HI
Shatavari is an indigenous medicinal plant used in Siddha and Homoeopathy medicines.
It is estimated that in India, more than 500 tonnes of shatavari roots are needed every
year for various medicinal preparations.
Soil
• Generally, the crop prefers lateritic, red loamy soils, with adequate drainage.
• Being a shallow rooted crop, it can be easily grown under such shallow and rocky
soils where the soil depth is hardly 20-30 cm.
Climate
• The crop survives under varied agro-climatic conditions ranging from temperature
to tropical hill regions.
• It can be grown in moderate hills like Shevroys, Kolli and Kalrayan hills and
medium elevations of Western Ghat hills under condition where the elevations are
between 800 to 1500 m above MSL. It tolerates drought as well as low
temperature.
Cultivation
Planting
• It is propagated by root suckers or seeds. For commercial cultivation, root
suckers are preferred over seeds.
• The soil is prepared well by digging up to 15 cm depth. The field is divided into
convenient sized plots and laid out into ridges at 60 cm apart.
• Well developed root suckers are planted on the ridges.
IRRIGATION AND INTERCULTURE
• The field is irrigated immediately after planting. It is continued at 4-6 days
interval until a month and thereafter at weekly interval.
• Frequent weeding is required during its early period of growth.
• Care should be taken to avoid any damage to growing shoots at the time of
weeding. Totally, about 6-8 hand weeding is needed to keep crop free of weeds.
• The crop being a climber requires support for its proper growth. For this purpose,
4-6 feet long stakes are used to support the general growth.
• In large scale plantation, the plants are trailed on brush wood pegged in alternate
rows.
Plant Protection
No serious pest and disease has been noticed in this crop.
Harvesting and Yield
• The roots come to maturity in about 12-14 months after planting depending upon
the soil and climatic conditions.
• A single plant may yield about 500 to 600 g of fresh root. On an average, 12,000
to 14,000 kg of fresh roots can be harvested from one hectare area which on
drying may yield about 1000 to 1200 kg of dried roots.
REgards
Ashwini