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Health Tips
Medical ‘Money’
Plants
Dr. RAJASEKHAR N. BAMS,CRAV,MD (AYU)
Global awareness about the medicinal plants has
pushed everybody towards thinking of growing medicinal
plants commercially. And this is one of the major area in
this ‘Natural product era in bringing large foreign
exchange. India is one of the biggest exporters of
medicinal and aromatic plants and species (about 1.9 lakh
tonnes/ Year worth of Rs. 700 crores of foreign exchange).
It is estimated that there are about 9,000
species of medicinal plants in India in big geographical
area with large biodiversity. But it is feared that
because of unplanned usage and industrialisation, many of
the plant species may become extinct even before their
identification! Therefore it is must to have medicinal
herbal gardens and gene banks besides their commercial
cultivation to protect out green wealth’.
About 63 species are grown in India. In 2
million hecture and yelding 2.3 million tonnes/ hectare,
worth of Rs. 4,5000 crores/yr and supplying 20% of world’s
production. Also for medicinal and pharmaceutical needs,
the production is worth of Rs. 86 crores/yr.
Some of the plants which can be grown
commercially in west coast area (Parashurama Kshetra) are”
Pepper, Cardamom, Clove, Nutmeg, Ginger, Cinnamonsp,
Garcinia sp, Withania sp, Rauwolfia Sp, Turmeric, Vettiver,
Mentha, Lemon grass, Cimbopogen sp etc.
Cultivation methods of:
Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia Serpentina) is given
below:
Local name : Sarpagandhi, Garuda
Patala, Palala garudi
Need : About 4 tonnes of root worth of
Rs. 4, 30, 000/yr.
Morphology : Perenial under shrub of 50 cm height with
white/pink flowers and tuberous soft tap root of 6 cm.
Diameter with longitudinal fissures.
Climate : Hot and humid tropical regions with
sufficient rain fall in open or partial shade (Banana,
Mango/Papaya) Temperature 10-300C
Soil : Sandy alluvial loam to redlateritic
loam having acidic to neutral reaction.
Propagation:
1.
Seed: Ripen seeds are collected from June to
October (Viability 6 months) seeds are sown in raised beds
at a depth of 1 cm in nursery in lines 10 cm apart with 5
cm distance from seed to seed. 5.5kg of seeds sown in 0.05
hectare area is sufficient for the seedling to plants one
hecture. Germination takes place within 3 weeks.
2.
Root cuttings: Cuttings of large tap roots and
lateral secondary roots of 2.5 to 3c.m. are selected.
Planting is done in holes of 5 cm deep in monsoon and
covered with 2.5 cm. To 5 cm top layers of soil cuttings.
They sprout within 3 weeks of planting if good moisture is
maintained.
3.
Stem cuttings : 15-20 cm within 3 inter nodes are
selected in July-Aug. and kept moist. It roots within 60
days and then transplant in main field (success rate
40-65%).
Planting: Seedlings of 7.5 to 12cm selected form
the nursery bed. Field should be irrigated once in a
fortnight in dry and hot seasons and once in 2 month in
winter.
Manure : Organic manures @ 25-30 tonnes/ha
Intercroping : Soyabeen in Rainy season and Garlic/Onion
in the winter season
Harwesting : After 2-3 years, thick tap roots and fibrous
secondary root along with root bark are taken with the
help of digging forks (An irrigation is recommended to
soften the soil)
Drying and storage : After air drying, roots are broken
onto small pieces of 15-20 cm and packed in air tight
containers. Stored in cool and dry place and exposed to
air regularly to avoid mould formation and insect damage.
Yield : Up to 2 tonnes of dried roots/ ha.
Plant Protection : Susceptable to disease especially to
leaf spot, die back disease etc and pests like
caterpillars. This can be prevented or fought
successfully with the help of organic pesticides.
Note :
1.
It should be noted that eventhough India is one of
the biggest suppliers of medicinal plants, the quality is
very poor. Hence efforts should be taken in each and
every area to improve the quality.
2.
Before starting to cultivate these plants necessary
and adequate informations should be gathered about
cultivation and marketing.
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