Cultivation and Management of Rauvolfia serpentina

Cultivation and Management of Rauwolfia serpentina : 

Cultivation and Management of Rauwolfia serpentina

Introduction : 

Introduction Rauwolfia serpentina Benth (Apocynaceae) is one of the most important native medicinal plants of India. The root of this plant have been used in the treatment of hypertension or as a sedative and tranquillizing agent. Its indiscrimate uprooting from wild source , have put ban to the export of this drug by government of India.

Vernacular Names : 

Vernacular Names Hindi        Chandrabhaga, Chota-chand, Sarpagandha   English     Rauwolfia / Indian snakeroot  Latin       Rauwolfia serpentina    Sanskrit      SarpaghandhaTamil        Chevanamalpodi, Sarpagandha  Kannada     Keramaddinagaddi Telgu          Patalaguni, Patalagandha, Sarpagandha Malayalam Churannavilpori, SuvapavalporiyamMarathi       Harkaya,  Harki, Hadaki/Adakai Assamese   ArachorititaBengali     ChandraKannada     SutranabhiChinese     Lu fu mu

Serpentina Plant : 

Serpentina Plant Rauwolfia serpentina  is an evergreen, perennial, glabrous and erect under shrub of height upto 60 cm. Its roots are tuberous with pale brown cork. The Leaves of the plant are in whorls of three, lanceolate or obovate, bright green in color. Flowers are in irregular corymbose infloresecence with white or pink color. Fruits are Drupe, single or didymous, shining black when fully riped.

Geographical Distribution : 

Geographical Distribution Natural Cultivated Found in the foot-hills of Himalayan range, up to the elevation of 1300-1400 m. and almost  all over the country. It is used in traditional medicine in India, China, Africa and many other countries. Cultivated on small scale by the forest departments of Bihar , Assam and Meghalaya. Private growers have small areas under the plantation in Uttaranchal , Karnataka and Kerela.

Chemical Constituents : 

Chemical Constituents The major alkaloid present in root, stem and leaves of the plant is Reserpine  varies from 1.7 to 3.0 %. The root barks has more than 90% of the total alkaloids. The minor alkaloids present in the plant are Ajmalicine, ajmaline, isoajmaline, ajmalinine, rauwolfinine, reserpiline,reserpinine,sarpagine, serpentine,yohimbine.  The root contains ophioxylin , resin, starch and wax. Ajmaline

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Agro-techniques of Rauwolfia serpentina

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Activities for Agro technology Development Selection of Germoplasm Herbarium samples Insitu and exsitu collection Botanical determination Selection of cultivator Transplant Assays Transplantation/Adaptation Cultivation distance Soil analysis and fertilization Propagation Sexual (germination) Asexual (rooting) Biotechnology Setting of crops Area, density (plants/area) Culture practices Plague/diseases control Harvest/Post-harvest Agro technology monograph

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Factors Affecting the quality of raw medicinal plants Genetic makeup Environmental conditions Collection and cultivation practices, Harvest and post-harvest processing Transport and storage practices. Contamination by microbial or chemical agents during any of the production stages can also lead to deterioration in quality

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WHO Guidelines for cultivation and harvesting of the crop of medicinal plant Select proper site for cultivation of a particular medicinal plant. Select correct time for cultivation. Select proper variety. Adopt organic farming. Prune and collect only desired mature part(s), without harming the mother plant. Do not collect the whole population; leave at least 30%–40% for regeneration.

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Use proper equipment for cutting, shearing, peeling, and so on. Start drying process immediately after collection; ensure complete drying before packing and storage. Dry aromatic herbs and delicate fruits in shade, and do not dry two or more herbs in close vicinity. Sift the herbs with appropriate sifter to remove dust and other undesirable matter. Store and pack the herbs in proper manner to minimize loss on storage and packaging.

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STEPS INVOLVED IN AGROTECHNOLOGY

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Soil and Climate Sandy alluvial loam to red lateritic loam or stiff dark loam, rich in organic content are suitable for its commercial cultivation. As the drug prefers a tropical or sub-tropical belt , it requires monsoon rain averaging between 250-500 cm. The annual temperature ranging between 10⁰C - 38⁰C .

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Land Preparation The land is cleared of weeds and ploughed to a depth of 30cm . Raised beds are made , which should contain one- third quantity of well-rooted FYM and two- thirds of fine soil. Well-rooted FYM at 25-30 t/ha is added during land preparation.

