Standardization of Seedling Raising Techniques of Medicinal Herb Kalmegh

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) is an important medicinal herb in India and it is widely used as hepatoprotective, immunomodulator, anti–inflammatory, anti–malarial, anti-diarrhoeal and with beneficial effect on respiratory and cardiovascular systems. In the present study good nursery raising practices were standardised. We did preliminary standardized during 2007 followed by detailed study in the successive two years (2008–2009). Optimum numbers of seedlings for transplanting were produced with 3g seed/m row spaced at 15 cm distance and soil application of 4kg FYM m2. Nursery beds under shade-net supported better seedling growth. A shed net with 75% light reduction helped in early production of maximum number of seedlings ready for transplanting which would be helpful in preparedness for early monsoon. Lower soil temperature under shade–net might be one of the reasons for better plant stand and growth. Shade also reduced temperature fluctuation within day time at 1–3 cm soil depth. Mulching of nursery beds helped in conservation of soil moisture for longer period and one irrigation could be saved compared to no–mulching. Hence, nursery beds may be prepared under the 75% shade–net between last week of May and beginning of June with afore mentioned seed rate, spacing and nutrient dose followed by mulching to produce more than 600 and 750 seedlings ready for transplanting from 1m2 area by 35 and 42 days after sowing, respectively.

Keywords: Agro–shade–net, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Herbal Drug