1/5th of the fresh weight of
the spike.
Plant protection
For controlling nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita
and Radopholus similis) associated with Thippali apply
Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf1) @ 10g/plant is recommended.
Season, method of planting and
manuring
In a well ploughed land beds of 1m width and of convenient length may be taken
and pits are and at a spacing of 60 cm x 30 cm,
or 30 cm x 30 cm in the bed. FYM @ 2
kg per pit can be incorporated into the soil and
it should be filled up with top soil. Once in two months application of cow dung slurry followed by earthing up will increase the general growth and yield of spikes. FYM @
20 t ha-1 is needed for one hectare.
Between the beds channel of about 30 cm depth have to be provided for easy drainage of
water. Two rooted cuttings per pit have to be
planted during the month of May-June after the
receipt of 4-5 pre-monsoon
showers.12,000 rooted cuttings are needed for planting in
one hectare.
During the first year the field should be free from weeds and second year
onwards the whole field will be covered by the
growth of vines.
NEEM (Azadirachta indica)
Neem is known as Aryavepu in Malayalam, Neem in Hindi and Nimba in Sanskrit. The drug consists of dried stem, bark, leaves and root bark. The bark gives bitter tonic and is an astringent and is useful for fevers and skin diseases. It is also having insecticidal property.
Climate and soil
The tree is well distributed throughout
the tropics and subtropics. It is also grown
in homesteads of Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka etc. Well drained loamy soils
are suitable for its cultivation.
Propagation
It is propagated through seeds.
Cultivation
Plough the field and pits of size 60 cm x 60 cm x 45 cm are taken at a distance of
4 m. The pit is covered with FYM @1
kg/pit and top soil. The seedlings are planted in
the centre of pit. Irrigate the crop regularly. Mulching the crop in the early stages is
found to be good.
PATHIMUGHAM (Caesalpinia sappan)
The Heart wood is the economic part
and used for medicinal purpose. It gives a cooling effect. The drinking water
prepared by boiling the heart wood is effective
against coronary complaints, uterine diseases etc. Natural dye extracted from the heart
wood of the tree is used for coloring textiles,
liquors etc. on a commercial scale. Plough the field and pits of size
60 cm x 60 cm x 45 cm are taken at a
distance of 2.5-3 m. One third of the pit is covered with FYM @1kg/pit and top soil. The
seedlings are planted in the centre of the pit. Irrigate the crop regularly. It is best to
grow near the fences since it is having thorns on the stem. If it is grown as a monocrop, intercropping is difficult.
Management
Irrigate the crop regularly. Weeding
also should be done. Prune the side branches from
1st year onwards and allow one or two branches to grow.
Harvesting CHITTADALOTAKAM
(Adathoda beddomei) Chittadalotakam is known as `vasa'
in Sanskrit. It is used in many ayurvedic preparations against cough, rheumatic
complaints, bronchitis etc. The whole plant, leaves and roots can be used as the
economic part.
Propagation
It is propagated by soft
woodcuttings. Well- drained loamy soils are best suited
for cultivation. It can tolerate shade and can be grown as inter crop in coconut and
rubber gardens. It can be planted on mounds or
ridges in levelled field. In sloppy areas pits can
be taken for planting. The soft wood cuttings are planted in poly bags and when they
attain 4-5 leaves in 2 months, they are Harvesting KOOVALAM
(Aegle marmelos)
In Sanskrit it is known as vilwam and it
is one of the ingredients of "Dasamoola" .
The drug compresses of ripe or half ripe fruits of the tree. The fruit is very useful in
chronic diarrhea and dysentery. The unripe or half ripe fruits improve appetite and digestion.
The leaves and roots are effective against
stomach complaints and diabetes. There are 2 types of Koovalam, North Indian type
and South Indian type, of which North Indian type is suitable for cultivation. The fruits of
these are edible. Land preparation and planting
Plough the field, and pits of size 60 cm
x 60 cm x 45 cm are taken at a distance of
4 m. The pit is covered with FYM @1
kg/pit and top soil. The seedlings are planted at the
centre of pit. Irrigate the crop regularly.
