Database on medicinal plants used in ayurveda - AYUSH Research ...

Hyoscyamus niger Linn., seeds of Sterculia alata Royle Linn., dried latex of
Lactuca indica Linn., roasted seeds of Pterygota alata R. Br. are used as
substitute (Anonymous, 2000a).
PROPAGATION AND CULTIVATION
Popularly known as „Poppy‟, the plant is cultivated as a rabi crop on fertile,
medium loamy, sandy loam-to-loam textured soils with good structure and
having well drained subsoil. Land is prepared in September by repeated
ploughing and harrowing. It should be enriched with FYM, compost and
green manure. Application of NPK fertilizers increases the yield. Sowing is
done in the month of November when the temperature is preferably in the
range of 20-23�C. Broadcasting method of sowing requires about 6-7 kg
seeds/ha whereas row sowing method requires 5-6 kg seeds/ha.
Optimum moisture, proper irrigation along with weeding and hoeing are
necessary for successful cultivation of the crop. Harvesting is done by
incising the capsules at a particular phase of plant growth. Collection period
extends from January to April or sometimes to June (Anonymous, 1966;
Wallis, 1967; Singh et al., 1995). Application of 100 kg/ha of sulphur
significantly increases yield of latex, seed and capsule husk of opium poppy.
IAA and thiourea increase significantly the N, K, S contents in leaves as well
as the girth of capsules, latex yield and morphine contents (Intodia and Sahu,
2003).
The cultivation of opium poppy in India is entrusted to cultivators under
licences issued by the District Opium Officers of different areas. The licensed
cultivators undertake, on behalf of the Government, to sow the poppy, lance
the capsules, collect the latex and deliver it to the centers at a price fixed by
the Government (Anonymous, 1966).
Somatic embryogenesis of P. somniferum was reported using hypocotyl part
of in vitro grown seeds. Callus was initiated by culturing the explant on
solidified Gamborg's (B5) medium within 6 weeks. Embryos were observed
when 4 gm of callus was cultured on 40 ml of plain B5 medium after 5 days.
The entire plantlet was formed within 10 weeks. High yield of embryogenesis
was induced by subculturing the callus on plain B5 medium at an interval of
5 days as reported by Schuchmann and Wellmann, (1983).
Organogenesis and plant regeneration was achieved in P. somniferum
through anther culture. Anthers from closed buds were selected as explants
and cultured on A19 medium supplemented with 2 mg/L 2,4-D, 0.5 mg/L
IAA, 0.5 mg/L BA and 1 mg/L Kn to form callus. Before callusing the
anthers were given cold treatment at 7�C which proved effective for plantlet
regeneration. Calli when transferred to MS medium with 0.1 mg/L BAP and
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