STUDIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTIVATION PRACTICES OF Rheum australe D.Don
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Date
2014
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled, “Studies on the development of cultivation practices of
Rheum australe D.Don” was carried out in Horticulture Research and Training Sub-Station Rahla –
Kullu (H.P.) and in the experimental farm as well as in laboratory of Department of Forest Products,
College of Forestry, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, H.P.
during 2010-2014. Rheum australe D.Don is a high altitude endangered medicinal plant commonly
known as Revandchini belongs to family Polygonaceae. It is a perennial stout herb distributed in
temperate and sub tropical regions of the world. Rhizomes roots are purgative, astringent, tonic,
stomachic and aperient. Root is regarded as a panacea in local home remedies and is used in stomach
problems, cuts, wound and muscular swellings, tonsillitis and mumps. It has been found as a potent
anti- inflammatory drug. The investigations were based on 4 experiments : (1) Morphological and
phenological studies (2) Standardization of nursery raising techniques (3) Effect of different
plant spacings on growth and yield (4) Effect of organic manures and biofertilizers on growth
and yield and to work out its cost of cultivation. Growing medium of Soil + Cocopeat +
Vermicompost (1:1:1) under shade net condition was found to enhance the growth performance in all
the parameters viz. germination percentage(82.68%), initiation of germination (10.00 days),
completion of germination (17.33 days), mean daily germination(4.12), and peak value(0.81). Shade
net house conditions with sowing during November month resulted in higher germination percentage
(83.32%), early initiation of germination (8.14 days), seedling shoot (29.46 cm) and root length
(32.33 cm). Hence seeds should be sown during November month under shade net house conditions
for best germination and growth. The seeds of Rheum australe should be stored in plastic bags under
refrigerated condition (0 to -5 0C) for retaining viability for longer period of time. Studies also
revealed that the plants of Rheum australe should be planted at 60x60 cm spacing for getting
maximum underground biomass yield (9.90 q/ha). NPK @ (120 : 60: 30 Kg/ha) combination gave
maximum plant height (54.81 cm), above ground (63.62g) and belowground biomass(74.69 g) as well
as underground biomass yield (23.34q/ha). Maximum benefit: cost ratio (3.87) was obtained with the
application of NPK @ (120 : 60: 30 Kg/ha) which was followed by FYM + Azotobacter + PSB (10t :
5kg :5kg) with a BCR of 3.27.
Description
Keywords
planting, germinability, sowing, yields, developmental stages, vegetative propagation, spacing, storage, research methods, biological development, Rheum australe D.Don”, cultivation practices