MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

Harvesting and processing

Harvesting , processing and yield

 
The roots are harvested at 2-3 years after planting i.e., from 18 months onwards. The roots are dug out in winter (December) when the plants have shed their leaves, are richer in total alkaloid content than the roots harvested in August. Care should be taken to keep the root bark intact as the bark constitutes 40-56% of the whole root and has a higher alkaloid content. At harvest the root may be found to go up to 40 cm deep in the soil.
After digging, the roots are cleaned, washed and cut into 12 to 15 cm pieces for convenience in drying and storage. The dry roots possess up to 8-10 per cent of moisture. The dried roots are stored in polythene lined gunny bags in cool dry place to protect it from mould.

Yield
A yield of 2200 kg per hectare of air dried roots has been obtained from 2-year old plantation and 3300kg per hectare from 3 year old plantation, under irrigated conditions on sandy, clay loam soil.