Improvement in the yield and quality of kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Nees) under the sustainable production system

Abstract

Andrographis paniculata Nees is an annual erect herb with wide medicinal and pharmacological applications due to the presence of andrographolide and other active chemical constituents. The large-scale cultivation of the kalmegh is not in practice. The aim of this study was to establish sustainable production systems of A. paniculata cv CIM-Megha with the application of different bioinoculants and chemical fertilisers. A. paniculata herb and andrographolide yield in the dried leaves was found to be highest (218% and 61.3%, respectively) in treatment T₃ (NPK+Bacillus sp.) compared with T₁ (control). The soil organic carbon, soil microbial respiration, soil enzymes activity and available nutrients improved significantly with combined application of bioinoculants and chemical fertilisers.

Keywords::

• kalmegh
• andrographolide
• bioinoculants
• chemical fertilisers
• soil organic carbon
• available nutrients

Additional information

Funding

The authors are grateful to the Director CSIR-CIMAP and the CSIR, New Delhi for funding the work through the CSIR-Network project [grant no. BSC-110].