THULASI (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Indians are having age-old practice
of growing thulasi in their homes. The whole plant of thulasi is used for medicinal purpose. It is used for extraction of oil
and as an antibiotic and astringent. It is
effective against cough complaints. It is grown in well-drained soil
and cannot tolerate waterlogging. The
propagation is by seeds. The seeds are sown in nursery beds two months before
planting. Apply FYM /compost @ 2 kg/bed and mix well with soil. The seeds are sown at a depth of 1-2 cm and cover with soil or FYM. Irrigate us ing sprinkle hose. Since the
seeds are very small, mix with sand @ 4 times the quantity of seeds for sowing and the
seed rate is 500 g ha-1. The seeds germinate by
8 _ 12 days and are ready for
transplanting by 6 weeks after planting.
The field is ploughed to a fine tilth
and ridges are taken at a distance 40 cm. Apply FYM or compost @ 10t
ha-1. The 2 months old seedlings are transplanted at a spacing
of 30 cm. Irrigate the crop in alternate days up to 2 weeks after planting. After 2 weeks,
irrigate the crop @ 2 irrigations/week.
Remove the weeds 2 or 3 times. Earth up the field at 2 months after planting.
Harvesting can be done 90 _ 95 days
after planting. The above ground portion
is cut at a height of 15-20 cm from the ground level. Harvest the crop in a sunny day to
increase the oil content of the plant.
Keep the harvested produce in the field for 4-5
hrs to reduce the water content and weight of the produce.
KARINOCHI (Vitex negundo)
In Sanskrit it is known as Nurgundi.
The flush as well as the stem portion are used for medicinal purpose. It is effective against rheumatic and cough complaints and used
in several ayurvedic preparations.
Propagation and planting The soft wood cuttings are planted
in polybags filled with potting mixture and when they attain 3-4 leaves, the cuttings
are ready for transplanting.
Plough the field and pits of size 45
cm3 are taken at a distance of 3 m. One third
of the pit is filled with FYM @1 kg/pit
and top soil. The planting can be done by
onset of S.W. monsoon. Apply the
organic manure twice a year. From second year
onwards up to 10th year after planting
the stem and leaves can be harvested at regular intervals
KATTARVAZHA (Aloe vera)
Kattarvazha is known as kumari in Sanskrit. The leaves are used for
medicinal purpose. It is grown well in
open areas receiving good amount of sunlight. The
suckers are used for propagation. The
field is ploughed to a fine tilth and the suckers
are planted at a spacing of 45 cm x30 cm. Apply FYM or compost @ 5t
ha-1 at the time of
land preparation. The leaves can be
harvested from the bottom of the plants, months after planting. After each harvest apply FYM along with earthing up. The harvesting
of leaves can be done up to 3 years at 2 months
interval. The side suckers can be used as planting material. ARROW ROOT (Maranta arundinacea)
Rhizomes are used for the production of
starch. Starch grains are small and easily digestible. Hence it can be used as food
for infants. It has also medicinal value against dysentry. Propagation DANTAPPALA (Wrightia tinctoria)
Dantappala, known as Vettuppala in
Tamil and Ivory wood in English has much importance in both Ayurveda and
Siddha medicines. It is very effective medicine
for the dreadful skin disease psoriasis. Besides it is used in sexually transmitted
diseases (STD), dysentery and also used in seminal weakness, hence it is known as Indra-java.
It is a deciduous tree growing at a height of 5m with Ivory wood colour. Climate and Soil
The tree is well distributed in
Western Ghats, Deccan, parts of Gujarat and Konkan areas. Well drained forest soil and
laterite loamy soils are suitable for its growing.
Propagation
It is propagated through seeds.
The seeds can be collected from the trees during
August-September. The matured
pods having 30-40cm length, containing 40-50 seeds are harvested and dried. The
fibrous tuft of the seeds has to be removed and
again dried. The seedlings can be raised
in polybags containing potting mixture and will be ready to transplant after three months
of growing. The seedlings are transplanted at a spacing of 5mx5m in pits of size of
60 cm x 60 cm x 45cm covered with
farm yard manure @ 2kg/pit and top soil. Irrigate the plants regularly till it establishes.
Mulching the plant in early stages is found to be good. Dantappala oil prepared from the
leaves of this plant is used for curing psoriasis.
