POTENTIAL SPECIES OF MEDICINAL PLANTS FOR CULTIVATION IN DECCAN REGION

RAJESWARA RAO B.R.¹, SYAMASUNDAR K.V.², RAJPUT D.K.³, NAGARAJU G.⁴, ADINARAYANA G.^5
1CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) Research Centre, Boduppal, Hyderabad, AP, India.
²CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) Research Centre, Boduppal, Hyderabad, AP, India.
³CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) Research Centre, Boduppal, Hyderabad, AP, India.
⁴CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) Research Centre, Boduppal, Hyderabad, AP, India.
⁵CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) Research Centre, Boduppal, Hyderabad, AP, India.

Received : 21-03-2012     Accepted : 09-04-2012     Published : 12-04-2012
Volume : 3     Issue : 2       Pages : 96 - 100
J Phcog 3.2 (2012):96-100
DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.9735/0976-884X.3.2.96-100

The Deccan or Dakshin (southern) region of India that came into existence some 65-67 million years ago due to volcanic activity encompasses eight Indian states with Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and Vindhya and Satpura ranges as its western, eastern and northern boundaries. Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Tungabhadra, Narmada and Tapti are the major rivers. The region experiences semi-arid to tropical climate with south-west and north-east monsoons as the main rainy seasons. The region is agriculturally rich with agricultural, horticultural, spice and commercial crops under large scale cultivation. The Western (3500 species) and Eastern (>1500 species) Ghats are rich repositories of medicinal plants (MPs). The region is globally known for its sandalwood (Santalum album L., Santalaceae) and red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L.f., Fabaceae) reserves. A number of economically important MPs such as senna (Cassia senna), winter cherry (Withania somnifera), long pepper (Piper longum), glory lily (Gloriosa superba), basil (Ocimum sanctum), carry me seed (Phyllanthus amarus), periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), Indian goose berry (Emblica officinalis), blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus), sweet flag (Acorus calamus), aloe (Aloe vera), coleus (Plectranthus forskohlii), safed musli (Chlorophytum borvilianum), itching bean (Mucuna pruriens/ cochinchinensis), ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus), king of bitters (Andrographis paniculata), aromatic ginger (Kaempferia galanga), greater galangal (Alpinia galanga) etc. are cultivated by the farmers of the region. The region has vast potential to cultivate many more medicinal herbs, shrubs, trees, climbers and creepers on a large scale to cater to the growing local and international demand for MPs.

Deccan region, medicinal plant species, cultivation.

Medicinal plants (MPs), phyto-chemicals, formulations and products derived from them have gained global economic significance with consumers demanding and preferring products with herbal ingredients in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, perfumes, fragrances and other products [4,6-9] . The global imports and exports have reached US$ 2.1 billion each in 2010 with growth rates of over 50% during the period 2005-2010 (UN Comtrade database). India and China are the major exporters of MPs. The market for traditional therapies that use herbal medicines is poised to grow to USD 5 trillion by 2050. Truly 21st century belongs to MPs and its products. India with 16700 flowering plants has 8000 MPs. Nearly half of them are housed in the Deccan region. The Deccan or Dakshin (southern) region that came into existence some 65-67 million years back due to volcanic activity encompasses eight Indian states with different languages (Marathi, Hindi, Urdu, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam) spoken by the people. Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and Vindhya and Satpura ranges form its western, eastern and northern boundaries. Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Tungabhadra, Narmada and Tapti are the major rivers. The first four rivers flow from the west to the east discharging their waters into the Bay of Bengal. Narmada and Tapti flow from the east to the west joining the Arabian Sea. The region experiences semi-arid to tropical climate with south-west and north-east monsoons as the main rainy seasons. The temperatures during summer months of March to June cross 400C in many parts of the region. The region is agriculturally prosperous with agricultural, horticultural, spice and commercial crops under large scale cultivation. The Western (3500 species) and Eastern (>1500 species) Ghats are rich repositories of MPs. The region is globally known for its rich reserves of sandalwood (Santalum album L., Santalaceae) and red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L.f., Fabaceae) that have dwindled in the recent past. The farmers of the region are progressive and are cultivating several MPs [2,3,5] . Many more MPs can be cultivated in this region to supply MPs on a sustainable basis to national and international markets [1] .

India regularly exports over 40000-50000 tons of dried herbs and herbal plant parts to the western world (mostly USA, Europe and Japan). In addition, the local industries and rural households consume another 270000-280000 tons. Considering that fresh herbs contain 75% moisture, nearly a million tons of fresh herbs are harvested every year to satisfy the local and export requirements. Fortunately over 45% of the biomass comes from <40 cultivated species, but 37% of the biomass obtained from 77% of the species are harvested from the forests [13] , a substantial portion from Western and Eastern Ghats. As a result of over exploitation, habitat loss due to anthropological reasons and climate change, the Western Ghats have been classified as one of the world’s 34 biodiversity hot spots that have lost 70% of their original plant wealth. Eastern Ghats are no exception. The initiatives of both the government and non-government institutions to regulate unscientific collections and encourage in situ and ex situ cultivation have yielded encouraging results, but need to be continued and strengthened to protect the biodiversity for posterity. FRLHT (Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions), Bangalore after a survey has indicated that 178 species are required in quantities of >100 tons/annum [13] .

