Ashwagandha Crop Farming Sowing to Harvesting All Information

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Ashwagandha Crop Farming Sowing to Harvesting All Information

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a prominent medicinal herb in traditional Indian medicine. Known for its therapeutic properties, it is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. “Farmer Phone Company” provides comprehensive information on Ashwagandha Crop Farming, from sowing to harvesting.

Ashwagandha Cultivation States in India:

Ashwagandha is primarily grown in the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

Soil and Climate:

Ashwagandha thrives in sandy loam or light red soils with good drainage. The ideal pH range for soil is between 7.5 to 8.0. It prefers a semi-tropical climate with a temperature range of 20-35°C. Ashwagandha requires a dry climate with an annual rainfall of 500-750 mm

Top 10 Ashwagandha Varieties:

1. Jawahar: High yield, resistant to common pests.
2. Pusa Ashwagandha: Suitable for north Indian plains.
3. Rasashwadi: High alkaloid content.
4. NMITLI-101: Disease-resistant.
5. NMITLI-118: Early maturing variety.
6. WS-20: High root yield.
7. Arka Ashwagandha: High biomass production.
8. Rakshit: Tolerant to drought.
9. Poornima: Suitable for rainfed areas.
10. AICRP: High root extract content.

Ashwagandha Seed Rate & Propagation:

The seed rate for Ashwagandha is about 2-3 kg per acre. Propagation is typically done through seeds. Seedlings are raised in a nursery and then transplanted to the main field.

Ashwagandha Sowing Time:

The best time for sowing: is June to July (Kharif season) or February to March (summer season).

Ashwagandha Nursery Management and Transplanting:

1. Nursery Bed Preparation: Prepare raised beds of 1m width.
2. Seed Sowing: Sow seeds in rows 10 cm apart.
3. Irrigation: Light irrigation after sowing.
4. Transplanting: Transplant seedlings when they are 6-8 weeks old, maintaining a spacing of 30 cm x 60 cm.

Ashwagandha Planting in the Field:

1. Land Preparation: Plough the field thoroughly to remove weeds.
2. Spacing: Maintain 30 cm between plants and 60 cm between rows.
3. Transplanting: Transplant healthy seedlings with roots intact.

Ashwagandha Manures and Fertilizers Dose Per Acre:

• Organic Manure: Apply 8-10 tonnes of farmyard manure (FYM) during field preparation.
• Fertilizers: Nitrogen (N): 20-30 kg/acre, Phosphorus (P2O5): 20 kg/acre, Potassium (K2O): 20 kg/acre.
• Application: Apply half the nitrogen and all phosphorus and potassium at planting. The remaining nitrogen should be top-dressed 30 days after planting.

Ashwagandha Crop Irrigation:

1. Initial Irrigation: Light irrigation immediately after transplanting.
2. Frequency: Irrigate at intervals of 10-12 days during dry periods.
3. Critical Stages: Ensure adequate moisture during flowering and fruit set stages.

Ashwagandha Crop Weed Management:

1. Manual Weeding: Perform hand weeding 2-3 times during the growing season.
2. Mulching: Use organic mulch to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.
3. Herbicides: Apply pre-emergence herbicides like Pendimethalin for effective weed control.

Ashwagandha Crop Top Insects and Control:

1. Whitefly: Use yellow sticky traps and Spray Insecticide Acetamiprid 20% SP and Flonicamid 50% WG.
2. Aphids: Use yellow sticky traps and spray insecticide. Imidacloprid is 17.8% SL, and Acetamiprid is 20% SP.
3. Cutworms: Use pheromone traps, biological control, and Spray Insecticide Chlorpyriphos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC.
4. Leaf Miner: Use systemic insecticides Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda Cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC
5. Red Spider Mite: Spray miticides Propargite 57% EC
6. Thrips: Use blue sticky traps and Spray Insecticide FIPRONIL 18.87% SC
7. Root Grubs: Apply entomopathogenic nematodes and neem cake.
8. Armyworms: Use biological insecticides, and spray insecticide Novaluron 5.25% + Indoxacarb 4.5% SC
9. Mealybugs: Spray neem oil, and Profenofos 40%+Cypermethrin 4% EC

Ashwagandha Crop Top  Diseases and Control:

1. Leaf Spot: Use copper-based fungicides, Copper OxyChloride 50% WP
2. Powdery Mildew: Apply sulfur-based fungicides, Tebuconazole 10% + Sulphur 65% WG
3. Root Rot: Improve drainage, use Trichoderma viride.
4. Damping-Off: Use well-drained soil, apply fungicides Mancozeb 75% WG
5. Wilt: Use disease-free seeds, crop rotation, and apply fungicides Metalaxyl 8%+Mancozeb 64% WP
6. Blight: Apply mancozeb, and maintain field hygiene.
7. Downy Mildew: Use appropriate fungicides Azoxystrobin 18.2% w/w + Difenoconazole 11.4%  SC
8. Rust: Spray fungicides Propiconazole 13.9% w/w + Difenoconazole 13.9% EC and resistant varieties.
9. Anthracnose: Apply chlorothalonil, avoid water stress.
10. Alternaria Leaf Spot: Use resistant varieties, apply fungicides Mancozeb 75% WG

Ashwagandha Crop Harvesting and Yield:

1. Harvesting Time: 150-180 days after sowing when leaves dry and berries turn red.
2. Harvesting Method: Uproot entire plants, and dry roots in the shade.
3. Yield: The average yield is 300-400 kg of dried roots per acre.

Summary:

Ashwagandha Crop Farming (Ashwagandha Cultivation in India) is a lucrative venture for farmers due to its high demand in the pharmaceutical industry. By following proper cultivation practices, including appropriate soil and climate selection, variety selection, and effective management of pests and diseases, farmers can achieve high yields and quality produce.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is Ashwagandha and why is it important?
Ans- Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb widely used in Ayurvedic medicine for its therapeutic properties.

2. Which states in India are ideal for Ashwagandha cultivation?
Ans- Ashwagandha is primarily grown in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and other states.

3. What type of soil and climate is best for growing Ashwagandha?
Ans- Ashwagandha thrives in sandy loam soils with good drainage and a semi-tropical climate.

4. What are the top varieties of Ashwagandha recommended for cultivation?
Ans- Varieties like Jawahar, Pusa Ashwagandha, and NMITLI-101 are popular for their high yield and disease resistance.

5. What is the recommended seed rate and propagation method for Ashwagandha?
Ans- The seed rate is 2-3 kg per acre, and propagation is done through seeds.

6. When is the best time to sow Ashwagandha seeds?
Ans- The best time for sowing is during the Kharif season (June-July) or summer season (February-March).

7. What are the key irrigation practices for Ashwagandha cultivation?
Ans- Initial light irrigation is crucial, followed by irrigation every 10-12 days during dry periods.

8. How can farmers manage weeds in Ashwagandha fields?
Ans- Manual weeding, mulching, and the use of pre-emergence herbicides like Pendimethalin are effective.

9. What are the common pests affecting Ashwagandha?
Ans- Whiteflies, aphids, and cutworms are common pests; use specific insecticides for control.

10. When and how is Ashwagandha harvested?
Ans- Harvest Ashwagandha 150-180 days after sowing when leaves dry and berries turn red.

Author –

Durgaprasad Kewte