Brahmi Herb Farming, Growing Methods, Economics

Introduction to Brahmi Herb Farming:

Today let us disscuss about Brahmi Herb Farming and cultivation practices.

This Brahmi plant is a perennial and creeping herb. This plant is native to Wetlands of the south, India, Asia, North & South America, Africa, Europe, Australia and Eastern Part of India. The Brahmi is originated from the genus of Bacopa. The Brahmi belongs to Plantaginaceae. Brahmi is scientifically named as Bacopa monnieri. The Brahmi is also known as Indian penny-wort, Herb of Grace, Brahmi, water hyssop and thyme – leafed. This herb is used in Ayurvedic medicines.

In India, we find this Brahmi herb in marshy, wet damp and plain areas. There are 20 species of the same genus of small herb. The other species of the Brahmi are Bacopa monnieri and Herpestis monnieri.

Characteristics of Brahmi Herb:

Plant of Brahmi: The plant is creeping herb and they are succulent herb. The branches are roots and nodes are produced at the bottom.

Leaves of Brahmi: The leaves are small fleshy they are a pair, these leaves are arranged on the opposite sides. The leaves are oval in the shape

Flowers of Brahmi: The flowers should be of ovoid, and acute – 2 celled, the flower contains 2 values of capsule and tipped with style base, they are tiny in shape and the flower is blue – whitish in colour. The flowers bloom in the month of Dec – May.

Fruit of Brahmi: The fruit is small in size and the fruit is oval in shape. They come out in the month of December – May.

Seeds of Brahmi: The seeds are dark brown in colour and they are 0.2 – 0.3 mm.

Medicinal Properties of Brahmi Herb:

The Brahmi’s characteristic compounds are herpestine, alkaloids brahmine, dammarane – type, and with jujubagenin we can find the triterpenoin.

Read: Ashwagandha Cultivation.

Health Benefits of Brahmi Herb:

• This improves the respirations.
• This also boosts immunity.
• Brahmi helps in improving skin immunity.
• It will treat epilepsy.
• These will help in treating the insomnia and also deals the mental disorders.
• This will reduce the blood sugar.

Cultivars / Vrieties of Brahmi Herb:

• Subodhak
• Pragyashakti

Cultivation Practices of Brahmi Herb

Soil and Climate requirements for Brahmi Herb Farming:

The soil, which is preferred is acidic soil for its best growth. These can also be planted in sandy, sandy –loamy and light black soils. The pH level should be in normal range.

The climate which is suitable for growing Brahmi is humid climate. The region, which is required for Brahmi Herb Farming is subtropical region. The temperature, which required for the Farming Brahmi is 33 ˚C – 44˚C and the humidity should be about 60 – 65 %. This can be found ideal like optimum vegetative growth.

Land preparation and Planting for Brahmi Herb Farming:

The land should be prepared well by removing the weeds, pebbles etc. Then the land should be ploughed for 2 – 3 times as it attains fine tilth and smooth texture. Followed by the ploughing the land should be levelled and trilled, then the land should be applied with manure. For a hectare of land we need to apply 5 tonnes of farmyard manure.

The cutting should be transplanted into the soil. The pits of about 10 cm * 10 cm should be dug. All this should be done in the month of July – August.

Propagation method for Brahmi Herb Farming:

The propagation of this plant can be done through vegetative propagation. We should cut them into smaller parts of the matured plant with 4 – 6 nodes and this is used for the propagation. The cuttings which are chosen for should be soaked in slurry water to hasten the rooting. These cutting can be planted directly in the main field. The plants will be sprouted and then they will be ready for the establishment.

Manure and Fertilization method in Brahmi Herb Farming:

At the time of the land preparation we need to apply farmyard manure @ 5 tonnes per hectare along with the soil. The field should be supplied with Nitrogen @ 100 g, Phosphorus pentoxide @ 60 kg, Potassium Oxide @ 60 kg per hectare of land.

Irrigation methods in Brahmi Herb Farming:

After the rainy season, it is very important to supply irrigation to the crop.  In winter season for every 20 days we need to irrigate the field and in the summer we need to in irrigate the field for every 15 days.

Intercultural methods in Brahmi Herb Farming:

Weeding: The weeding should be done regularly, after planting for every 15 – 20 days the weeding should be done. For this crop hand weeding is more preferred.

Pest and Disease control measures in Brahmi Herb Farming:

• The pest that attacks the Brahmi is Grasshopper; these will spoil the leaves and also the parts of the plants as they eat them.
• These can be controlled by spraying Nuvacron @ 0.2 % or by using the neem cake.
• There are no specific diseases that attack the Brahmi crop.

Read: Frequently Asked Questions About Plant Diseases.

Harvesting techniques in Brahmi Herb Farming:

After 5 – 6 months, the crop will be ready for harvesting. The best time for harvesting the crop is October – November, as at this time, the maximum biomass is produced. The upper portions of the stem should be cut up to 4 – 5 cm of stem. In a year, 2 – 3 times the harvesting can be done.

Post harvesting techniques in Brahmi Herb Farming:

Drying: After harvesting, then we should follow the traditional method of drying the seeds. They should be spread in a room temperature. This material should be shaded for 8 – 10 days.

Packing: They should be packed in a waterproof polythene bags.

Storage: Once, after they are packed we should store them in a cool and dry room. We should always protect them from insects and other fungal diseases while storing it.

Yield of Brahmi Herb :

The yield of Brahmi completely depends upon the management practices. The average yield Brahmi is 25 – 30 quintal per hectare.

Economics of Brahmi Herb Farming:

For a hectare of land,  the expenditure of Brahmi cultivation  is Rs.34, 000/-

Gross return is @ Rs. 25 per kg of dry Brahmi.

Net Income from Brahmi Cultivation is Rs.1, 64,000/-

Read: Growing Safed Musli.