MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

Harvest, processing and yield

Harvesting and processing
i. Leaves, stem and seeds: For leaves, leaf stripping twice, first after 6 months and the second after 9 months of sowing can be taken. A third leaf stripping is also obtained when the whole plant is harvested. After the plant is harvested, it is dried in the shade.

ii. Roots: The crop is harvested 12 months of sowing. The plants are cut about 7.5 cm above the ground level and dried for the stem, leaves and seeds. The field is then copiously irrigated and when it reaches proper condition for digging, it is ploughed and the roots are collected. The roots are washed well and dried in the shade.
For seeds, it has to be collected from matured pods 2 to 3 months before the harvest of the whole plant. The aerial part of the plant between 7.5cm and about 25 cm above the ground level is taken as the stem for the purpose of marketing.

Yield
Under irrigated conditions, about 4t/ha of leaves, 1.5t/ha of stem and 1.5t/ha of roots, on air dried basis may be obtained. Whereas, under rainfed conditions, the yield will be about 2 t/ha of leaves and 0.75t/ha each of stem and roots on air dried basis. The total alkaloid content in the leaf varies from 0.15 to 1.34 % of which the average content of Vinblastine is 0.002% while that of Vincristine is 0.005%