growing ashwagandha
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growing
ashwagandha or cultivation of ashwagandha
the complete process |
| Cultivation |
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 Soil And Climate
[ growing
ashwagandha ] |
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| Grows well in sandy loam or light red soil, having pH 7.5-8.0 with good drainage. It can be cultivated between 600-1200 m altitudes. The semi-tropical areas receiving 500-750 mm rainfalls are suitable for cultivation of this rained crop. The crop requires dry season during its growing period. Temperature between 200c to 350c is most suitable for cultivation. Late winter rains are conducive for the proper development of the plant roots. |
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Land Preparation
[ growing
ashwagandha ] |
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| Ashwagandha is usually grown in fields, which are not well covered by the irrigation systems. The field on which food crops cannot be taken profitably for the above reason may be used for Ashwagandha
cultivation. The soil of the field selected for ashwagandha cultivation is
well pulverized by ploughing, disking or harrowing. The field may be then
levelled. |
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Nursery Raising & Planting
[ growing
ashwagandha ] |
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| The crop can be sown either by board casting or in lines. The seeds are usually sown about 1-3 cm deep in June- July in nursery. A light shower after sowing ensures good germination. About
500-750 gm seeds are sufficient for 1-hectare field. Seeds can be treated, with Thiram or Indofil or Dithane medicinal plants – 45 (@ 3 gm/kg seed), before sowing to protect seedlings from seed borne diseases. The seedling after 25-35 days after sowing can be transplanted in the field maintaining 60*60 cm
spacing between the plants & the rows. It may be noted that since ‘Asagnadh’ is a rainy season Kharif crop, the time of sowing is decided by date of arrival of
monsoon in that area. |
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Thinning and weeding
[ growing
ashwagandha ] |
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The seeds sown by broadcasting or in the line in furrows should be thinned
by our hand at 25-30 days after sowing to maintain a plant population of
about 30-60 plants per square meter (about 3.5 to 6 lakh plants/hectare).
The plant density to be used may depend on the nature and fertility of the
soil. On the marginal land the population is kept high. If some fertilizer
(N:P:K::20:20:0) is applied then the population should preferably be kept
at a lower level. One hand weeding at an early stage is sufficient to
enable the Ashwagandha plants to take over the growth of weed which get
suppressed by its smothering effect. |
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Manure & Irrigation
[ growing
ashwagandha ] |
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The crop of Ashwagandha does not require heavy doses of Manure/Fertilizer.
In Madhya Pradesh, where it is grown on commercial scale no fertilizers
are applied and the crop is cultivated on only residual fertility. Studies
at Indore Research Station have showed no response of nitrogen and
phosphorous on its root yield.
Light shower after transplantation ensures
establishment of seedlings.
There is no need of irrigation if rainfall is at regular intervals.
Excessive rainfall/water is harmful to the crop. Life saving irrigations
may be applied, if required. |
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Harvesting &
Post Harvesting
[ growing
ashwagandha ] |
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The plants start flowering and bearing fruits
from December onwards. The crop is ready for harvest in January-March
at 150 to 180 days after sowing. The maturity of crop is judged by
drying out of leaves and yellow red berries. The entire plant is
uprooted for roots, which are separated from aerial parts by cutting
the stem 1-2 cm above the crown. The roots are then either cut
transversely into small pieces (7 to 10 cm) or dried as it is in the sun. Berries
are hand plucked separately. They are dried and crushed to take out the seeds.
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The dried roots, entire or transversely cut into smaller pieces, have to be further cleaned, trimmed and graded. The
roots are beaten with a club, which removes adhering soil and breaks
off the thin, brittle lateral rootlets. Lateral branches, root crown
and stem remains on roots are carefully trimmed with the help of knife.
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growing ashwagandha
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