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Commercial cultivation of
Sarpagandha
 SARPAGANDHA
(Rauvolfia serpentina Benth.ex Kurz.)
Family-Apocynaceae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Rauvolfia
Species: R. serpentina

Binomial name Rauvolfia serpentina

(L.) Benth. ex Kurz
 INTRODUCTION
•Rauvolfia serpentina, or 'snakeroot' or 'sarpagandha' is a species of
flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae. It is native to South and
East Asia (from India to China and Indonesia).
•Rauvolfia root or Serpentine root is one of the important crude

drugs used in modern medicine. Its leaves are simple, 7.5 -10 cm
long and 3.5 -5 cm broad. Root is prominent, tuberous, usually
branched, 0.5 to 2.6 cm diameter. Upto 40 to 60 cm deep into soil.
The root bark, which constitutes 40-60% of the whole root, is rich in
alkaloids known for their efficacy in reducing high blood pressure
and as a sedative or tranquilizing agent. The fresh roots emit a
characteristic acrid aroma and are very bitter in taste.
•The roots Rouvolfia serpentina in fruiting possess high alkaloid

concentration. Reserpine is the compound / active principle used for

hypertension as a life saving drug in allopathic system of medicine.
Roots are mainly collected from forests.
Habitat
It is an erect under shrubs (woody herb) and occasionally in scrub jungles
and forest clearings growing for a height of 60-90 cm growing wild in NE
region upto an altitude of 500 m.
Medicinal uses
•The extract of the plant has also been used for millennia in India –

Alexander the Great administered this plant to cure his general Ptolemy I
Soter of a poisoned arrow. It was reported that Mahatma Gandhi took it as a
tranquilizer during his lifetime. It has been used for millennia to treat insect
stings and the bites of venomous reptiles. A compound which it contains
called reserpine, was used in an attempt to treat high blood pressure and
mental disorders including schizophrenia, and had a brief period of
popularity for that purpose in the West from 1954 to 1957.
•According to the American Cancer Society: "Available scientific evidence

does not support claims that Indian snakeroot is effective in treating cancer,
liver disease, or mental illness. It also has many dangerous side effects and
is likely to increase the risk of cancer."
 Commercial cultivation
Soil and Climate
The plant grows in a wide variety of soils, from sandy alluvial

loam to red lateritic loam with large percentage of humus and acidic
in reaction. The ideal pH for this crop is from 4.6 – 6.5. It prefers
hot humid climate, humus rich sandy loam soil. A climate with a
temperature range of 10 – 30C seems to be well suited for this
plant. The best areas, which combine high rainfall with properly
drained soil.
Variety
(i) Local collection from wild
(ii) Jawahar Lal Neheru Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya has developed one
improved variety-R.S-1. The seed viability remain upto 50-60 %
after 7 months of storage and yield about 2.5 t/dry roots/ ha. In this
variety the alkaloid content has been found 1.64 – 2.94 % at 18
months growth.
Propagation
•Rauvolfia can be propagated by seed and also by vegetative means like root cutting,
root stumps, and stem cutting. Seed propagation is best method for commercial
plantation. A healthy mother stock should be raised before hand for collection of
seeds.
A) Seed propagation
Seed germination is highly variable. Germination of heavy seeds during April-June
after soaking them in water for 24 hours is about 20-40 % while freshly collected
heavy seeds germination is highest (upto 60 %). April-May is found to be suitable
for sowing seeds in nursery. The nursery is prepared by raised beds mixing with
one-third of well matured FYM and leaf mould and two-third- amount medium silt-
loam soil under partial shade. Seeds are sown 2-3 cm apart in rows in shallow
furrows by April. The furrows are then covered with a fine mixture of soil and
FYM.
The bed should be kept moist by light watering. Germination starts after 15-20

days and continues upto 40-50 days. The nursery should be kept moist throughout
the germination period. Seedlings are ready by mid June- July for transplantation.
Seedlings may be raised in poly bags also. About 6 kg seed sown during April-May
in a 500-m2 bed will be sufficient for one-hectare area.
B) By stem cutting
As collection of seeds is both laborious and costly, vegetative propagation by root or
shoot cuttings has been advocated for raising plantation to collect the seeds, as well
as to quickly multiply the genetically superior clones. Hard wooded stem cutting
measuring 15-20 cm are closely planted during June in the nursery beds where
continuous moisture is maintained. After sprouting and giving out roots, these plants
are transplanted in the main field at given spacing. Nearly 75-95 % success is
obtained if treated with rooting hormone β- indole acetic acid @ 30 ppm for 12
hours. Treated cuttings root within 15 days.
C) By root cutting
Large taproots with a few filiform lateral secondary rootlets are used. They are cut at
2.5- 5 cm in length and planted on moist sand bed. Root cuttings of about 0.25 cm
diameter planted in March-June give about 80 % or more success in about 1-1.5
months time. About 100 kg of root cuttings are required to plant 1 ha.
D) By root-stump
This is prepared by cutting about 5 cm root with a portion of the stem above the
collar and gives about 90-95 % success. Such plants are transplanted in May-July.
Limitation is only one plant can be raised from a single stump. However, best results
for commercial cultivation is obtained from seed propagation only. To establish
initial mother stock the above methods may be used.
 Planting
Transplanting the nursery grown seedlings of 40-50 days old which have 4-
6 leaves (10-12 cm tall, naked rooted or in poly bags), are planted at spacing
of 30 x 30 cm is optimum. Seedlings are carefully dugout and the taproot is
cut. They are then dipped in a 0.1 % solution of fungicide before planting to
protect them against soil borne fungus causing damping off disease.
Sarpagandha takes a long duration (18 months onwards) as it is slow

