Cultivation technology of shatavari: An important medicinal plant

Introduction:
The plant commonly known as satamauli, satavar, shatavari etc, scientific name is Asparagus racemosus belongs to family Liliaceae. Plant is a perennial, hardy, prickly climber excessively branched found throughout the tropical & subtropical parts of India. Recently the demand of shatavari root has increased in market as it is used in number of ayurvedic formulations. The powder forms of roots are also being sold in market under different brand name. The ayurvedic leading companies like Dabur, Patanjali, etc purchase the roots of shatavari for ayurvedic formulation. The demand and rate of nepali shatavari is high compare to other shatavari. Farmers can earn in lakhs by adopting the cultivation of this crop. The root is used for medicinal or ayurvedic formulations. The roots are dugout collected and cleared after 16 months or after maturation. The quality of root and presence of active ingredients decide the market value of this crop. It is found throughout India and also cultivated both for medicinal & decorative purpose. Plant part used for medicinal purpose: Tuberous Root, the active ingredient present in root are main source of drug, dried root powder are also used directly for cure of several diseases. The crude drug also used for increasing the secretion of milk and improving appetite in lactating women. The major bioactive constituents of Asparagus are a group of steroidal saponins. The powdered roots contain 2.95% protein, 5.44% saponins, 52.89% carbohydrate, 17.93% crude fiber, 4.18% inorganic matter, and 5% oil.
Soil and climate
Crop can be grown in variety of soils including medium black, lateritic, loamy soils, rocky soils etc with adequate drainage facility. It can be easily grown in sub-tropical & Sub-temperate agroclimatic regions.
Soil preparation:- Deep ploughing (30cm) followed by 2-3 harrowings are required, land is cleaned and leveled. The ridge (40 cm broad) and furrow are prepared for planting. Planting is done on ridge and furrow is used for irrigation.
Propagation: – Through Seeds, 400-500g seeds required for one acre.
Nursery preparation and transplanting: Seed sowing in nursery start in month of April, nursery raised seedlings were planted on ridge at plant to plant distance of 60 cm. Crop mature in 16 months, due to climbing nature of crop some support is needed when plant attained a height of 50cm. Vegetative propagation is by division of rhizomatous disc present at the base of the aerial stem.
Weed removal: – Manual weeding during months of early growth stage is required especially during monsoon season. 2-3 weeding in a month required.
Irrigation requirement: First irrigation must be given just after transplantation of seedlings. No need of irrigation during month of rainy season, the rate of two irrigations in winter season and one per month in summer season.
Manures, fertilizers and plant protection: Generally biofertilizers are recommended for growth of shatavari. The use FYM, vermicompost and other green manure are recommended for cultivation of this crop. Manure is mixed with soil during field preparation. Inorganic fertilizer can be used for cultivation og this crop. Biopesticide preparation from Neem (kernel, seeds & leaves), Chitrakmool, Dhatura, Cow’s urine etc can be used as preventive measure. As such no major disease attack was observed.
Harvesting and Post Harvest management: The plants are harvested after 16 months or after maturity. The roots are dugout collected and cleared. The roots are peeled off immediately after harvesting, cut into small pieces and dried in shade. It is observed that in case the roots are not peeled off within a few days, it is a bit difficult to remove the skin as such. In such a condition the roots are kept in boiling water for about 10 minutes, followed by cold-water treatment to facilitate peeling.
Yield: After mature the plants we can obtain 12000 to 15000 kg. fresh roots/acre.
Address of authors:
Dr. Shailesh Kumar (Assistant Professor, CBS&H, RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar-848125, India)
Dr. A K Singh (Professor, CBS&H, RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar-848125, India)
Dr. Sweta Mishra (Associate Professor, COB, SVPUA&T, Meerut-250110