Hello Sir
It is possible to cultivate patchouli commercially in various locations of the country having congenial climate.
Factors such as number of farmers ready to take up the crop for better supervision, availability of perennial irrigation source and marketing arrangements should be taken into account for site selection and commercial promotion of patchouli.
It can also be cultivated as inter crop with other perennial crops such as coconut, arecanut etc. where light intensity is 25–50% lower. It is a good catch crop.
Variety: There are no established varieties of Patchouli under cultivation. In the model project, the cultivar/strain selected from natural flora by Kelkar Scientific Research Center (KSRC), Mumbai is recommended. This selection is reported to be suitable for production of best quality patchouli essential oil.
Planting Material
Quality planting material of a chosen cultivar / strain suitable for superior grade essential oil is a prerequisite for successful patchouli cultivation.
Two types of planting material are available viz., (a) Rooted cuttings (b) Rooted and hardened tissue culture plants.
For better biomass yield and quality oil, tissue culture plants can be used.
In this model, rooted cuttings have been considered.
Around 5% mortality during establishment in the field is assumed.
Patchouli nursery is raised in shade by planting 10–12 cm long terminal shoot-cuttings at 10cm × 10cm spacing during rainy season. The nursery beds are kept under moist conditions.
It gives 85–90% sprouting in a fortnight. These are ready for planting in about 6 to 8 weeks.
Spacing and Plant Population
The recommended spacing is 30 cm x 30 cm for open cultivation under both drip and conventional irrigation.
Number of plants accommodated would be around 35000 per acre leaving allowance for irrigation channels, bunds and working area. In some parts, it is also grown at 60 cm x 60 cm spacing.
For intercropping in partial shade, 45 cm x 45 cm spacing is recommended accommodating 14000 plants per acre. In the present model 30 cm x 30 cm spacing with a plant population of 35000 per acre has been considered.
Land Preparation
After land clearing, ploughing for four times is recommended, considering the long crop duration and repeated crop harvesting. Farmyard manure (12 t/acre) is to be mixed well with the soil at the time of last ploughing.
Application of Neem or pongamia cake along with FYM is recommended for control of soil borne pathogens, nematode etc.
Planting Time
Planting can be done at any time of the year except during hot months like April, May or October. Once planted, patchouli can be maintained for three years. Under well managed conditions good leaf yield is obtained for three years.
Irrigation schedule
Patchouli can be cultivated in two ways depending on the method of irrigation followed.
Under conventional method, irrigation is to be provided at least twice a week.
Water logging must be avoided. Number of irrigations per year will be around 60 (no watering during monsoon) with each irrigation lasting for 3 hours.
Under drip system of irrigation, drippers are spaced at a distance of 45 cm from each other with a discharge rate of 2 litres of water/hour.
Irrigation for 30 minutes per day is adequate.
In hot and dry season it should be up to a maximum of 60 minutes in two installments.
u may contact
National Medicinal Plants Board
Department of AYUSH
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India3rdFloor, AYUSH Bahwan B–Block, G.P.O. Complex,
I.N.A.,New Delhi-110023
Dr. Kavita Tyagi
01124651828
Mrs. Lily Mitra
011-24651300
