Evaluation of Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau and Fernandes) germplasm

Full text

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Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences 31 (4) (2009) 302-307
ABSTRACT
Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau and Fernandes (family
Liliaceae), a high-value medicinal plant is becoming rare
because it is collected from wild habitat. To encourage its
cultivation, agrotechnologies were developed during 2000-2005
under semi-arid tropic conditions of Hyderabad, India. Yields
of safed musli was improved by 49.8% and 33.9% on raised bed
planting, compared to flat bed and ridge planting, respectively.
Plant spacing had significant influence on safed musli yield.
The maximum yield 995 kg ha-1 was recorded with 30 x 22.5 cm
spacing and was found to be 20.9, 22.1 and 22.8% higher than
30 x 25, 30 x 27.5 and 30 x 30 cm, respectively. The results of
time of harvest study indicate that after the drying of foliage
there has been increase in tuber biomass. Crop harvested 33
weeks after planting in January produced 1490 kg. which was
27.4, 15.5 and 6.4 % higher than harvested after 21 (October),
25 (November) and 29 (December) weeks after planting.
Further, harvesting beyond 33 weeks was not advantageous.
Intercropping was found to be an important agronomic practice
that had the potential to improve the highest gross and net
returns and benefic-cost ratio. Pigeon pea (early type) followed
by black gram were the ideal crops for intercropping under
semi arid tropics.
Key words: Chlorophytum borivilianum, cropping system,
harvesting, planting, spacing.
INTRODUCTION
Chlorophytum borivilianum (Santapau & Fernandes)
(Liliaceae) is a small (up to 30 cm high) herbaceous plant with
cylindrical underground fleshy tubers milky white inside
(Figure 1). The peeled and dried tubers are popularly known
as safed (white) musli in India. It is a constituent of a well-
known Ayurvedic formulation (health tonic) and is an
aphrodisiac drug given to cure general debility. The
Response of safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau and
Fernandes) to methods of planting, spacing, harvesting age and cropping
system
S. K. KOTHARI* AND P. SATHI REDDY
Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Resource Centre, Boduppal, P.O. Uppal, Hyderabad-500
039, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Received 20th January, 2006
sapogenins are considered to be a potent medicinal constituent
of the tuber and have been widely reported [2, 7, 15, 16].
At present, the tubers of C. borivilianum are mostly
collected from their habitats in southern Rajasthan, western
Madhya Pradesh and north Gujarat of India. Its survival is
threatened on account of destructive nature of harvesting
(tuber being economic organ the whole plant is removed),
shy flowering behaviour and poor seed formation, low seed
germination (10% - 32%), high seed and tuber dormancy and
rate of tuber multiplication ratio (4-5 times per annum) [2, 6, 12,
17]. The current annual production of safed musli is 500 –600
t from its wild source but its supply is highly irregular. The
projected current demand is high as against supply and, musli
prices have increased considerably in the last few years.
Therefore, it is fetching high price. Thus, there is need to
bring the species into regular cultivation. The complete
production technology of this crop is currently not available.
Very little efforts were made in the past to domesticate and
develop production technology of crop in the country.
Therefore, intense efforts are being made to collect and
evaluate indigenous germplasm accessions of safed musli for
selection of high tuber mass containing high sapogenin and
carbohydrate [1, 5] and up-scaling of micro propagated
seedling production technology [10]. Earlier we have reported
the results of experiment on planting material requirement,
farmyard manure and N rates and pinching of inflorescence
for obtaining higher growth and yield of tubers in semi-arid
tropics [6]. In this study, field experiments were conducted to
develop agro techniques, particularly methods of planting,
spacing, harvesting age and cropping system in order to
maximize productivity of safed musli.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau &
Fernandes) plants collected from their natural habitat and a
promising type with high yield potential [5] were multiplied at
the research farm of the Central Institute of Medicinal and
Aromatic Plants, Resource Centre, Hyderabad, (542 m above
mean sea level, 17o 20’ N and 78o 3’ E) in 1999. The annual
*Author for correspondence; Present address: 501, Lotus Arcadia, Lilac
Block, Kondapur, Hyderabad, India, E mail: skkothari57@yahoo.com

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rainfall of Hyderabad is about 760 mm of which 80% is received
between June and September (South-West monsoon). The
average temperature is 29o C, and varies from 22o C to 35o C,
the highest (44o C day temperature) being in May and the
lowest (12o C night temperature) in January. The experiment
location experiences a semi-arid tropical climate. The soil of
the site used for conducting the series of experiments was
shallow, well drained, gravel red sandy-loam (alfic ustochrept)
having organic carbon 0.3 %, pH 7.3 (1:2.5 soil to solution
ratio) and available N, P and K at 69.3, 9.5 and 140 kg ha-1,
respectively. The methodology followed for each experiment
is given below.
