Satavari
Botanical Name: Asparagus racemosus
Family: Liliaceae
A perennial, prickly climber excessively branched. Roots are tuberous, 15–40 cm long, greyish-white. The plant is cultivated for both medicinal and ornamental purposes.
Common Names
- English: Wild asparagus
- Sanskrit: Satamuli, Satavari
- Kannada: Satavari
- Hindi: Shatavar
- Tamil: Kilavari
Distribution
It is an indigenous medicinal plant found throughout India in tropical and subtropical regions up to 1200 m altitude.
Agroclimatic Requirements
The crop grows under varied agroclimatic conditions ranging from temperate to tropical hills. It is also found up to an altitude of 1500 m in the subtropical Himalayas. By nature the plant is xerophytic and prefers semi-arid to subtropical cool environments.
Varieties
No named varieties have been developed.
Cultivation
It can be propagated using seeds as well as vegetative means.
Seed Propagation
Ripe fruits are collected preferably during December–April, washed thoroughly to remove the pulp and dried in the sun. Seeds are soaked in water for two days before sowing or treated with gibberellic acid for 24, 48, or 96 hours to obtain higher and early germination.
Sowing is done in June–July. Seeds are sown 2 cm below the soil on raised beds of 4.5 m × 1.2 m and 20 cm height. Lines are spaced about 10 cm apart. Germination occurs within 15–20 days and about 70–80% seeds germinate.
Vegetative Propagation
Through tillers: Tillers arising from the base of mature plants can be separated and planted individually.
Transplanting and Aftercare
August is the best month for transplanting. Seedlings of about 5 cm height are removed carefully from nursery beds and transferred to polybags. After 2–3 months they are planted in the field in pits of 45 × 45 × 45 cm spaced at 1 m × 1 m.
Standards are provided for supporting the climbing plants. Initially irrigation is provided once a week and later monthly irrigation is sufficient after establishment. Regular weeding and hoeing are necessary to maintain good yield and keep the field weed-free.
Inputs
| Sl.No | Materials | Per Acre | Per Hectare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No. of Plants | 11120 | 27800 |
| 2 | Farm Yard Manure (t) | 8 | 20 |
| 3 | Fertilizers | The crop is grown organically | |
Plant Protection
No serious pest or disease problems have been reported in this crop.
Harvesting
The crop matures in 12–14 months after planting depending on soil and climatic conditions. November–December is the best time for harvesting tuberous roots when the aerial parts turn pale yellow.
Storage
After harvesting, tubers are washed thoroughly in running water and dried in the sun for 1–2 days. They are then kept in warm water for one hour to soften the outer covering which helps remove the skin. After peeling, tubers are shade dried for 4–5 hours until completely dry before storage.
Yield
Harvesting after 12 months yields about 4–5 tonnes per hectare. Harvesting after 20 months yields about 6 tonnes per hectare of tubers along with about 35 kg seeds per hectare, which are not obtained in the 12-month crop.
Cost of Cultivation
Approximate cost of cultivation is around Rs. 62,500 per hectare.
Part Used
Tubers / Roots
Medicinal Uses
The root of Satavari is used as juice, paste, decoction, or powder for treating intrinsic haemorrhage, diarrhoea, piles, hoarseness of voice, cough, arthritis, poisoning, diseases of the female genital tract, erysipelas, fever and as an aphrodisiac and rejuvenative.
Galactagogue (Increases Breast Milk)
Satavari roots pounded and taken with milk (10–20 g) help increase the flow of breast milk.
Reference – Karnataka State Medicinal Plants Authority https://kampa.karnataka.gov.in/en