Effect of different organic treatments on ex situ conservation of Polygonatum cirrhifolium Royle

Abstract

Polygonatum cirrhifolium Royle (Meda), a herb belonging to the Liliaceae family, is known for its medicinal, cultural and ethno-botanical uses. However, due to its great market potential, it is harvested and grown in an uncontrolled way; overexploitation has caused the decline of the herb from its natural habitat. Since finding new organic treatments can help conserve the plant, a 2-year field experiment was undertaken to study the effect of different organic fertilizers and the nature of nursery beds on the survival, morphological growth and yield of this plant. The observations were recorded in 15-day intervals. The results show that yield was lower in control beds when compared with forest litter, farmyard manure and vermicompost in all type of beds prepared in rows, furrows and plain. The yield was highest at beds located at plantation with furrows which were supplemented with forest litter. Thus, it can be concluded that the cultivation of P. cirrhifolium is optimal in beds with rows and furrows (plantation in furrows) and supplemented with forest litter. In addition, composted organic material also improves both soil quality and fertility and regulates water. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on ex situ conservation of P. cirrhifolium from Kumaun Himalaya.