Expt.-I Methods of planting
Field experiments were conducted in 2000 and 2001 to
study the yield attributes and yield of safed musli as influenced
by three methods of planting, on raised bed (90 cm wide, 45
cm high and 60 cm interval), ridges (45 cm high and 60 cm
centre-to-centre spacing) or flat bed (Figure 2). The raised
bed, ridges and flat bed were prepared manually after
application and mixing of basal doses of P at 26 kg ha-1 from
single super phosphate, K at 46 kg ha-1 from muriate of potash
and well-decomposed FYM at 40t ha-1. The experimental
design was randomized complete block with six replications
with individual plot size 3 m x 2.40 m i.e. 7.20 m2. C.
borivilianum tuber bunches were divided into small units
Fig. 1. Plant (A) and tubers (B) of safed musli
(Chlorophytum borivilianum)
Fig. 2. Field view of safed musli (Chlorophytum
borivilianum) grown on raised bed (A), ridges (B)
and flat bed (C).

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containing 2 - 4 tubers and weighing 12 - 15 g unit-1. Care was
taken that a portion of the crown region remained attached
with each planting unit to ensure proper sprouting (Kothari &
Singh 2003). The tuber units were planted in first week of
June of 2000 and 2001 on raised bed at 30 x 20 cm spacing (72
plants plot-1 i.e. 1,00,000 plants ha-1). Likewise, the tuber units
were planted on both side (leaving 20 cm from top) of the
ridges in double row at 30 cm within-row spacing (80 plants
plot–1 i.e. 1, 11, 111 plants ha -1) and at 30 x 30 cm within and
between – row spacing (80 plants plot-1 i.e. 1, 11, 111 plants
ha-1) and at 30 x 30 cm within and between – row spacing (80
plants plot–1 i.e. 1, 11, 111 plants ha -1) for ridges and flat bed
methods, respectively. Water was uniformly supplied
excluding rainy days to maintain moisture content near field
capacity (20 % w/w) through drip irrigation. Drippers (2 LPS)
were fixed at 50cm spacing in all the laterals. Nitrogen at 50 kg
ha-1 from urea (46% N) was applied to all the plots in two split
doses at 30 and 60 d after planting (DAP). Inflorescences
were manually removed along with weeds preceding
application of N to enhance tuber yield. All the tubers of
safed musli were dug in the last week of October 2000 and
2001 after drying of above ground foliage and completion of
21 weeks of growth (end of October). Fresh tuber yield and
yield attributing characters were recorded on five randomly
selected plants per replication. Dry musli yield of the plants
was also recorded after peeling the tubers using sharp knife
and drying in the sun for a week to a final moisture content of
about 4%.
Expt.-II Plant-to-plant spacing
Field experiments were conducted in 2001 and 2002 to
study the yield attributes and yield of raised bed planted safed
musli as influenced by 5 plant-to-plant spacings (20.0, 22.5,
25.0, 27.5 and 30.0 cm corresponding to 1,00,000, 88,888, 80,000,
72,727 and 66,666 plants ha-1). Row-to-row spacing was 30
cm, irrespective of treatments. The experimental design was
randomized block design with four replications. The individual
plot size was 3 m x 2.4 m i.e 7.20 m2. The crop was planted in
the first week of June 2001 and 2002 and harvested in the last
week of October 2001 and 2002. Preparation of planting units,
planting, fertilizer application, drip irrigation (for raised bed
method), weeding and removal of inflorescence, harvesting
and procedure of recording data on yield attributes and yield
of safed musli were similar to that of experiment on methods
of planting.
Expt.-III Harvesting age
Field experiments were conducted during 2002-03 and
2003-04 to study the yield attributes and yield of raised bed
planted safed musli as influenced by harvesting age (21, 25,
29, 33, 37, 41, 45 and 49 weeks of growth corresponding to
October, November, December, January, February, March, April
and May harvest, respectively). Crop was planted in first
week of June 2002 and 2003 on raised bed at a spacing of 30 x
22.5 cm using small tuber units of safed musli as described
before. The experiment was carried out following randomized
block design with three replications. The individual plot size
was 3 m x 2.4 m i.e. 7.2 m2. All the cultural operations were like
the experiment on methods of planting, excepting time of
harvesting (harvesting age). The crop was harvested on
attainment of age as per the treatments. Data on yield attributes
and yield were recorded as described before.