growing crop particularly in the initial stage. About 80,000 – 1,00,000

number of seedlings are required/ha as a sole crop.
Manures and fertilizers
FYM @ 20-25 MT/ha should be applied during land preparation. After
planting N,P & K at the rate 10:60:30 kg/ha is applied as basal dose. Later
two equal doses of N each of 10 kg /ha in moist soil may be applied at 50
days and 170 days after planting
 Irrigation
Rouvolfia is cultivated as a rainfed crop. However, if available 4 irrigations in

summer and 2 in winter at one month interval may be applied for higher yield.
Inter cropping
It is possible to grow inter crop in Rauvolfia plantation, like patchouli in the first

year particularly where good irrigation facilities are available. Since Rouvolfia is
shade loving it can be planted as intercrop in orchards or some other plantation
crops.
Weeding
Weeding, cleaning, hoeing twice during rains and after rains.

Defloration
Flowering and fruiting starts from 6 months onward after transplanting which is

irrelevant, unless there is need to collect sufficient seeds for sale or for mass
multiplication. If the plant is allowed to flower and bear fruits, these markedly
depress both shoot and root growth, because a significant amount of
photosynthesis is utilized for the production of flowers and fruits by the plants.
Therefore, defloration is recommended for better root growth and yield. For seed
collection an area may earmarked.
 Pests and Diseases
Insect pests
1. Root knots appear as galls caused by nematode resulted stunted growth,
etiolation and decrease in the leaf size are the symptoms in the aerial portion.
Application of 25 kg of 3 G Carbofuran or 20 of 10 G Phorate granules /ha
will control them. Tagetes may beintercropped as trap crop against
nematode.
2. A pyralid caterpillar (Glyphodes vertumnalis) cause appreciable damage
to the leaves. Some other caterpillars roll the leaf and feed on the green
matter of tender leaves causing defoliation. They can be controlled by
spraying 0.2 % Rogor.
3. Cockchafer grubs (Anomala polita) attack the seedlings about 2 cm below
the hypocotyls, resulting in their drying up. To control the attack of grubs,
mix phorate granules with the soil at the time of nursery preparation.
 Important pests of sarpagandha

Cut worm, Agrotis sp
Sphingid caterpillar,Deilephila nerii
Epilachna beetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata
Ash weevil, Myllocerus viridanus
Mealy bug, Coccidohystrix insolita
 1-Cut worm, Agrotis sp. 
Symptom of damage
 Larva attack the tender seedlings
Caterpillars are nocturnal in habit and found under debris around

plants.
Cuts seedlings near the ground level and eat the tender parts.

Damage is more in low lying water logged areas.

Identification of the pest

Eggs are globular in shape, ribbed and whitish in color.
Tiny caterpillars feed gregariously on the foliage for a few days and
then enter in to the soil.
 Management
Fork the soil (summer months) – to expose larva and pupa for avian

predators Install light traps (summer) to attract adult moths Install

Pheromone traps at 20/ha to monitor and attract male moths Irrigate
the field in day time to expose larva for predation by birds. Drench
collar region of the plants in evening hours with Chlorpyriphos
2ml/lit.a day after planting.
2. Sphingid caterpillar, Deilephila nerii 
Symptom of damage
Caterpillar feed on the leaves

Defoliation

Identification of the pest

Larva is stout with a spine in the anal region.

Adult is robust green moth with yellow markings.

 Management
Soil digging to expose the pupae for predation by birds

Handpicking and destruction of caterpillars.

Use light trap 1/ha

Plant neerium around the bunds and take up plant protection on

neerium with chemicals

 3. Epilachna beetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata

Symptom of damage 
 Grubs and adults feed by scrapping chlorophyll from epidermal

layers of leaves
Skeletnized and gradually dry away.

Identification of the pest

 Grubs - yellowish in colour, stout with spines

all over the body.

Adult - spherical bluish brown and mottled

with black spots.

Management Egg, Grub, Pupa and Adult
 Collect and destroy grubs and adults.

Spray carbaryl 50 WP 3g/lt + wettable sulphur2g/lt.

4. Ash weevil, Myllocerus viridanus 

Symptom of damage 
Adults  feeding on the leaves from the edges in a serrated manner

Notching of leaf margins.

Grubs feed on roots and cause wilting and

drying of plants.

