Most of the medicinal and aromatic plants are indigenous while the others are easily adaptable and offer best opportunity for introduction in the present agricultural system. These plants contain active constituents like mucilages, phenols, anthroquinones,tannins, coumarins, anthocyanins, flavonoids, glycosilinates, saponins, volatile oils, glycocides, alkaloids, vitamins and minerals etc., but systematic researches are required to understand the mode of action of these active ingredients in the body and to standardize their consumable doses. The book covers more than seventy beneficial medicinal and aromatic plants of the country. Several of these are popular ayurvedic medicines. Ashwagandha, Kalmegh, konch, Shatavar are some of these plants. Some of the described plants like Neem, Babul, Pyrethrum are known for their insceticidal/germicidal properties. Aroma of some plants are used in cosmetic, food and brewing industries. Jatropha is gaining importance as bio-diesel and some of the other plants, valued for industrial purpose are also included. There is an ample scope for commercial cultivation of most of these plants. Export of some of these plants is progressive and earns a great deal of foreign exchange for the country. The chapters included in this book have a precise introduction of each plant, its identification, botanical characters, advanced practices for cultivation with latest available varieties/cultures of plants. Chemical constituents with medicinal principle and therapeutic significance of each plant is described. The economics for cultivation is also given for each plant. The book will benefit the readers, cultivators, medical practitioners, students, botanists, entrepreneurs and the farmers.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Akshey Kumar Pathak
Dr. Akshey Kumar Pathak graduated from the University of Jodhpur in 1974 and post graduated in Plant Pathology from Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur University in 1977. Separate department of Nematology came into existence in 1978 and Dr. Pathak joined the team of pioneer workers in the discipline of Nematlogy as lecturer (Research) in All India Coordinated Research Project on Nemotode Pests of Crops and their Control. He submitted his Ph.D. on reniform Nematode infecting tomatoes to the Rajasthan Agricultural University in the year 1990 as an in service candidate. Presently Dr. Pathak is working in non-plan research project and takes the charge as Master Trainer, Plant Pathology in zone III be of Rajasthan. He has to his credit more than 50 research papers published in reputed journals, more than 70 popular articles in various books and magazines and more than 40 radio broadcasts from Prasar Bharti. He was honoured by the Chief Minister of Rajasthan for outstanding writing in the field of agriculture. He has four books to his credit.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Suresh Muralia
Dr. Suresh Muralia graduated from the S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner (Jaipur) in 1987 and thereafter post-graduated in Plant Breeding and Genetics from the same institution in 1990. He was awarded Ph.D. in 1994. He started his career as Research Associate in mustard hybrid project at Agricultural Research Station, Navgaon. He was selected as Assistant Professor, Plant Breeding in 1996. Dr. Muralia is a scrupulous researcher and is actively engaged with various All India Coordinated Research Projects viz. Wheat, Barely, Rape-seed Mustard, Millets and Arid legumes etc. His name is associated with release of developed varieties of some important like of mustard, groundnut and guar. His published work includes fifteen research papers in reputed journals and twenty popular articles in papers and magazines, besides about twelve radio broadcasts from Prasar Bharti. He has been able to develop a beautiful herbarium of medicinal and aromatic plants at A.R.S., Navgoan where more than ninety species are raised for live demonstration to the farmers and cultivators.
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