Root textural quality in ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) as influenced by crop growth periods and morphotypes

Abstract

Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) is a commercially important medicinal crop and roots are the main portion of the plant used therapeutically. The root textural quality determined by high starch–fiber ratio fetches premium price for the produce. Influence of morphological variants and crop growth intervals on accumulation of starch and crude fiber in roots was studied to assess morphotypical differences and to determine the right harvest stage for high root yield with better physical quality. The morphotypes showed similar trend for dry root yield, whereas differences were observed for starch and crude fiber accumulation. The pattern of starch and fiber accumulation varied with different crop growth periods. In general, crude fiber content increased with the crop duration, whereas starch content and starch–fiber ratio followed a trend of decrease–increase–decrease as influenced by different phenophases. Discussions on suitable harvest stage based on dry root yield and starch–fiber ratio are made.