Vol. 14 No. 1
Standardization of agro-techniques on the growth, yield and chemical composition of ginger lily (Hedychium spicatum Smith) in western Himalaya
Author(s): GOPICHAND, R. L. MEENA, A. K. MAURYA, V. K. AGNIHOTRI AND R. D. SINGH
Abstract: Hedychium spicatum, a genus known as ginger lilies, distributed in sub-tropical to sub-temperate zones of south and south-east Asia, and Madagascar regions. Its availability is 1000 to 2800 m altitudes. Two trials following, RBD was laid out in open and under tree shades of Kinnow, Morus alba and Grevillea robusta. Another trial was laid out using Melia azedarach, Jacaranda acutifolia and Morus alba as shade trees to study the growth and yield of H. spicatum in different years. The rhizomes were used for the planting. First trial was planted in January, 2003 and second in January, 2005, first harvested in January, 2006 and in 2008. Growth parameters was recorded. FYM 15t ha-1 showed better results in 1st trial. . However, in second experiment the rhizome yield under Melia azedarach was statistically significant. However, Jacaranda produced the highest significant yield of rhizome. The flower length was maximum in Kinnow shade and minimum in open conditions. The spacing had no significant effect on growth parameters. The aim of this study was to assess the variation in oil contents of cultivated Hedychium spicatum at lower altitude (1325 m msl), under growing different tree species, collected from three locations at CSIR-IHBT, Palampur farm. The yield of rhizomes in 2nd and 3rd year’s harvest were statistically significant under the shade. In both the experiments, Kinnow shade was statistically significant and produced 16t ha-1 yield of rhizome after three years. In 25x25 cm spacing producing statistically significant rhizome yield in 2nd and 3rd years subsequently in first trial GC-MS (Gas chromatographymass Spectrometry) analysis revealed the presence of 28 volatile components with the major constituents including 1,8-Cineole (60.7-65.7), δ-Cadinene (1.4-2.8%), Elemol (2.4-3.6%), α-Cadinol (2.5-3.3%) and Eudesmol (7-epi-alpha) (8.5-11.3%). The H. spicatum with high concentration of 1,8-Cineole may be recommended for treatment of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) patients and reduced severity of dyspnea
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