Aswagandha
(Withania somnifera Dunal.)

Uses: Aphrodisiac, tonic, diuretic and abortifacient. Used in the preparation of vital tonics

Parts Used: Root.
 
Active Ingredients: Withanine (Alkaloids and steroids)

Ayurvedic Preparations: Asgandhadi churna, asgandhadi rasayana, asgandharishta

Cultural Practices:

¨      Soil & Climate: Well drained sandy-loam to red soil having pH 7.5 –8.0. Average rain fall of 60-75 cm is best suited for rain fed crop

¨      Propagation: Seeds. Late kharif crop.

¨      Varieties: Jawahar Asgandh-20, Jawahar Asgandh-134

¨      Irrigation: Rain-fed

¨   Weed Management: One weeding and thinning at 25-30 days after sowing sufficient in sub marginal lands.

¨      Pest and diseases:Damping off, Seedling rotting and seedling blight: seed treatment with Captan @ 3g /kg of seed

¨      Yield: Seed: 50-75 kg/ha, Root: 300-400 kg/ha

¨      Post harvest: Crop is ready in 6 months.  The whole plant is uprooted and roots are separated out for cleaning, drying and grading