Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root quality influenced by different crop harvesting stages and varieties Nainwal Rakesh Chandra*, Niranjan Abhishek, Singh Devendra, Tewari S.K. C.S.I.R.-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226001, Uttar Pradesh, India *Corresponding author e-mail: nainwal.rakesh@gmail.com
Online published on 20 June, 2022. Abstract Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal), is one of the important commercial medicinal plant in Ayurveda. Its roots are used for the treatment of various physiological disorders. The superiority of this medicinal plant strongly depends on its high quality root yield. There are meagre reports on its field studies to obtain high amount of quality roots. Therefore, efforts were made to develop suitable agro technology with different varieties in partially improved sodic land for its viable sustainable utilization for farmers. In present investigation four varieties viz., NMITLI-101, NMITLI-108, NMITLI-118 and NMITLI-135, were evaluated for higher quality root yield, obtained at three different harvesting stages viz., 100% flowering, berry ripening and at maturity. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and Free Radical Scavenging Activity (FRSA) of root extract of these four varieties at different growth stages of W. somnifera were analysed. Variety NMITLI-101 provides higher root biomass, when harvested at maturity followed by berry ripening. Higher values for TPC (8.76 mg/g), TFC (8.05 mg/g) and FRSA (41.2%) were exhibited in root of NMITLI-118, at maturity followed by berry ripening stage. However, the highest values of TPC, TFC and FRSA of root extract for all four varieties were obtained at maturity. Higher quality of root at maturity stage proves scientifically, traditional claims of harvesting of W. somnifera (NMITLI-118 variety) at maturity. Top Keywords FRSA, Harvesting stage, Root yield, Total phenolic content, Total flavonoid content, Withania somnifera. Top |