Identification of the pest

Adult is small light green in colour.

Management
Collection and destruction of adults
Spraying of Carbaryl 0.2% or Malathion 0.1%
Incorporation of soil with dust or drenching
of the soil with 0.1% Chlorpyriphos
 5. Mealy bug, Coccidohystrix insolita 
Symptom of damage
 Nymphs and adults present on undersurface of leaves and suck the sap

Affected plants turn yellow, wilt and dry

Honeydew secretion causes sooty mould.

Identification of the pest

Mealy bugs are small, oval, and soft-bodied

covered with white mealy wax.

Management
Removal of affected parts in the early stage of attack.

Spray application of dimethoate 0.05 % (or)

 methyldemeton 25 EC 0.05% (or) malathion 50 EC

0.1%Field release of coccinellid predators

In the later stage of the crop neem oil 5ml or fish

oil rosin soap 25 gm per litre of water can be sprayed

 Diseases
1. Leaf spot caused by Cercospora rauvolfiae manifests as dark-brown
coloured spots on the upper surface of the leaf and yellowish – brown
on the lower surface. The affected leaves turn yellow, become dry, and
subsequently fall off, resulting in defoliation. To control this Dithane
M-45 @ 0.2% is to be sprayed before the monsoon and repeated at
monthly intervals until November.
2. Alternaria tenuis attacks the leaves, resulting in minute, brownish
or dark coloured circular spots with a yellowish margin on the ventral
side of the leaves. The
fungus also affects the flowers and fruits. The crop should be sprayed
with 30 g Blitox in 10 litre water, whenever the symptoms are seen.
 Collection of seeds
For collection of seeds, plants in small portion of plantation are

allowed to flower and bear fruits.

The fruits start maturing from middle of July and continue till

February. Mature seeds bear a purplish black fleshy covering. Since

all the seeds do not mature at a time, these are picked periodically,
otherwise ripe seeds drop off. After the collection, fleshy covering
should be removed by washing the seeds in water. After washing, the
seeds are dried in shade and are stored in airtight containers.
 Harvesting & processing
The marketable roots are generally collected 2-3 years after plantation preferably

after 30 months of planting. When transplanting is done during June-July harvesting

period coincides with shedding of leaves during early autumn. At this stage root
contains maximum concentration of total alkaloids. During harvest the roots may be
found to go up to 40 cm deep in the soil. During root harvesting the thin roots are
also collected. Care should be taken to keep the root bark intact as the bark
constitutes 40-56 % of the whole root and has a higher alkaloid content. In general
during winter months plants remain dormant, is considered ideal for harvesting.
Application of a light irrigation if possible will make digging easier. After digging,

the roots are cleaned, washed and cut into 12-15 cm pieces for drying and storage.
The dry root possesses upto 10-12 % moisture. The dried roots are stored in
polythene lined gunny bags in cool dry place to protect them from mould.
Yield
Though Rauvolfia can be propagated by various methods; maximum yield of root is
obtained when the propagation is done by seeds that varies from 0.1 to 0.4 kg per
plant.. The average yield of Rauvolfia dry
root is approximately 2000-2500 kg/ha under average management when harvested
at 30 months.
 MARKETING AND EXPORT
India has rich diversity of medicinal plants. The supply base of 90% herbal raw

drugs used in the manufacture of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani & Homoeopathy

systems of medicine is largely from the wild. This wild source is speedily
shrinking day-by-day. Therefore, there is a need for conservation and
sustainable use of medicinal plants. Cultivation is clearly a sustainable
alternative to the present collection of medicinal plants from the wild. This can
be a potential provider of returns to the farmers.
The medicinal plants sector at present is not well organized and needs special

attention. Although different Ministries and Departments in the Government

sector, NGOs and individuals in the private sector are making efforts in different
directions, yet there is a need to co-ordinate and systematize these efforts. An
appropriate mechanism for coordination and implementation of policies relating
to medicinal plants both at the national and state levels is necessary to facilitate
inter-Ministry, inter-State and institutional collaboration to avoid duplication of
efforts. Therefore, a need for the establishment of a national level nodal body
called the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) was felt to formulate
policies for the sector and develop the potentials of this sector through Schemes
and Projects that encourage investment in this sector.
Yield — 2000 Kg. Dry roots at 30 months
Sarpagandha : For centuries Rauwolfia serpentina has been
used to treat hypertension. 'Rasagandha' is a product used
for effective treatment of hypertension. Main Ingredients :-
Sootshekhar, Jatamansi,Sarpagandha

HERBAL REMEDIES FROM AYURVEDA

Antipsychotic Effect
•Rauwolfia

•Centella (in polyherbal)

 Conclusion.
 Production and marketing of Sarpagandha
and economic value of crop.
 National and international value of the crop.
 Medicinal value of the crop.
 References.
 Floriculture at a glance by Dr.Deshraj.
 Introductory ornamental horticulture by
Dr.J.S.Arora.
 TNAU.com.
 CIMAP.com.
 www.google.com.
THANK YOU