Expt.-IV Cropping system
A field experiment was conducted during 2003-04 and
2004-05 to study yield and economics of six safed musli based
cropping systems (safed musli as pure crop and intercropped
with early - ICPL 87 (Figure 3), medium - ICPL 87119 or Late -
ICPL 13092 cultivars of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millips.),
hybrid corn cv. Kanchan (Zea mays L.) or sweet corn cv.
Athimadhur (Zea mays L.) and followed by black gram cv. T9
(Phaseolus mungo L.) as sequential crop. The experimental
design was randomized block design with four replications
with plot size was 6.0 m x 4.5 m i.e 27 m2. Safed musli was
planted on raised bed at a spacing of 30.0 x 22.5 cm using
small tuber units as described before in the 4th week of May
2003 and 2004. Pigeon pea (all three types) were planted on
the left side (only) base of raised bed at 1.5 m row-to-row and
60 cm plant-to-plant spacing. Similarly, either hybrid corn or
sweet corn was planted at the base of both side of raised bed
in paired rows (90 cm between pair x 60 cm within pair) and 20
cm plant-to-plant spacing. Both pigeon pea and corn were
planted on 5th and 9th June 2003 and 2004. All the cultural
operations were like the experiment on method of planting.
Extra furrow irrigations at about 10-12 days interval and N at
50 kg ha-1 were applied to support growth of pigeon pea /
corn. Hybrid corn, sweet corn and pigeon pea early type were
harvested in the first week of October 2003 and 2004. Similarly,
medium and late types of pigeon pea were harvested on 3rd
Fig. 3. Field view of safed musli (Chlorophytum
borivilianum) and Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan cv.
ICPL 87) intercropping

305
week of November 2003 and 2004 and 2nd week of January
2004 and 2005, respectively. Yields of pigeon pea and corn,
were recorded after sun drying and threshing. Safed musli
was harvested in the last week of January 2004 and 2005 and
after washing, peeling and sun drying yield of safed musli
was recorded. After harvest of safed musli, beds were manually
leveled and black gram was planted and harvested in 1st week
of February and 3rd week of April, respectively in 2004 and
2005. Seed yield of black gram was recorded after sun drying
and threshing.
Statistical analysis
The data of all the experiments were subjected to
statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique as
applicable to randomized block design [3]. The significance
of treatment variance vs. error variance was tested with
variance (F) ratio at 5% probability level. The two years data
in respect of effect of planting methods, plant-to-plant spacing,
harvesting age and cropping system were pooled after carrying
out Bartlett’s test for homogeneity of variances [9]. Estimation
of the significant of differences between means was based on
a probability level of P < 0.05.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Planting methods
Planting methods showed significant variability in
respect of safed musli yield attributes and yield (Table 1).
Planting of safed musli on raised bed improved safed musli
yield by 49.8 and 33.9%, compared to flat bed and ridge
planting. This could be attributed to higher number of tubers
bunch-1, tuber length and girth and fresh tuber weight and
yield associated with planting on raised bed. Thus, planting
on raised bed had significant advantages in respect of safed
musli yield because tuber grew longer and thicker leading to
increased single tuber weight. This is significant keeping in
view earlier observation that safed musli – fresh tuber ratio
increases with increase in tuber size [6]. Planting on ridges
was not advantageous because during vegetative growth
phase tubers get frequently exposed on account of mobility
of soil with irrigation water from top to bottom of the ridges.
Likewise, planting on flat bed was also not advantageous
owing to relatively short and thin tuber size probably because
of poor soil aeration and drainage. Beside low fresh tuber
yield, such tuber size is known to have low safed musli – fresh
tuber ratio (due to proportionately higher wastage on account
of peeling) and hence low safed musli yield.
Plant spacing
Significant variability in respect of yield attributes and
yield of safed musli were observed due to plant-to-plant
spacing (Table 2). Maximum safed musli yield (995 kg ha-1)
was obtained with 30.0 x 22.5 cm row-to-row and plant-to-
plant spacings and was 20.9, 22.1 and 22.8% higher than 30.0
x 25.0, 30.0 x 27.5 and 30.0 x 30.0 cm spacings, respectively.
This could be ascribed to higher number of tubers per unit
area and fresh tuber yield associated with the former treatment.
