Climate and soil

Sandy loam to clay loam soil in moist tropical regions is suitable for the cultivation of this species.

It prefers shady and moist places.

Agro-technique

Nursery technique

Raising propagules

Best method for raising the plants is to use vegetative cuttings of length 10 cm, which should have two nodes.

These cuttings may be planted in polybags or directly in mist chamber for rooting.

The potting mixture should contain sand, soil, and FYM (farmyard manure) in equal quantities.

Best time for raising poly pot plants is March–June in mist chambers.

Vegetative cuttings may directly be planted in the field in July.

Planting stock can also be raised through seeds, which may be sown in polybags during April– May immediately after collection.

Scarified seed germinates after seven days of sowing in the nursery.

Propagule rate and pretreatment

About 2 kg seeds are required for raising planting stock for 1 hectare plantation. Soaking of seeds in water for 24 hours followed by mechanical scarification by rubbing seed coat with sand paper gives 95% germination.

op 3

Operculina turpethum

Planting in the field

Land preparation and fertilizer application

Land should be ploughed well followed by harrowing twice and planking for good aeration and drainage, since this species is susceptible to waterlogging.

About 2 tonnes of FYM per hectare is mixed in the soil during field preparation in June.

Transplanting and optimum spacing

Rooted cuttings or seedlings are transplanted in the well-prepared field at a spacing of 30 cm × 30 cm.

Thus, the optimum crop stand per hectare is 110 000.

Planting is done on ridges to avoid mortality due to waterlogging.

Intercropping system

Since the species is a shade-loving twiner and needs host for support, it can be planted as an under-crop in tree plantations or near hedges and shrubs.

Interculture and maintenance practices

As already stated, about 2 tonnes of FYM per hectare is mixed in soil during field preparation in June before the onset of rains.

No further application of any manure is required. Regular manual weeding is recommended after planting and after every 15-day interval.

Irrigation practices

During rainy season, irrigation is seldom required, but in dry spells, flood irrigation at an interval of five to seven days is given till December–January.

op 4

Operculina turpethum after two years of plantation

Propagation material

The plants can be raised by vegetative propagation as well as from seeds.

Stem cuttings having two nodes may either be planted directly in the field in monsoon (July) or may be rooted first in a mist chamber during March–June.

April–May is the best season for seed collection when fruits mature.

Harvest management

Crop maturity and harvesting

Crop duration is 10–12 months.

Best time for harvesting the roots, stem, and leaves is March–April when the plants begin to dry.

Post-harvest management

Freshly collected roots should be washed thoroughly with fresh water and dried initially in sun for two to three days, followed by drying in shade for the next 10 days till the moisture content reduces to 8%.

Chemical constituents

Turpeth contains 9%–13% resin, which is a mixture of α and β-turpethin, glycosides, and turpethin, besides coumarin, scopoletin, and sugars.

Yield and cost of cultivation

Root yield is about 1500 kg/hectare after 10 months.

Stems serve as a source of  future propagules.

Cost of in- puts for initial crop is Rs 50 000/hectare and it is Rs 25 000/hectare in following years, as the planting material is obtained from the previous crop.