Research Article:  The impact of varying spacing and organic manure on the growth and root yields of Sarpgandha (Rauvolfia serpentina) in Uttarakhand, India

Dhan Singh  Bisht; Abhishek  Tripathi

doi:10.21276/pt.2026.v3.i1.9

Research Article: The impact of varying spacing and organic manure on the growth and root yields of Sarpgandha (Rauvolfia serpentina) in Uttarakhand, India

Authors

Dhan Singh Bisht Herbal Research and Development Institute, Mandal, Gopeshwar - 246 401, Chamoli, Uttarakhand, India Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2883-4355
Abhishek Tripathi Herbal Research & Development Institute, Mandal, Gopeshwar Author https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1438-5235

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21276/pt.2026.v3.i1.9

Keywords:

Rauwolfia serpentina, Commercial Cultivation, Crop Rotation, Plant Spacing, Over Exploitation

Abstract

The alkaloids in Rauvolfia serpentina, especially reserpine, make it a useful medicinal plant. It is a medicinal plant that is in danger of going extinct because its natural habitats are being overused. People have been working to protect plants by growing them for a while now, especially in Uttarakhand, where they are worth a lot of money because there is always a demand for them. Commercial cultivation of Rauvolfia serpentina has become significant due to its pharmaceutical demand, rendering it commercially viable. Crop rotation and proper plant spacing are important practices that help ensure long-term production. These farming practices help keep the soil fertile and make plants grow better. Concerns have been raised about the over-exploitation of wild Rauvolfia serpentina populations. This shows that regulated cultivation and conservation efforts are needed to protect natural resources from being used up. Researchers did a study to find the best distance between plants of Rauvolfia serpentina to get the most roots. The experiment examined seven distinct plant spacings: 22.5×22.5 cm, 22.5×30 cm, 30×30 cm, 30×37.5 cm, 37.5×37.5 cm, 37.5×45.0 cm, and 45.5×45.5 cm, each with three replications. The study also looked at two different ways of managing: doing maintenance and not doing maintenance. The study's crop rotation lasted for 18 months. The data gathered consisted of leaf length, shoot length, root length, dry root diameter, and dry root weight. The analysis showed that the best spacings for commercial growing were 22.5×22.5cm, 22.5×30cm, and 30×30cm, because they allowed for the best growth and yield.

Author Biographies

Dhan Singh Bisht, Herbal Research and Development Institute, Mandal, Gopeshwar - 246 401, Chamoli, Uttarakhand, India

Scientist, Herbal Research & Development Institute, Mandal-Gopeshwar, Chamoli
Abhishek Tripathi, Herbal Research & Development Institute, Mandal, Gopeshwar

Director, Herbal Research & Development Institute, Mandal, Gopeshwar,

and Chief Development Officer, District Chamoli, Uttarakhand

References

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Published

2026-03-17

Data Availability Statement

This article contains data that supports the study.

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): Current Issue

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Articles

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How to Cite

Bisht DS, Tripathi A. Research Article: The impact of varying spacing and organic manure on the growth and root yields of Sarpgandha (Rauvolfia serpentina) in Uttarakhand, India. phytoTalks. 2026;3(1):742-749. doi:10.21276/pt.2026.v3.i1.9