MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

Harvesting and yield

• The plant becomes ready for harvest in 90 days after planting. The leaves, fruits and stem are cut at ground level and transported to the drying yard (under shade) for drying. Care should be taken to harvest the leaves along with the fruits which otherwise tends to shatter.
  


• The herbage is dried under shade to retain the chlorophyll and hypophyllanthin. It takes 4-6 days for complete drying (at 10 per cent moisture). Frequent raking of the herbage is a must as otherwise, moulds and fungus may develop.


• An average yield of 5 ton fresh herbage/ha or 400 to 500 kg dry herbage/ha is obtained.