Author: Shailesh Kumar, Sweta Mishra and A K Singh
Inroduction: Sarpgandha, belongs to family apocynaceae, scientific name of this crop is Rauvolfia serpentine. One of theimportant medicinal herbs, it has been used in Indian indigenous system of medicine from very old time. A large number of active phtochemicals/ alkaloids have been isolated from the roots of this plant such as ajmalicine, ajmaline, ajmalinine, rescinamine, reserpine, serpentine, serpentinine etc.
Plant part used for medicinal purpose: mainly grown for root as root is main source of alkaloids.
Agro-techniques for cultivation of Sarpgandha
Soil and climate
The plant requires slightly acidic to neutral soils for good growth with medium to deep well drained fertile soils. Clay-loam to silt-loam soils, rich in organic content are suitable for its commercial cultivation. It grows well in frost-free tropical to subtropical situations under irrigation.
Propagation: The propagation crop can be possible through seed, stem cutting and root cuttings. Seed propagation is the best method for raising commercial plantation, however By root cutting: Nearly 5 cm long root cutting are planted during spring season closely in nursery beds containing well matured FYM, sand and saw-dust. The beds are kept moist through watering. The cuttings begin to sprout within 3 weeks. These can be planted in field during rainy season after 8 to 10 cm rains are received; the seedlings are transplanted at 40 cm row to row and 30 cm plant to plant distance. In this manner, an estimated 100 kg of root cuttings are found sufficient for planting one hectare area.
Nursery preparation: Seed sowing in nursery start in 1st week of May, approximately 8 kg of seed is required for one hectare plantation. About 500 sq m seed bed area is sufficient for raising seedlings enough for planting one hectare land. The seeds sown, 2-3 cm apart in rows in shallow furrows during. The furrows are then covered with a fine mixture of soil and FYM. Keep the beds just moist by light irrigation. Seedlings are ready by mid-July for transplanting. Immediate irrigation is required for better stand of crop. Rauvolfia is long duration (18 months) and slow growing crop particularly in the initial stage; thus different intercrops have been tried.
Manures, bio-fertilisers and bio-pesticides: The medicinal plants have to be grown without chemical fertilizers and use of pesticides. Organic manures like, 15 tonnes/ha Farm Yard Manure (FYM). To prevent diseases, several plant based extract can be used as bio-pesticides which could be prepared (either single or mixture) from Neem (kernel, seeds & leaves), Chitrakmool, Dhatura, Cow’s urine etc.
Irrigation: During monsoon or rainy season no need of irrigation, however irrigation after interval of 20-25 days in summer and 30 days after in winter is recommended. Total 15 to 17 irrigation is required during cropping seasons of this crop, high rainfall area is suitable for this crop.
Weeding and hoeing: Weeding is also required during early growth stage, so initial 2-3 manual weedings and 2-3 hoeings in the first year is must for good harvest.
Harvesting and post-harvesting processing: for higher yield the harvesting or digging of roots is done after 18 months when shedding of leaves start, the concentration of active phytochemicals in root also remain high during this stage in root. The active principles or bioactive compound present in root and the concentration of alkaloid decide the quality and market price of root. After digging the roots are cleaned, washed and cut into small pieces (15 cm pieces) for convenience in drying and storage. The dry roots possess upto 8-10 per cent of moisture. The dried roots are stored in polythene lined gunny bags in cool dry place to protect it from mould.
Yield: The yield of root vary from 20 to 25q/ha under standard cultivation practices and management.
Address of author:
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
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