Medicina &aromatic plants-Important improve productivity and returns-Patchouli

[aromedindia]

1.Hot and humid climate better than dry and cool.Central,southern,western, eatern and north-east part better than northen part of country.Use well drain soil.
2. July-Oct. months best for planting.Earlier the better.Plants should be fully established before experiencing hot summer.
3. Plant rooted or poly bag plantlets.Direct planting of cittings in seed bed should be avoided.
5.Better to use organic manure,less fertilizer and apply 5-10qt/ha neem cake if available.Ensure good level of phosphorous in soil.Some time use of micronutrient will help if soil is suspected to be defficient.
6.Make 2-3 harvest in a yr.Harvest when leaves turn pale yellow (4-6months after planting/harvest), britle and start emating pleasent woody note(smell).Dry leaves at room temperature in thin layer and store fully dried leaves atleast for 20-30days before distillation.
7. Distill leaves for more than 10-15 hrs depending upon the rate of condensate.
8.Store oil in air tight container for a month before disposal/sale.
ECONOMICS:
1. A good mange crop should produce5-6 tones of dry leaf,yielding 125-150kg oil/ha.
2.Cost of cultivation may come to Rs.100000-150000/ha, excluding planting material cost.
3.Keep Rs.2500/kg oil base rate.In the last 8-10 months prices of Indian patchouli oil ranged from Rs.4000-6500/kg.
aromedindia@gmail.com

[kiran_mathew]

Sir,
please suggest me an intercrop to be planted in between the patchouli's to provide shade for them

* An intercrop which will provide good returns as well

[kiran_mathew]

Is organic tulsi good to be planted as an intercrop as shade for patchouli

[aromedindia]

How tulsi can be.Its short duration and will not grow taller than patchouli. And if not how it will shade patchouli.Pigeon pea, castor maize,dhaincha and other fast growing legume tres can be ideal.Shade is required mainly in hot summer months.
aromedindia@gmail.com