Cultivation

Cultivation

    Soil
    The plant is hardy and grows on a wide range of soils and under varied climatic conditions. However, partially shaded, well-drained fertile soils with evenly distributed rainfall or places with assured irri¬gation are ideal. A deep, loamy soil rich in humus and nutrients, in the tropics, is said to be the best for optimum oil production. The crop requires a soil pH of 5.5-6.2.

    Climate
    Patchouli prefers a warm and humid climate and flourishes well in places with fairly heavy and evenly distributed rainfall, ranging from 150-300 cm/year. A temperature of 24-28°C and 75% average atmospheric humidity is reported to be ideal. It grows successfully up to an altitude of 800 to 1050 m above MSL.

    Land preparation
    The main field is thoroughly by using harrow and disc. Nematicides like Furadan at the rate of 20 kg/ha (3% a. i.) is mixed well into the soil a few days before transplanting. The plot is then laid out into ridges and furrows. The ridges should be 20-25 cm high and 18-22 cm broad, with 60cm row-to-row distance. The beds should be irrigated a day before transplanting.

    Propagation
    Patchouli is propagated through cuttings. The leaves can also root under intermittent mist and adventitious plantlets can be obtained from these leaves.

    Nursery raising
    Since the crop is highly susceptible to nematode attack, it is advisable to adopt phyto-sanitary measures at the nursery stage itself. Polythene bags are filled with well-heated sand which can be made by passing steam through it for about one hour. If this is not practicable for a grower, the sand should be treated with a suitable nematicide like Furadan (3% a.i) at the rate of 20 kg/ha.
    Shade is essential for raising a nursery and it can be raised at any time of the year. Stem cuttings from 9-month-old branches of 10-12 cm length, consisting of 4-5 nodes especially with the terminal bud and a crown of 2-3 leaves are quite suitable. The basal end of the cutting should be neatly cut in oblique from just about 1 cm below the node. Treatment with 1500 ppm IBA to the basal end encour¬ages rooting. The cuttings should then be planted in seed-pans, nursery-beds or in polythene bags with the help of a dibbler at a spacing of about 10 cm. Aeration, partial shade and regular watering are essential for early rooting. The plants should be removed from the shade about 10 days before transplanting. The cuttings take about 30-35 days for rooting in the nursery and, in about 8-10 weeks, they are ready for transplanting.

    Transplanting
    The rooted cuttings are transplanted to the main field at a spacing of 60 cm x 60 cm transplanting in August-October gives about 90% establishment. Crops can also be raised by direct planting of the cuttings in the main field. For this, 15-20 cm long cuttings are required. In order to have better establishment, 2-3 cuttings are planted per planting point. During the early stages, partial shade and sufficient moisture are essential. Cuttings planted at an angle give better results com¬pared to those planted erect. When there is a scarcity of cuttings, single-node cuttings can also be raised, but the initial rate of growth of these cuttings is slow and the percentage of success is lower.

    Manures and fertilizers
    Patchouli requires rich soil. If the soil is of low fertility it should be supplemented with suitable doses of fertilizers. About 12 t/ha of FYM is added while preparing the main field and is mixed well. At the time of transplanting, normally a basal dose of 25 kg N, 50 kg P205 and 50 kg K2O/ ha, is given in the form of urea, super phosphate and muriate of potash. Thereafter nitrogen is applied in 5 split doses after every harvest, in such a way that the crop receives the first dose just after the harvest and another about 2 months later. In total150 kg/ha/yr of N is applied to the crop.

    Irrigation
    After transplanting, the plants should be watered every day for 3-4 days and subsequently on alternate days for 10-15 days. By this time, the seedlings will have established well and thereafter irrigation once in every 3 days will be sufficient. Patchouli needs evenly distributed rainfall and, hence, artificial irrigation is necessary in areas where rainfall is scanty, to obtain good yields.

    Inter culture
    The crop may require weeding after about six weeks of transplanting and one hoeing after each harvest. During the first 2 to 3 months, the field should be kept weed-free. Pre-emergence spray of herbi¬cides, Diuron (2 or 3 kg/ha), Simazine, effectively control weeds with low phytotoxity.

    Growth regulators
    Foliar sprays of Triacontanol (0.05%), auxin (0.25%) + cytokinin or phenol compound (3 ppm) at 2-weekly intervals or 2,4-D (0.5%) at 4-weekly intervals were found to enhance plant growth and yield with the auxin/cytokinin mixture being the most effective. It is reported that Kinetin treatment (0.5 x 10¬-4) was effective in improving growth and increasing oil-yield.

    Intercropping
    Patchouli is a shade loving plant. It can be grown as an intercrop with coconut, areca nut, rubber, coffee, banana and other plantation crops.

Last modified: Tuesday, 3 April 2012, 11:23 AM