| Family |
Araceae |
| English Name |
Sweet flag, Sweet root, Gudwach |
| Malayalam Name |
Vashampa, Vayambu |
| Tamil Name |
Vashambu, Pullai-valathi |
| Kannada Name |
Baje, Athibaje, Naaru baeru |
| Telugu Name |
Vadaja, Vasa |
| Hindi Name |
Ghorbach, Safedbach, Bach |
| Sanskrit Name |
Bacha, Bhadra, Vacha |
| Trade Name |
Sweet flag, Sweet root, Gudwach |
| Part Used |
Rhizome |
| In Wild |
NA |
| Under Cultivation |
NA |
| Temperature |
NA |
| Rainfall |
NA |
| Farmers |
NA |
| Traders |
NA |
| Institution |
NA |
| Individually |
NA |
| State/Region |
NA |
| District |
NA |
| Nursery Information |
NA |
| Yield |
The Yield of rhizomes is 8-10 tonnes per hectare. |
| Economic of cultivation |
Expenditure per hectare: Rs.65,000/ha
Market price: Dried rhizomes - Rs.115-120/kg (as on July 2019) |
| Quantitative quality standards |
1. Foreign matter: Not more than 1.0 per cent
2. Ash: Not more than 9.0 per cent
3. Acid-insoluble ash: Not more than 1.0 per
cent
4. Alcohol-soluble extractive: Not less than
20.0 per cent
5. Water-soluble extractive: Not less than
14.0 per cent |
| Description |
Strongly aromatic semi-aquatic perennial herbs; rhizomes creeping, jointed, somewhat vertically compressed, 1.3-2.5 cm thick, pale to dark brown and spongy inside. Leaves narrow, up to 80 cm long, linear to narrowly ensiform, glossy bright green, apex acute, base amplexicaul; petioles sheathing for 20-50 cm. Flowers pale green, fragrant, arranged compactly on a sessile, cylindrical, 5-7 cm long spadix. Fruits (berries) green, angular, 3-celled, fleshy, containing 1-3 oblong seeds. |
| Agro technology/Cultivation practices |
1.Planting stock production: One year old rhizomes with 2-3 buds are best planting material.
2.Land preparation and Planting: Land is thoroughly ploughed 2-3 times, irrigate and again plough comparable to the land preparation for paddy. Sprouted rhizomes are planted at 30 x 30 cm spacing and 5 cm depth such that second line rhizomes comes in between rhizomes of first line (in alternate positions) leaving the leafy portion little bit above the soil so that the bud can be seen from outside. Around 2.5 tonnes of rhizomes are required for planting in one hectare. As the growth rate is very fast, sprouts are visible on the second day of planting.
3.Manuring/ Fertilization: Apply compost/farmyard manure and all nutrients based on plant/ soil analysis.
4. Irrigation: The river or canal banks where the land is saturated with water is very suitable for its growth. The initial level of water standing in the field should be 5 cm and later increased to 10 cm. Irrigation can be avoided in the rainy season, however, if there is prolonged dry spell it must be irrigated at an interval of 2-3 days.
5.Diseases and pests: Mealy bugs and leaf spots have been reported in this crop. In earlier stages of infestation by mealy bugs, cut or prune the infested part. If mealy bugs are exposed, it may be possible to reduce its population by spraying high pressure water at several day intervals. Avoid unnecessary applications of Nitrogen fertilizers. Destroy ant mounds in the field to avoid further movement of mealy bugs. |
| Harversting |
The crop is ready for harvesting 1 year after transplanting. Maturity of the crop is judged by the occurrence of yellowish leaves followed by drying out of leaves. The field should be partially dried only leaving sufficient moisture for uprooting the plant. In case of large scale cultivation, rhizomes may be removed by passing the plough. The uprooted rhizome is cleaned by washing with water and cut into size of 5-7.5 cm length and fibrous roots removed. The cut rhizomes are dried by spreading under the shade so that the amount of oil present in it is not harmed.
|
| Processing |
NA |
| References |
NA |
