At this stage second ploughing
is done followed by two cross harrowings to break the clods.
Convenient sized beds with suitable irrigation channels are
then laid out.
Propagating Material
The plant is propagated by seeds, stem cutting
and root cutting.
Propagation from seed
Before planting, the seeds should be soaked
in 5% NaCl solution. The seed floating on the surface should
be discarded and those which sink should be selected. The
pre-treatment of seeds is done with some fungicide such as
ceresin or captan. Before sowing the seeds are soaked in water
overnight.
Planting
The soaked seeds are dibbled about 2cm deep
in lines 7.5 inches apart. It is estimated that about 5.5
kg seeds sown in 0.05 ha give adequate number of seedlings
to plant one hectare.
Propagation by root cutting
The large taproot as well as lateral secondary
rootlets are employed for preparing the cutting of 2.5 - 5.0
cm long and generally not exceeding 12.5mm in diameter.
Planting
It is done horizontally in holes 5 cm deep
at the advent of the monsoon 100kg root cutting are needed
to plant one hectare.
Propagation by root stump
Approximately 5cm of the root with a portion
of the stem above the collar is planted in May-June in irrigated
fields.
Propagation by stem cutting
Stem cutting 5-7 cm long with 3 internodes
are considered ideal. Hard woodcuttings are certainly better
than soft woodcuttings. Treating cutting for 12 hrs with B
indol acetic acid (30ppm) initiates rooting within a period
of 15 days.
Transplanting
The seedlings are transplanted during the
monsoon. At this time seedling which have attained a height
of 7.5-12 cm are carefully picked up from nursery beds to
avoid injury to the long delicate roots. The seedlings are
immediately transplanted in rows 60 cm x 30 cm apart. A hole
15-20 cm deep is made with a pointed stock and the seedling
is placed in it without bending the main root and the soil
is then gently but firmly pressed. The field is irrigated
soon after.
Irrigation
At regular intervals the transplanted seedling
are irrigated till they establish. Where irrigation facilities
exist the plant are irrigated twice a month during hot dry
season and once a month during the winter.
Manuring
The use of organic manures leaf mold and compost
has been recommended to increase the quality of nutrients
in the soil and improve the drainage. Nitrogenous fertilizers
induce more vegetative growth effect on the root. It is better
to apply a basal dose of 30 kg/ha of k2O and P2O5 and 20kg/ha
of N before planting. Two top doses of N should also be applied
during the growing season every year.
Weeding
About two weedings are necessary during the
monsoon and one hoeing at the end of the growing season in
order to maintain satisfactory development of roots.
Harvesting
The duration of crop is one to one and half
years. Roots are harvested during the winter months as alkaloidal
content is considered to be high during this period. Care
is taken to keep the root bark intact as the bark has higher
alkaloidal content. It is essential to dry the roots before
storage. It is advisable to dry the roots further so as to
contain less than 8% moisture to avoid the fungal attack.
Under the present system only top roots are selected for processing.
Disease and Pests
R.Serpentina is prone to infection by different
groups of fungi as:
Leaf spot - (Cercospora rauvolfiae)contol by spraying Dithane
Z-78 or dithane M-45
Target leaf spot - (Corynespora cassiicola) captan sprayed
aso-25% solution in water in
early june.
Leaf blotch-(Cercospora serpentinae)
Anthracnose- (Collectorichum gloesporiodes)Dithio cubamertes
- fermate, dithane & teriate.
Dieback- (C.dematium)Dithane- m-45(0.2%)
Wilt- (Fusarium oxysporum)
Pest- Caterpillar, Spingid moth, Cockchafer grub, Black bug,
Lab lab pod bug, wingless grasshopper, weevil.
Yield
The plant raised from seeds give the maximum
yield of roots varying widely from 1 to 4 Kg/plant. The average
yield per hectare harvested after 15 months & 36 months
has been worked out to be 2000 Kg and 36000 kg respectively.
Economics
| Yield/ha |
1000 kg/ha(dry) |
| Sale price |
Rs.50/kg |
| Expenditure/ha |
Rs.12000 |
| Net profit |
Rs.38000 |
|