Mode of Propagation : 

Mode of Propagation Seed propagation is the best method for raising commercial plantation. The other methods for propagation are By root cutting By stem cuttings By root stumps

By seeds : 

By seeds Seed germination in Rauwolfia is highly variable. It is reported to vary from 5 to 30 percent. The ripe seeds collected from the beginning of June to the end of October retain their viability for 6 months. Direct sowing of the seeds in the field has not found successful and hence seedlings are raised in nursery. The nursery is preferably located in shaded area and kept moist throughout the germination period. Seedlings are ready by mid-July for transplanting. seeds nursery field

By Root Cutting : 

By Root Cutting Nearly 5 cm long root cutting are planted during spring season closely in nursery beds. The beds are kept moist through watering. The cuttings begin to sprout within 3 weeks. These can be planted in field during rainy season after 8 to 10 cm rains are received. The seedlings are transplanted at 45 cm row to row and 30 cm plant to plant distance. Root cutting method of propagation

By stem cuttings : 

By stem cuttings Hard wooded stem cutting measuring 15 to 22 cm are closely planted during June in the nursery beds where continuous moisture is maintained. After sprouting and giving out roots, these plants are transplanted in the main field at given spacing. Plant grown through stem cutting method

By Root Stumps : 

By Root Stumps About 5 cm of roots, intact with a portion of stem above the collar, are directly transplanted in the field having irrigation facilities.  This method gives about 90-95% success , sometimes even 100%. Such plants transplanted in May-July into irrigated fields and becomes well established by the end of September. Root stumps mode of propagation

Manure and Fertilizers : 

Manure and Fertilizers The use of organic manure , leaf mould and compost has been recommended to increase the quantity of nutrients in the soil and improve the damage. The plant respond better to chemical fertilizers than to organic manures. Nitrogenous and phosphate containing fertilizers have found to induce more vegetative growth when used in combination with organic manure. Organic manures like, Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Vermi-Compost, Green Manure etc. may be used as per requirement of the species. To prevent diseases, bio-pesticides could be prepared from Neem  Chitrakmool, Dhatura, Cow's urine etc. Rauwolfia grown on un manured land Rauwolfia grown on fertilized land

Interculture : 

Interculture Rauwolfia, if grown in areas which receive rainfall of 150 cm or above well distributed throughout the growing season could be irrigated once a month. It need regular irrigation where temperature rise high combined with low rain fall during rainy season. It is suggested that 15 to 16 irrigations, amounts to irrigation at 20 days interval in summer and at 30 days interval in winter.   In order to maintain the satisfactory development of roots about 2 weeding are necessary during the monsoon and one hoeing at the end of the growing season(December). Matured rauwolfia after proper irrigation

Pests and Management : 

Pests and Management Root knots appear as galls of various sizes. this could be observed by stunted growth of plant, etiolation and decrease in leaf size in arial portion. Application of 3G Carbofuran and G. Phorate will help to control them. A pyralid caterpillar(Glyphodes vertumnalis) causes appreciable damage to the leaves. They could be controlled by spraying 0.2% Roger. Cockchafer grubs(Anomala polita) attack the seedling about 2cm below the hypocotyl, resulting in their drying up. To control the grubs , mix phosphate with the soil at the time of nursery preparation.

Diseases and Control : 

Diseases and Control Leaf- spots caused by Cercospora raowolfiae results in dark brown spots and defoliation. To control this disease Dithane Z-78 or Dithane M-45 should be sprayed in early June. Afternaria tenuis attacks the leaves, resulting in minute brownish or dark- coloured circular spots. For the prevention the crop should be sprayed with 30g of Blitox in 10lt of water. Mosaic is a common disease of this crop , could be avoided by strict selection of seedlings at nursery stage.

HARVESTING/ POST HARVESTING : 

HARVESTING/ POST HARVESTING Root yields at different age and season have showed that 18 months duration crop produce maximum root yield. The harvesting period coincides with the shedding of leaves during early autumn season next year. At this stage, the roots contain maximum concentration of total alkaloids. At harvest the root may be found to go up to 40 cm deep in the soil. After digging the roots are cleaned, washed and cut into 12 to 15 cm pieces for convenience in drying and storage. The dry roots possess up to 8-10 per cent of moisture. The dried roots are stored in polythene lined gunny bags in cool dry place to protect it from mould. Harvested roots of serpentina

YIELD : 

YIELD On an average, root yield vary from 15 to 25 q/ha of dry weight under irrigation depending upon soil fertility, crop stand and management.  Some cultivators reports that the average yield is  2700 to 3300 kg dried roots/ha and 8–10 kg seed per hectare.

