MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

Cultivation

Soil
It is practically a desert plant .Faster growth of the plants is observed in soils which have moisture retaining capacity. An average soil which has good drainage capacity is suitable for its cultivation.

Climate
The crop prefers a warm dry climate and hence quite suitable for dry regions. The plant is susceptible to the frost and hence such situation should be avoided for growing this crop.

Propagation
Guggul can be propagated by seeds and vegetatively through stem cuttings. However as the propagation through vegetative mean is easy, it is preferred over seed propagation.

Planting
The land is prepared well in advance of rainy seasons by 2.3 ploughing and laid out into plots of convenient sizes. Pits of size 0.5 x 0.5 m (0.5 m2) are dug at the spacing of 3x3 m. They are filled with FYM and top soil. The rooted cuttings are planted in the pits during the rainy season. As the plant grows they are trained properly by cutting the side branches.

Fertilizer application
The crop has not shown good response to fertilizers expect to low level or nitrogen fertilization. Hence urea or ammonium sulphate @ 25/50 g per bush is given twice a year before irrigation.

Irrigation
Light irrigation during summer season is required.

Inter cultivation
Weeding and hoeing in the early stages of growth and stirring of soli around the bushes twice in a year is beneficial to increase the growth of plants.