Species that are in high demand [13] and can be grown in Deccan region are: Abrus precatorius, Acacia catechu, Acacia nilotica, Acacia sinuata, Achyranthes aspera, Aegle marmelos, Aerva lanata, Albizzia amara, Alstonia scholaris, Anogeissus latifolia, Asparagus racemosus, Bacopa monnieri, Baliospermum montanum, Boerhavia diffusa, Bombax ceiba, Boswellia serrata, Buchnania lanzan, Butea monosperma, Cardiospermum halicacabum, Careya arborea, Cassia absus, Cassia fistula, Cassia tora, Centella asiatica, Centratherum anthelminticum, Celastrus paniculatus, Chlorophytum tuberosum, Citrullus colocynthis, Clerodendrum phlomides, Convolvulus microphyllus, Coscinium fenestratum, Curculigo orchioides, Cyclea peltata, Datura metel, Decalepis hamiltonii, Desmodium gangeticum, Eclipta prostrata, Embelia tsjerium-cottam, Fumaria indica, Garcinia indica, Gardenia resinifera, Gmelina arborea, Gymnema sylvestre, Hedyotis corymbosa, Helicteres isora, Hemidesmus indicus, Holarrhena pubescens, Holoptelea integrifolia, Holostemma ada-kodien, Hygrophylla schulli, Ipomoea mauritiana, Ipomoea nil, Ixora coccinea, Lannea coromandelica, Litsea glutinosa, Lobelia nicotianaefolia, Madhuca indica, Merremia tridentate, Messua ferrea, Mimusops elengi, Morinda pubescens, Nilgirianthus ciliatu, Ocimum americanum, Operculina turpethum, Oroxylum indicum, Peganum harmala, Pluchea lanceolata, Plumbago zeylanica, Premna serratifolia, Pseudarthia viscid, Psoralea corylifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Pterocarpus santalinus, Rauvolfia serpentina, Rubia cordifolia, Santalum album, Sapindus mukorossi, Saraca asoca, Schrebera swietenioides, Semecarpus anacardium, Shorea robusta, Sida rhombifolia , Sisymbrium irio, Smilax glabra, Solanum anguivi, Solanum nigrum, Solanum virginianum, Soymida febrifuga, Sphaeranthus indicus, Sterculia urens, Stereospermum chelonoides, Strychnos nux-vomica, Strychnos potatorum, Symplocos racemosus, Tephrosia purpurea, Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula, Tinospora cordifolia, Tragia involucrate, Tribulus terrestris, Trichosanthes cucumerina, Vateria indica, Withania coagulens, Woodfordia fruticosa, Wrightia tinctoria, Ziziphus xylocarpus.

Farmers and entrepreneurs who wish to cultivate or start an enterprise based on MPs are advised to carefully consider the following points
1) Assess the suitability of the area for cultivation of MPs: Soil and water tests are desirable.
2) Collect complete information about the MPs intended for cultivation: Central and State Government organizations/Departments, cultivating farmers provide the desired information.
3) Discuss the proposal with all partners to establish a farming enterprise or for value addition.
4) Survey the market and satisfy yourself concerning marketing opportunities and future demand.
5) Arrange for funds through self investment, loans, subsidies etc.
6) Create irrigation facilities and drying facilities.
7) Practice organic farming methods as far as possible and be prepared to obtain organic certification from certified agencies.
8) Procure good planting material from authentic sources.
9) Plant the crop in the right season and time. Delayed planting reduces yields and quality.
10) Ensure periodical supervision of the work force in case of absent landlordism particularly at inputs application (fertilizers/manures, other chemicals) time and when engaging many workers for weeding, harvesting etc.
11) Practice organic prophylactic measures to prevent/check pests and diseases.
12) Apply inputs (manures, fertilizers, irrigation) at appropriate time.
13) Harvest at the right time. Delay in harvesting results in low yields and poor quality of the produce.
14) Ensure proper drying of the harvested material before storing.
15) Follow recommended methods for packing and storing the dried produce.
16) Test the quality of the produce before marketing.
17) Market as soon as possible. Improper post-harvest handling and storing reduces shelf-life and quality of the produce.

The following MPs are commercially cultivated in this region: African glory lily (Gloriosa superba), aloe (Aloe vera), ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus), aromatic ginger (Kaempferia galanga), basil (Ocimum sanctum), blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus), carry me seed (Phyllanthus amarus), coleus (Plectranthus forskohlii), greater galangal (Alpinia galanga), Indian goose berry (Emblica officinalis), itching/velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens/ cochinchinensis), king of bitters (Andrographis paniculata), long pepper (Piper longum), periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), safed musli (Chlorophytum borvilianum), senna (Cassia senna), sweet flag (Acorus calamus), winter cherry (Withania somnifera) etc. Many more MPs are grown in home herbal gardens, in joint forest management schemes, and on small scale [2-5,11,12] .

The economics and brief cultivation details of some the cultivated species [3,5,11] are presented below:

[Table-1] .

[Table-2] .

[Table-3] .

[Table-4] .

[Table-5] .

[Table-6] .

[Table-7] .

[Table-8] .

The Deccan region comprises 8 states of India and is rich in MPs diversity. A number of MPs are cultivated, processed and marketed in different states in this region. Several more MPs can be grown and traded. MPs cultivated and potential MPs with high demand that can be grown have been listed. With increasing national and global demand for MPs, there is excellent scope for cultivating many MPs in this region.

The authors thank the Director, CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow for facilities.

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	Table 1- King of bitters
	Table 2- Carry me seed
	Table 3- Glory lily
	Table 4- Periwinkle
	Table 5- Senna
	Table 6- Ambrette
	Table 7- Long pepper
	Table 8- Coleus