Nutrient Management Strategies in Medicinal, Aromatic and Dye Yielding Crops in Rainfed Regions

摘要

Plant based natural products of pharmaceutical importance, flavour fragrance and dyes are gaining importance. The WHO has reported that over 80% of the population in developing countries meets their primary health care importance through traditional means. Medicinal, aromatic and dye crops (MAPDs) are viable options to be introduced into semiarid rainfed regions to increase the income of the small and marginal farmers. Medicinal plants are perennial in nature, so nutrient depletion may be a cause of concern for sustaining higher yields. The nutrient requirement of MAPDs is different from those of agricultural crops. Since these crops are recently introduced into cultivation, the information on nutrient removal and requirements is meager. The limited research results revealed that application of major, secondary and micro nutrients either as organic or fertiliser sources improved the yields and quality of the MAPDs. Present paper is an attempt to review the research work done on nutrient requirement of MAPDs in rainfed regions of India.