cultivation of medicinal and aromatic herbs in Himachal

[atulmudgil]

Dear All,

We have in our posession 30 acres of land near Solan in HP. The land is at approx. 5000 ft above sea level and extremely fertile towards growing herbs with medicinal and aromatic properties -processing them further for by products.

We presently seek prfoessional consultancy in this field. The ideal person/ company must have expert knoweldege and hand on experinece in herb identification , cultivation , processing and marketing in this area of work.

Kindly contact the undersigned URGENTLY on mobile no. 98100 19797 or send your profile on email : dolfin_ss@yahoo.com

Regards,
Atul

[suryanarmada]

Dear Sir

Most of the temperate medicinal plants can be grown. Some are

Aconitum chasmanthum

Angelica glauca

Artemisia vulgaris

Atropha belladona

Berberis aristata

Digitalis purpurea

Dioscorea deltoidea

Heracleum candicansi

Matricaria chamomillate

Nardostachys jatamansi

Picrorhiza kurroa

Podophyllum hexandrum

Rheum emodi

Selinum vaginatum

Swertia chirata

Taxus bacata

Thymus serphyllum

Viola serpens

Valeriana wallichi

For further details contact

Directorate of Extension Education,
YS Parmarthival University of Horticulture and Forestry,
NAUNI,
SOLAN – 173230

Regards
Surya Narmada

[kirti s]

Hello sir

This is one of the medicinal crop known to suit Himachal pradesh

Kutki
PICRORHIZA KURROOA AUT.NON. ROYLE FAMILY - SCROPHULARIACEAE

Kutki is a small nearly hairy perennial herb with a elongate creeping stolons from root stock; leaves spathulate, serrate; flowers white or bluish in dense terminal spicate raceme; dried rhizome cylindrical, deep greyish brown in colour and longitudinally wrinkled with annulations at the tip. It is found in the Himalayas, from Kashmir to Sikkim at an elevation of 2,700-4,500 m.

COMMON NAMES: Katuka, Kuru, Katvi, Katurohini & Katki

LOCATION:

Hills of Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim & Arunachal Paradesh.

PART USED: Root and Rhizome

CULTIVATION:

SOIL AND CLIMATE

Sandy textured loam soil is observed best for the cultivation of P. kurrooa. Site rich in organic carbon and high moisture content is needed for its cultivation. Further partial shade areas (Canopy of small shrubs) is found good for maximum growth and productivity. It can be cultivated between 1800 m to 2800 m. altitude.

NURSERY RAISING AND PLANTING

Seeds sown in upper soil surface in Styrofoam seedling trays and covered with thin layer of moss increases the germ-inability of seeds. Moss layer retain moisture and avoid water splash of the seeds sown. This condition enhanced the seed germinablity upto 52 and 58% at lower altitude inside polyhouse. Seeds are sown during November-December in polyhouse at lower altitude, during March-April in beds at middle altitude (2200m) and during May in alpine area. Seedlings raised at lower altitude are transplanted in nursery beds at least for 6 months by raising seedlings at lower altitude in winter and transplanting them at higher altitude during spring.

About 44,000 plants areusually planted plantation in one acre of land. Intercropping with 'Saunf' can give better yield, which provide suitable microclimate to growing plants of P. kurrooa by providing moisture for long time under its canopy. Intercropping with economically viable plants for the area viz. potato and Foeniculum vulgare (sanuf) were most suitable. Further intercropping with Digitalis purpurea is suggested.

Vegetative propagation was done successfully through stolon segments by simple method viz., water dip treatment and use of high moisture trenches for rooting of stolon cuttings which can be easily used for cultivation purpose by local growers. Top segments of stolons were found more suitable for multiplication. Cuttings were kept under soil in trenches or covered with moss with high moisture content, 90% rooting was observed in top segments after 2 weeks.

MANURE

Manuring is recommended during winter months or before transplanting. In general, maximum manure 60-70 q/acre is required at lower altitude and 40-46 q/acre at middle altitude to achieve best production for three years. However, at sites rich in organic matter only 18.04 q/acre manure is required for three years.

IRRIGATION

Beds needed excessive watering/irrigation to decrease the motality rate. At early developmental stage of seedlings in beds, as well as stolon cuttings need watering after every 24 hrs at lower altitude (1800 m. ) Generally watering should be done at two days interval during winter months.

WEEDING

Generally weeding is done at weekly interval during first year of cultivation and at monthly interval during the second and third year at both the altitudes. It also depends on the condition of soil and presence of weeds.

HARVESTING/POST-HARVESTING

After completion of reproductive phase plants become mature for harvesting and contains good percentage of active contents. Time of completion of reproductive phase differs with the difference in altitude where the plants are growing. Generally the plants in alpine areas complete their reproductive phase during the month of September-October while the plants at lower altitude complete their reproductive phase during the month of September. During senescence of serial parts plants should be harvested to achieve the high quantity of active content. To take the maximum amount of bio-active ingredients harvesting should be done during the months of September at lower altitude while in the months of October at higher altitude.

YIELD

The average yield is 450 kg/ha and maximum 612 kg/ha from high dose of forest litter treated field.

ECONOMICS

The rate for a kg. of rhizome /roots ranges from Rs. 100-150. (YEAR-2001)

NOTE: MARKET FOR MEDICINAL PLANTS IS VOLATILE AND THE ECONOMICS MAY VARY.

INSTITUTE TO BE CONTACTED:

HIMACHAL PRADESH KRISHI VISHWA VIDYALAYA, PALANPUR (H.P.)

HIGH ALTITUDE PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
RESEARCH CENTRE, POST BOX 14,
HNB, GARHWAL UNIVERSITY,
SRINAGAR-, (UTTARANCHAL)


Kirti

[satyanarayan gupta]

Hi Atul,

Sorry for delay.U can go for cultivation of below mentioned crops as they are suitable for Himachal climate.

Aonla,Belladona,Foxglove,Liquorice,Asparagus, Datura, Honey plant,Podophyllum,Sweet flag, Sweet worm wood,Aconitum,Chiryata, Kuth,
Kutki and Daru haldi.

If u want to grow particular type of crop,please ask me for its detail.

Regards
Satya.