FACTORS AFFECTING CULTIVATION
FACTORS AFFECTING CULTIVATION
Cultivation of medicinal plants offers wide range of advantages over the plants obtained from wild sources. There are few factors to concern which have a real effect on plant growth and development, nature and quantity of secondary metabolites. The factors affecting cultivation are altitude, temperature, rainfall, length of day, day light, soil and soil fertility, fertilizers and pests. The effects of these factors have been studied by growing particular plants in different environmental conditions and observing variations.
Altitude
Altitude is a very important factor in cultivation of medicinal plants. Tea, cinchona and eucalyptus are cultivated favour-ably at an altitude of 1,000–2,000 metres. Cinnamon and cardamom are grown at a height of 500–1000 metres, while senna can be cultivated at sea level. The following are the examples of medicinal and aromatic plants indicating the altitude for their successful cultivation (Table below).
Temperature
Temperature is a crucial factor controlling the growth, metabolism and there by the yield of secondary metabolites of plants. Even though each species has become adapted to its own natural environment, they are able to exist in a considerable range of temperature. Many plants will grow better in temperate regions during summer, but they lack in resistance to withstand frost in winter
. Table: Optimum Temperature for Drug Cultivation
Rainfall
For the proper development of plant, rainfall is required in proper measurements. Xerophytic plants like aloes do not require irrigation or rainfall. The effects of rainfall on plants must be considered in relation to the annual rainfall throughout the year with the water holding properties of the soil. Excessive rainfall could cause a reduction in the secondary metabolites due to leaching of water soluble substances from the plants.
Soil
Each and every plant species have its own soil and nutritive requirements. The three important basic characteristics of soils are their physical, chemical and microbiological properties. Soil provides mechanical support, water and essential foods for the development of plants. Soil consists of air, water, mineral matters and organic matters. Variations in particle size result in different soils ranging from clay, sand and gravel. Particle size influences the water holding capacity of soil. Table : Type of soil on the basis of particle size. Depending upon the percentage covered by clay, soils are classified as under (Table below.).
Table : Type of soil on the basis of percentage covered by clay.
Soil Fertility
It is the capacity of soil to provide nutrients in adequate amounts and in balanced proportion to plants. If cropping is done without fortification of soil with plant nutrients, soil fertility gets lost. It is also diminished through leaching and erosion. Soil fertility can be maintained by addition of animal manures, nitrogen-fixing bacteria or by application of chemical fertilizers. The latter is time saving and surest of all above techniques.
Fertilizers and Manures
Plant also needs food for their growth and development. What plants need basically for their growth are the carbon dioxide, sun-rays, water and mineral matter from the soil. Thus, it is seen that with limited number of chemical elements, plants build up fruits, grains, fibres, etc. and synthesize fixed and volatile oils, glycosides, alkaloids, sugar and many more chemicals.
Pests and Pests Control
Pests are undesired plant or animal species that causes a great damage to the plants. There are different types of pests; they are microbes, insects, non insect pests and weeds. source: http://www.pharmacy180.com/article/factors-affecting-cultivation-40/
Cultivation of medicinal plants offers wide range of advantages over the plants obtained from wild sources. There are few factors to concern which have a real effect on plant growth and development, nature and quantity of secondary metabolites. The factors affecting cultivation are altitude, temperature, rainfall, length of day, day light, soil and soil fertility, fertilizers and pests. The effects of these factors have been studied by growing particular plants in different environmental conditions and observing variations.
Altitude
Altitude is a very important factor in cultivation of medicinal plants. Tea, cinchona and eucalyptus are cultivated favour-ably at an altitude of 1,000–2,000 metres. Cinnamon and cardamom are grown at a height of 500–1000 metres, while senna can be cultivated at sea level. The following are the examples of medicinal and aromatic plants indicating the altitude for their successful cultivation (Table below).
Temperature
Temperature is a crucial factor controlling the growth, metabolism and there by the yield of secondary metabolites of plants. Even though each species has become adapted to its own natural environment, they are able to exist in a considerable range of temperature. Many plants will grow better in temperate regions during summer, but they lack in resistance to withstand frost in winter
. Table: Optimum Temperature for Drug Cultivation
Rainfall
For the proper development of plant, rainfall is required in proper measurements. Xerophytic plants like aloes do not require irrigation or rainfall. The effects of rainfall on plants must be considered in relation to the annual rainfall throughout the year with the water holding properties of the soil. Excessive rainfall could cause a reduction in the secondary metabolites due to leaching of water soluble substances from the plants.
Soil
Each and every plant species have its own soil and nutritive requirements. The three important basic characteristics of soils are their physical, chemical and microbiological properties. Soil provides mechanical support, water and essential foods for the development of plants. Soil consists of air, water, mineral matters and organic matters. Variations in particle size result in different soils ranging from clay, sand and gravel. Particle size influences the water holding capacity of soil. Table : Type of soil on the basis of particle size. Depending upon the percentage covered by clay, soils are classified as under (Table below.).
Table : Type of soil on the basis of percentage covered by clay.
Soil Fertility
It is the capacity of soil to provide nutrients in adequate amounts and in balanced proportion to plants. If cropping is done without fortification of soil with plant nutrients, soil fertility gets lost. It is also diminished through leaching and erosion. Soil fertility can be maintained by addition of animal manures, nitrogen-fixing bacteria or by application of chemical fertilizers. The latter is time saving and surest of all above techniques.
Fertilizers and Manures
Plant also needs food for their growth and development. What plants need basically for their growth are the carbon dioxide, sun-rays, water and mineral matter from the soil. Thus, it is seen that with limited number of chemical elements, plants build up fruits, grains, fibres, etc. and synthesize fixed and volatile oils, glycosides, alkaloids, sugar and many more chemicals.
Pests and Pests Control
Pests are undesired plant or animal species that causes a great damage to the plants. There are different types of pests; they are microbes, insects, non insect pests and weeds. source: http://www.pharmacy180.com/article/factors-affecting-cultivation-40/
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