Agrotechnology
Among the different species of Rauvolfia, R. serpentina is preferred for cultivation because of
higher reserpine content in the root. Though it grows in tropical and subtropical areas which are free
from frost, tropical humid climate is most ideal. Its common habitats receive an annual rain fall of
1500 - 3500 mm and the annual mean temperature is 10- 38 °C. It grows up to an elevation of 1300-
1400m from msl. It can be grown in open as well as under partial shade conditions. It grows on a wide
range of soils. Medium to deep well drained fertile soils and clay-loam to silt-loam soils rich in
organic matter are suitable for its cultivation. It requires slightly acidic to neutral soils for good growth.
The plant can be propagated vegetatively by root cuttings, stem cuttings or root stumps and
by seeds. Seed propagation is the best method for raising commercial plantation. Seed germination is
very poor and variable from 10-74%. Seeds collected during September to November give good
results. It is desirable to use fresh seeds and to sock in 10% sodium chloride solution. Those seeds
which sink to the bottom should only be used. Seeds are treated with ceresan or captan before
planting in nursery to avoid damping off. Seed rate is 5-6 kg/ha. Nursery beds are prepared in shade,
well rotten FYM is applied at 1kg/m^2 and seeds are dibbled 6-7cm apart in May-June and irrigated.
Two months old seedlings with 4-6 leaves are transplanted at 45-60 x 30 cm spacing in July -August
in the main field. Alternatively, rooted cuttings of 2.5-5cm long roots or 12-20cm long woody stems
can also be used for transplanting. Hormone (Seradix) treatment increases rooting. In the main field
10 - 15 t/ha of FYM is applied basally. Fertilisers are applied at 40:30:30kg N: P 2 O 5 :K 2 O/ha every
year. N is applied in 2-3 splits. Monthly irrigation increases the yield. The nursery and the main field
should be kept weed free by frequent weeding and hoeing. In certain regions intercroping of soybean,
brinjal, cabbage, okra or chilly is followed in Rauvolfia crop.
Pests like root grubs (Anomala polita), moth (Deilephila nerii), caterpillar (Glyophodes
vertumnalis), black bugs and weevils are observed on the crop, but the crop damage is not serious.
The common diseases reported are leaf spot (Cercospora rauvolfiae, Corynespora cassiicola), leaf
blotch (Cercospora serpentina), leaf blight (Alternaria tenuis), anthracnose (Colletotrichum
gloeosporioides), die back (Colletotrichum dematrium), powdery mildew (Leviellula taurica), wilt
(Fusarium oxysporum), root-knot (Meloidogyne sp.), mosaic and bunchy top virus diseases. Field
sanitation, pruning and burning of diseased parts and repeated spraying of 0.2% Dithane Z-78 or
Dithane M-45 are recommended for controlling various fungal diseases. Rauvolfia is harvested after 2-
3 years of growth. The optimum time of harvest is in November -December when the plants shed
leaves, become dormant and the roots contain maximum alkaloid content. Harvesting is done by
digging up the roots by deeply penetrating implements (Guniyal et al, 1988).
Postharvest technology
The roots are cleaned washed cut into 12-15cm pieces and dried to 8-10% moisture.
The dried roots are stored in polythene lined gunny bags in cool dry place to protect it from
mould. The yield is 1.5-2.5 t/ha of dry roots. The root bark constitutes 40-45% of the total
weight of root and contributes 90% of the total alkaloids yield.
Properties and activity
Rauvolfia root is bitter, acrid, laxative, anthelmintic, thermogenic, diuretic and
sedative. Over 200 alkaloids have been isolated from the plant. Rauvolfia serpentina root
contains 1.4-3% alkaloids. The alkaloids are classsified into 3 groups, viz, reserpine,
ajmaline and serpentine groups. Reserpine group comprising reserpine, rescinnamine,
deserpine etc act as hypotensive, sedative and tranquillising agent. Overdose may cause
diarrhoea, bradycardia and drowsiness. Ajmaline, ajmalicine, ajmalinine, iso-ajmaline etc of
the ajmaline group stimulate central nervous system, respiration and intestinal movement with
slight hypotensive activity. Serpentine group comprising serpentine, sepentinine, alstonine etc
is mostly antihypertensive. (Husain,1993; Trivedi, 1995; Iyengar, 1985).