The safed musli yields in the treatments representing 30.0 x
22.5 cm and 30.0 x 20.0 cm, however, did not show any
significant variability. At wider spacing (30.0 x 30.0 cm)
Table 1. Yield attributes and yield of safed musli as
influenced by methods of planting (mean 2-years)
Methods of planting
Yield attributes and
yield Flat
bed Ridges
Raised
bed LSD
(0.05)
No. of bunches m-2 11.6 9.5 8.3 1.45
No. of tubers bunch-1 14.2 16.7 20.5 2.61
No. of tubers m-2 165 159 170 26.1
Tuber length (cm) 6.5 7.6 8.9 1.16
Tuber girth (mm) 18.2 19.3 22.7 2.32
Fresh tuber weight
(g tuber-1) 2.0 2.3 2.8 0.58
Fresh tuber yield (t ha-1) 3.36 3.66 4.76 0.58
Safed musli yield
(kg ha-1) 572 640 857 118.9
Table 2. Yield attributes and yield of safed musli grown on raised bed as influenced by plant spacing (mean 2-years)
Plant spacing (cm) Yield attributes and yield
30.0 x 20.0 30.0 x 22.5 30.0 x 25.0 30.0 x 27.5 30.0 x 30.0
LSD (0.05)
No. of bunches m-2 12.4 11.2 9.9 9.0 8.2 1.74
No. of tubers bunch-1 17.9 19.2 18.0 19.4 19.5 2.61
No. of tubers m-2 221 215 178 174 159 34.8
Tuber length (cm) 7.9 8.3 8.5 9.0 9.2 1.45
Tuber girth (mm) 19.5 20.3 21.8 22.5 23.1 3.48
Fresh tuber weight (g tuber-1) 2.4 2.6 2.6 2.7 2.8 0.58
Fresh tuber yield (t ha-1) 5.32 5.59 4.63 4.60 4.45 0.87
Safed musli yield (kg ha-1) 936 995 823 815 810 136.3

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although safed musli tuber tended to grow longer and thicker
than at closer spacing (30.0 x 20.0 cm) but significant
differences in respect of fresh single tuber weight could not
be obtained between the treatments and hence wider spacing
was not advantageous.
Harvesting age
Significant variability on account of differential
harvesting age was observed in respect of yield attributes
and yield of safed musli (Table 3). Harvesting of safed musli
on attainment of 33 weeks growth in the month of January
gave maximum yield 1490 kg ha-1 which was 27.4, 15.5 6.4%
higher than harvesting of crop after 21 (October), 25
(November) and 29 (December) weeks of growth. The recorded
improvement in safed musli yield with January harvest could
be attributed to increased tuber length and girth, fresh single
tuber weight and fresh tuber yield. This is significant in view
of existing practice of collecting tubers from its wild habitat
before drying of above ground leaf foliage and cessation of
south-west monsoon (September). These results probably
suggest re-synthesis and / or re-allocation of metabolites
within plant even after drying of above ground foliage and
therefore needs further investigations. Harvesting beyond
growth of 33 weeks (January) was not advantageous, and
rather, significant decline in safed musli yield was observed
with crop harvest on attainment of 45 (April) and 49 (May)
weeks of growth. The decline in yield of safed musli on account
of late harvest, particularly on attainment of 45 (April) and 49
(May) weeks of growth, was due to decrease in number of
tubers bunch-1 and per unit area-1 and fresh single tuber weight
because of occurrence of tuber red rot disease, causal organism
(Fusarium sp.) of which along with potential yield losses are
being investigated. Further, late harvesting has its own
disadvantages due to hardening of tuber skin causing difficulty
in manual peeling and leading to higher peeling cost.
Cropping system
Cropping system influenced yield of safed musli, gross
and net returns and benefit-cost ratio (Table 4). Safed musli
intercropped with early type pigeon pea (ICPL 87) did not
significantly affect safed musli yield, compared to pure crop
of safed musli.
