angustifolia content (6.0%) (GAU, Anand)
Japanese mint
Mentha arvensis
var. piperascens
MAS- 1
MAS- 2
Hyb- 77
Siwalik
EC- 41911
Yields fresh herb of 37.2t/ha in 2 cuttings;
containing 0.8-1.0% oil with high leaf/stem ratio.
Matures 10-15 days early. Oil yield 290kg/ha
containing 83% menthol (CIMAP)
Fresh herb yield 69t/ha, oil 348kg/ha (CIMAP)
A tall vigorous, compact growing type, cross of
MAS-2 x MA-2. Produces 78.2t/ha fresh herb, oil
yield 486kg/ha with 81.5% menthol. Highly
resistant to leaf spot and rust diseases (CIMAP)
Introduced from China, produces compact bushy
growth with thick leathery leaves, high herb and oil
yield.
A progeny selection of interspecific cross between
M. arvensis and M. piperita in USSR. High
herbage yield with high oil content (0.8-1%); oil
contains 70-80% menthol (YSPHU, Solan).
Ocimum
gratissimum
Thymol basil
O. viride
Sacred basil
O. sanctum
Clocimum
Thymol type
EC- 1828893
High herbage yield with high oil content, 75%
eugenol (RRL, Jammu).
Herb yield 3t/ha, 59kg/ha oil/annum. (CIMAP,
Lucknow)
Superior selection with high oil yield 55l/ha in 110
days containing 53% eugenol and 19%
caryophylline (NBPGR, Delhi)
Taking into consideration the requirements of the plants selected, an agrotechnological
package has to be developed to suit the infrastructural facilities available. Research and
development work has also to be carried out in the following areas (Silva, 1997).
- Optimisation of agronomical conditions for cultivation
- Training in safe fertiliser and pesticide use
- Development of fast growing varieties with disease resistance
- Determination of maturity and time of harvesting
- No. of economically viable harvests
- Methods of harvesting.
Decision on a limited scale of exploitation of medicinal plants from wild sources has to
be based on accurate inventories about the kinds of plant resources, abundance and the
feasibility of harvesting without damage to the ecosystem. In case potential candidates
identified are not abundantly available, cultivation of them through agroforestry and
community forestry programmes will have to be initiated. In this regard, development of
industries based on medicinal plants can be included as a priority area as niche markets for
these are already available.
Organic Farming
In the recent times, agricultural scenario is witnessing a trend towards organic
farming. It is seen that agricultural products produced through organic farming, without using
any inorganic fertilisers and pesticides, fetch high demand and price in the international
market.. Organic farming has its root in Nature and it makes use of only organic materials. It
observes and learns from nature. It believes that soil has life and cares about its fertility. It
protects the flora and fauna of the soil. Organic farming is not for a single crop but it envisages
the entire farm. The main objective of organic farming includes mulching, crop rotation, cover
cropping green manuring, animal waste, composting, bio-gas slurry, biofertilisers and organic
recycling. The energy sources are windmills, solar panels, small-scale hydroelectric projects
and biogas. The changeover from inorganic to organic farming is to be carried out only
systematically and carefully. Organic farming can be adopted in crops too by decreasing the
