| Family |
Acanthaceae |
| English Name |
Hara-Chiretta, Kalamegh, Creat |
| Malayalam Name |
Kiriyattu, Nilaveppu, Karakanniram |
| Tamil Name |
Nilavembu |
| Kannada Name |
Nelabevu |
| Telugu Name |
Neelavemu |
| Hindi Name |
Kiriyath, Kakamegh, Kalpanath, Mahatita |
| Sanskrit Name |
Bhunimbah, Kiratatiktah |
| Trade Name |
Hara-Chiretta, Kalamegh, Creat |
| Part Used |
Aerial parts, Root |
| 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 |
Yield may vary from 1.25 - 4.0 tonnes of dried herb per hectare. |
| Economic of cultivation |
Cost of cultivation: ₹15,000 per hectare
Market price: ₹35/kg (as on July 2019) |
| Quantitative quality standards |
1. Foreign matter (other plant parts, soil,
stone, sand, dust, organisms and their
parts): Nil
2. Ash: Not more than 12 %.
3. Acid-insoluble ash: Not more than 1.5 %.
4. Ethanol-soluble extractive: Not less than
12 %.
5. Water-soluble extractive: Not less than 19
% |
| Description |
Slender herbs to 50 cm high; branches 4-angled, glabrous. Leaves simple, opposite, to 9 ×1.5 cm, elliptic, acuminate at apex, base acute, decussate, glabrous. Panicle terminal and upper axillary, glandular-hairy. Calyx lobes 3 mm long, linear, hairy, united at base. Corolla about 1.5 cm long, pink or white with purple dots, tube ventricose, hairy, upper lip entire, midlobe
of lower lip broader than laterals, acute, glandular-hairy. Ovary puberulus, style hairy. Fruits 15-25 mm (length) × 2-3 mm (width), oblong, acute, hairy; retinacula spoon shaped; seeds 8-12, glabrous. |
| Agro technology/Cultivation practices |
The plant prefers hot and humid climate with good sunshine. It can grow in less-fertile soil.
Planting-stock production
1. Seed propagation: Natural regeneration is through seeds. Flowering is
during September-October and the mature fruits are available during
November to February. Seeds are small (55,860 seeds weigh one kg) and
they remain dormant for five to six months. For better germination,
seeds are soaked in water for 6 hours before sowing. For planting in one
hectare, planting beds of 10 × 2 m is tilled, soil clod broken, organic
manure (about 3-6 tonnes of farm yard manure) added and the land leveled
in May. Seeds are broadcast-sown and covered with thin layer of soil and
compost. Beds are covered with mulch and irrigated regularly using fine
spray. Seeds germinate in 6 to 20 days. Mulch is removed after
germination to avoid etiolating of plants. The beds are irrigated
profusely for 10 to 15 days.
2. Vegetative propagation: Roots are formed from basal nodes on contact
with soil. The root bearing branches can also be used for planting.
3. Field planting: The seedlings are transplanted in June at a spacing of
45 - 60 cm (between plants) and 30 - 45 cm (between rows). Beds need to
be irrigated after planting. The crop is maintained without weed-
competition.
(Note: The usual cultivation practice is direct broad casting of seeds)
4. Manuring/Fertilization: Manure/fertilizer application is done ideally
after soil/plant analysis.
5. Irrigation: Although irrigation is not essential, it will benefit the
crop during drought.
6. Pest and diseases: No serious pests/ diseases reported. |
| Harversting |
Herb biomass becomes maximum in 90 - 100 days; thereafter, leaves start shedding. Crop planted in May-June is ready for harvest by the end of September when flowering has initiated. |
| Processing |
Andrographolide is high in leaves at the time of flower initiation. As the active principles are present in all parts, the entire plant is harvested,
tied into small bundles, shade-dried and powdered. |
| References |
NA |
