Attempts at field cultivation of Withania somnifera (L.) Dun. and the assessment of yield and quality of the obtained raw material
Grażyna Obidowska
grazyna_obidowska@sggw.plZespół Ekotoksykologii KGHiBR, SGGW, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-766 Warszawa (Poland)
Ala Sadowska
Zespół Ekotoksykologii KGHiBR, SGGW, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-766 Warszawa (Poland)
Abstract
In subtropical regions, especially in India, the root of Withania somnifera (L.) Dun. (Withaniae radix) has been used since immemorial time as an adaptogen: an energizing, immunostimulating drug. The aim of this study was the assessment of yield and quality of the raw material of Withania somnifera (L.) Dun obtained in several variants of field cultivation in moderate climate conditions. We compared the yield of roots, herb, and withaferine A obtained from plantation started by sowing the seeds directly to soil and from plants sown in March and then transplanted from greenhouse to field conditions. Moreover, we tested 10 methods of cultivating plants sown in greenhouse and transplanted to soil. The options varied with spacing, harvesting time and mulching with black plastic foil. It was concluded that Withania somnifera (L.) Dun. might be successfully grown for herb and roots in moderate climatic conditions. Even from the “directly to soil” started plantation the yield of roots was significantly higher than reported in commercial plantations in India. The transplanted plants achieved about 3-fold higher yield and the best results were observed in two methods of cultivation: F/I/9 (plastic foil mulching/ 1 harvesting time in September/ spacing 9 plants/m2) and F/II/30 (plastic foil mulching/ 2 harvesting times: July, September/ spacing 30 plants/m2). More advantageous seems to be the first method, because of much better quality of roots, comparable yield of herb and lower consumption of time and costs. Withaferine A yield is, however significantly higher in the F/II/30 option.
Keywords:
Withania somnifera (L.) Dun., field cultivation, glycowithanolides, withaferine A., yieldReferences
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Authors
Grażyna Obidowskagrazyna_obidowska@sggw.pl
Zespół Ekotoksykologii KGHiBR, SGGW, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-766 Warszawa Poland
Authors
Ala SadowskaZespół Ekotoksykologii KGHiBR, SGGW, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-766 Warszawa Poland
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