Preparation
Mature leaves plucked from the trees
will be crushed immediately and exposed to sunlight in fresh coconut oil in the ratio
of 1kg dantappala leaves and 1kg coconut oil for psoriasis and 500g dantappala leaves:
1kg coconut oil for dandruff and pre-mature greying. The exposure of leaves to
sunlight may be repeated for three days
consecutively till the coconut oil will turned into deep
violet colour. The filtered preparation can be
used for upto two months. The Ivory wood harvested after 15 years of planting can
be used for good indoor furnitures.
BRAHMI (Bacopa monnieri)
Brahmi is used as a memory booster and nerve tonic. It is a safe cardiac
stimulant. Brahmi is used in a variety of ayurvedic preparations like
Brahmigritham, Saraswatarishtam, Brahmathailam etc. It grows in moist and marshy areas. It comes up well on borders of water
channels, wells and irrigated fields. It is suited for
wet lands and marshy places in Kerala. It is propagated vegetatively through
vine cuttings. Three nodded cuttings are used for planting.
Cultivation
It can be grown in any type of soil
but cannot tolerate waterlogging. Seeds
are used for propagation. The seeds will be ready for harvest by Jan - Feb. They are
dried under sun and stored. The seeds are dipped in water for 12 hours before sowing in
the nursery. The treated seeds are sown on sand and started germination on 2 weeks
after sowing. Seedlings are transplanted to polybags at 2 leaf stage and kept under
shade. The seedling can be transplanted to the
field by the onset of South West monsoon.
The harvesting can be done from 7-8 years after planting. About 20kg heart wood is
obtained on an average from a single plant. The seeds will be obtained from the second
year of planting.
Varieties
Ajagandhi and Vasika
transplanted in the main field. FYM @ 10t ha-1 is applied at the time of planting.
Cuttings are planted at a spacing of 60 cm x 30
cm. Irrigate the crop at an interval of
4 days. The crop can be harvested 2
years after planting.
The leaves can be collected one year after planting. The roots are harvested
two years after planting and it is better to
harvest in December- January. After the harvest
the roots are washed in water, dried and can be stored in air tight steel containers upto
five months without quality deterioration. Average yield is 10-11t whole plant /ha.
Propagation
The fruits mature by December-January.
The seeds are extracted from the fruit
and dried under sun. The seeds are dipped in water for 6 hours and are sown in
furrows. Mulch the furrows with dried leaves. The seeds will germinate within 15 - 20 days
after planting and they are transplanted
to poly bags at 5 - 6 leaf stage. 2 months old seedlings are used for field planting.
Cultivation
It can be propagated by seeds and
vegetatively by cuttings.Cuttings are more economical.
It is propagated vegetatively by rhizomes. Healthy disease free rhizomes with at
least one germinated sprout is the planting
material. Small pits at 50 cm x3 0 cm spacing on the seed bed are taken and plant seed
rhizome with germinated sprout facing upwards.
Cover the rhizome with FYM and mulch the bed with leaves or straw. Weeding is done 2 or
3 times along with earthing up and mulching. The crop matures in 7 months. Drying
of leaves is the indication of maturity. Dig out rhizomes without damage. Remove the
dry leaves and roots. The cleaned rhizomes are either marketed or dried and
stored.
Dantappala oil
The field is prepared by ploughing and shallow beds of about 5 cm deep
are prepared to maintain the moist condition during the crop growth. Two-three
nodded healthy disease free vine cuttings are
planted at a spacing of 20 cm x10 cm in the field. Apply farmyard manure @10 t
ha-1 at the time of field preparation. During crop
growth period wet condition should be maintained by providing irrigation. Weeding is done two
times along with slight raking of soil
during the first weeding. The optimum stage for harvesting is five months after
planting. Harvesting is done by uprooting the
whole plant and by cutting the plants above ground level. Replanting is to be done if
harvested by uprooting. When harvested by cutting regrowth takes place from nodes above
soil. Apply farmyard manure after each harvest. Subsequent harvests can be done at
three months interval. Three cuttings can be taken in a year depending on growth and can
be continued up to two years after which it is replanted. The marketing is done in
fresh form as well as after drying depending on the fluctuation of price in the market.
The fresh form is marketed immediately after harvest. The harvested produce is
washed and dried under shade. The dried material can be stored up to 6 months without
damage in air tight containers. The weight of
herbage is reduced to 1/4th of the fresh weight
after drying.
Citation:
Kerala Agricultural University. 2011.
Package of Practices Recommendations: Crops.
14th Edition. Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur. 360p.