On the contrary, safed musli intercropped with medium
(ICPL 87119) / late type (ICPL 13092) pigeon pea or hybrid /
sweet corn significantly affected yield of safed musli. This
was because of erect and short stature of pigeon pea cultivar
ICPL 87, compared to ICPL 87119 or ICPL 13092 (data not
Table 4. Yield and economics of safed musli based cropping system (mean 2-years)
* Considering average sale price: safed musli @ Rs.300/kg, pigeon pea @ Rs.15/kg, black gram @ Rs.14/kg and corn @ Rs.6/kg
Yield (t ha-1) Cropping system
Safed
musli Pigeon
pea Corn Black
gram
Goss
return
(’000 Rs
ha-1)
Net return
(’000 Rs ha-1) Benefit -
cost ratio
Safed musli + Pigeon pea early - Black gram 1.02 1.1 - 1.53 344 137 0.66
Safed musli + Pigeon pea medium - Black gram 0.90 1.5 - 1.51 314 110 0.54
Safed musli + Pigeon pea late - Black gram 0.92 1.0 - 1.48 312 124 0.66
Safed musli + hybrid corn - Black gram 0.88 - 1.4 1.25 290 93 0.47
Safed musli + sweet corn - Black gram 0.83 - 1.2 1.24 274 77 0.39
Safed musli (pure) - Black gram 1.05 - - 1.55 337 125 0.59
LSD (0.05) 0.17 - - 0.26 - - 0.08
Table 3. Yield attributes and yield of safed musli as influenced by harvesting age (mean 2-years)
Harvesting age (weeks)
Yield attributes and yield 21 25 29 33 37 41 45 49
LSD
(0.05)
No. of bunches m-2 12.5 12.4 12.3 12.4 12.2 11.9 11.5 10.6 2.61
No. of tubers bunch-1 19.6 20.2 22.0 21.5 22.2 21.0 18.5 18.3 3.48
No. of tubers m-2 245 250 270 266 270 249 212 193 40.6
Tuber length (cm) 8.1 9.0 9.7 10.6 9.8 10.1 9.5 9.6 1.74
Tuber girth (mm) 19.3 21.1 23.8 23.0 23.1 22.6 23.2 23.5 3.19
Fresh tuber weight (g tuber-1) 2.8 2.9 2.9 3.1 2.8 3.0 2.7 2.5 0.58
Fresh tuber yield (t ha-1) 6.86 7.25 7.83 8.25 7.56 7.47 5.72 4.82 1.10
Safed musli yield (kg ha-1) 1170 1290 1400 1490 1380 1340 970 770 203

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shown here). Under intercropping situation, the yield of
pigeon pea was in the following order: medium type > early
type > late type. Although medium type pigeon pea yielded
higher than the early type, but it could not compensate the
reduction in yield of safed musli. Like wise, the yield of hybrid
corn was higher than sweet corn under intercropping situation.
But, performance of safed musli intercropped with hybrid or
sweet corn was not satisfactory as the latter crop adversely
affected yield of safed musli as well as of black gram as
succeeding crop. As sequential crop, black gram yielded
higher when it was preceded either by pure crop of safed
musli or safed musli intercropped with early/medium/late
pigeon pea. But significant seed yield reduction of black
gram was observed if preceded by safed musli intercropped
with hybrid / sweet corn.
Highest gross and net returns and benefit-cost ratio
were obtained in the treatment on safed musli intercropped
with early type pigeon pea and followed by black gram as
sequential crop. All the other treatments were less remunerative
and particularly safed musli intercropped with hybrid / sweet
corn and followed by black gram. The benefit-cost ratios of
different safed musli based cropping system, in general, were
lower than most of the medicinal/ traditional agricultural crops
[8, 14], indicating relatively lower profitability per unit
investment. This was mainly due to high cost of safed musli
planting material (Rs.1,25,000 ha-1) leading to higher cost of
cultivation of safed musli. Therefore, although safed musli
cultivation at present is generally viewed as highly profitable
on account of higher total net income but from the point of
return on investment it is relatively less lucrative. Safed musli
intercropped with pigeon pea (early type) increased benefit-
cost ratio compared to pure crop of safed musli. This was due
to improvement in utilization of growth resources (solar
radiation and soil moisture and nutrients) as a result of
intercropping for various crop combinations [4, 11, 13]. The
compatibility of safed musli and pigeon pea is significant as
safed musli can be grown in areas where pigeon pea is
cultivated in rainy season and will therefore have no additional
land requirement.
These studies demonstrated that planting of C.
borivilianum on raised bed (90 cm wide, 45 cm high and 60 cm
interval) at a spacing of 30.0 x 22.5 cm corresponding to
88, 888 plants ha-1 and harvesting on completion of 33 weeks
growth (January) considerably improved tuber and safed musli
yields. Similarly, gross and net returns and benefit-cost ratio
also improved significantly through intercropping safed musli
with pigeon pea early type and followed by black gram. These
production techniques are expected to increase commercial
cultivation of C. borivilianum in semi-arid tropics.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors thank to Director, CIMAP, Lucknow for
providing necessary facilities and encouragement.
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