Nepali Shatavari Plants

Product Description

Cultivation :  Nepali Shatavari Plants is common throughout the tropical & subtropical regions, specially central India. Also, it is found up to 1500 meter from the ground level in subtropical Himalayas. Naturally, the plant is xerophytic and opts the semi-arid to subtropical, cool atmosphere.

Climate & soil :  Soil - black, well fertile & drained soil type is ideal for the cultivation. But, it can be cultivated in loose & medium black soil. Climate - crop responses nicely to hot & tropical climate. The plant prefers yearly average rainfall of 600 to 1000mm or less, of which 85 per cent is received throughout July - September. A perfectly dried fertile sandy-loam to average black soil, with a pH of 6 to 8 is the most suitable for its farming with staking support. This kind of plant can be grown in both open field and under shade, but very high moisture levels resulting root rotting.

Propagation material : Both root & seeds stumps can be utilized for propagation. Although, seeds are preferable because of high yield that makes up for low germination rate in farming. Seeds may be gathered from March - May once their shade changes from red to black.

Agriculture Technique

Planting :

Irrigation & Intercropping :

Intercultural & maintenance practices :  The balance 2/3 N is used in two similar split doses throughout September as well as in late February. The fertilizer is transmitted within the rows and blended in soil followed by watering process, in case of dry soil. This plant at the beginning grows gradually for two months, which keeps inter-row space indeed empty, allowing convenient weed growth. It is required to carry out hoeing and weeding operations so as to keep the land free of weeds for initial 60 days period. After 60 days, this plant grows enough to cover the inter row distances and prevents growth of weed.

Disease & Pest Control :  No serious pests, insects, and disease have been accounted in this crop.

Plant Protection : No serious disease & pest has been recorded in this crop.

Harvesting :  Crop maturity & harvesting:-
The crop matures in 1 1/2 years after sowing. Rabi season, i.e, November to December, is an ideal time for cuttings tuberous roots when the above-land parts begin turning pale yellow colours. The crop, when harvested in 1 1/2 years, yields about 4 to 5 tones per hectare, while harvesting after 1 year 8 months yields about 6 tones per hectare of tubers along with 35 kilogram hectare of seeds.

Yield & Cost of Cultivation :  The tuberous root yields 15% to 20% of dry material by removing of outer wall. An average shade-dried tuberous root production of 4 to 5 tons/hectare is gotten from 1 1/2 years old plants under practical conditions. Comprising field preparation, cost of planting material, nursery rising, farmyard manure, cost of transplanting, peeling, harvesting, and processing for market, etc. The calculated yield of 1 1/2 years old crop of Shatavar is 4 to 5 tones per hectare, which can bring net returns of approx. Rs 1 to 1.25 lacs per hectare.

Post Harvesting   :  The harvested roots are completely washed preferably in flowing water, then, woody threads of inner side are removed with the split of roots. The thin root barks are removed by scraping with the help of a knife or incising them. In the conventional methodologies, the roots are also put in a basket of bamboo on a pot of boiled water for 5 to 10 minutes in order to make possible simple removal of thread & root bark. But this technique is indeed not needed when freshly gathered roots are peeled off. After that, this kind of roots are dried in the shade for 8 to 10 days. The fresh roots lose nearly 90 per cent of their weight after peeling as well as drying. If the peeling gets delayed, it becomes very much difficult afterwards. Value addition of root powder increases sale, marketability and price. The roots get damaged within three to four months if threads in not instantly removed.

Nepali Satavar Meterial available :