Pyrethrum cultivation at Nanjanad

Abstract

Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerarifolium) belonging to the family Compositas is a glaucous perennial 18 to 24" high. The stems are unbranched and slightly hairy. The leaves are petioled and finely cut. The insecticidal property of this plant is known as "Pyrethrin", which is obtained mainly from its flowers the stamens and pistils, having insecticidal principle, in its most concentrated form. The original home of the plant seems to be in Persia. During the early part of the 19th century, Europe used to import both the plant itself and flower powder from Persia to meet a widespread demand for an effective vermifuge. Later on, in about 1850-60 a new species of the plant was produced in Dalmatia which gradually proved to be superior in quality to the Persian stuff. Long after this period the plant found its way to other places like Japan, Kenya etc.,. In pre-war period Japan used to produce 25 million pounds of dried pyrethrum flowers per annum and 90% of the output went to the United States. Since Japan started hostilities, the only supply for the allied countries has been from Kenya where pyrethrum is regarded as one of the most flourishing industries. Hence efforts were made to increase the area under this crop. From the year 1937 the Imperial (now Indian) Council of Agricultural Research seriously considered the introdue- tion of pyrethrum into India and after a number of experiments fonnd that places like the Punjab, Shillong in Assam, Kashmir and in certain parts of the Madras Presidency namely Nilgiris and Kodaikanal were suitable for its cultivation. During the World War II the area under this orop increased extensively to supply dried flowers to the military.