Serpentina as Medicinal Herb : 

Serpentina as Medicinal Herb High blood pressure: Half a teaspoon of its powder taken thrice a day is effective in relieving hypertension.   In insanity: The rauwolfia plant is highly beneficial in treating insanity. One gram of powdered root can be taken twice a day with 250 ml of goat’s milk.  In insomnia: Rauwolfia is a well-known remedy in treating insomnia because of its sedative properties. It is non-stimulating and should be given in doses of 0.25 grams to the patient at bedtime for sound sleep.  In Hysteria: Rauwolfia is useful in treating hysteria. One gram of powdered root can be administered thrice with milk. Treatment should be continued till a complete cure is obtained.   Other uses:  It is used as an antidote to the bites of poisonous reptile like snakes. It is also used to treat dysentery and other painful infections of the intestinal canal. It also relieves itching.

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Marketed Products of Rauwolfia serpentina Dyspnea Insomnia Hypertension

Serpentina Side Effects : 

Serpentina Side Effects Serpentina minimum therapeutic doses may give rise to nasal congestion, lethargy, drowsiness, peculiar dreams, vertigo and gastro-intestinal upsets; sometimes dyspnea and urticarial rash may occur. Higher doses may cause flushing,insomnia, bradycardia, occasionally severe mental depression which may lead to suicide. Cases of asthenia and edema have also been reported. Side effects of reserpine are usually transient and quickly disappear on reducing the dosage or discontinuing treatment.

Economics : 

Economics Profitability (A) Cost of Production(per annum) Per annum Working Expenditure Rs. 5,77,500pm×12months 69,30,000 Interest on Loan @ 15% Gross 68,75,000.Loan 80% i.e. Rs 55,00,000 8,25,000 Interest on Working Capital 1,58,400 Gross 17,32,500 Bank Limit 1,32,000 Interest @12% on 1,32,000 Total Depreciation 5,98,400 TOTAL COST OF PRODUCTION 85,11,800 (B) Profit per Annum TOTAL SALES 1,17,61,200 LESS COST OF PRODUCTION (-)85,11,800 NET PROFIT 32,49,400

Recent research : 

Recent research The rauwolfia root is an effective blood-pressure lowering agents, acting on the central nervous system.    Very high doses used for hypertension, rauwolfia alkaloids cause a depletion of norepinephrine, resulting in a tranquilizing effect.  Many  researchers discovered that only Rauwolfia alkaloids and clonidin do not have an undesirable influence on balance.   Rauwolfia root has proven highly effective (89%) in cases of chronic hives. Rauwolfia root has occasionally proven effective in cases of malnutrition that were unresponsive to high protein or high-energy diets.

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CONCLUSION Medicinal plants are a National resource, the use of which has continued in an unbroken tradition in India across two millennia. Given their continuing social & growing economic importance as a bio-cultural resource, on one hand, and threats to their survival on the other, it makes it imperative for the Government to also see these vital flora as a national treasure which must be protected and conserved. So thing sort of a National policy on medicinal plants conservation is urgently needed. This must be followed by the immediate implementation of effective programs in line with the national policy.

References : 

References Current status and future strategy for development of medicinal plants sector in Uttaranchal, India by Uppeandra Dhar*, Sumit Manjkhola, Mitali Joshi, Arvind Bhatt, A. K. Bisht and Meena Joshi in journel of CURRENT SCIENCE, 956 VOL. 83, NO. 8, 25 OCTOBER 2002 PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES FOR HARNESSING OPPORTUNITIES IN MEDICINAL PLANTS SECTOR IN INDIA by Harbir Singh in LEAD Journal (Law, Environment and Development Journal) vol 2 Agro Techniques of Medicinal Plants BY: Dr. Ravindra Sharma pg no 43-54

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Agro-techniques of selected medicinal plants vol 1, National Medicinal Plants Board, Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, 2008 MEDICINAL PLANTS by P. P. Joy, J. Thomas, Samuel Mathew In Baby P. Skaria KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Research Station 1998. Ethnomedicinal Survey of Alagarkoil Hills (Reserved forest), Tamil Nadu, India S. GANESAN*, N. RAMAR PANDI AND N. BANUMATHY Centre for Research and P.G. Department of Botany, Thiagarajar College (Autonomous), Madurai – 625009, Tamil Nadu, India. Electronic Journal of Indian Medicine Volume 1 (2007), 1–19