Shankhpushpi also known as wonderful herb because of its multiple medicinal properties. It is mostly used to make Ayurvedic medicines. Its whole part i.e. leaves, roots, stem and other vegetative parts are used for preparing various drugs. Drugs prepared from Shankhpushpi used for the treatment of Asthma, bronchitis, insomnia, insanity, hematemesis, constipation and some kind of ulcers. It is a perennial herb with average height of 2-3 inches in height. Leaves are oblong having light blue flowers and 6-10 black seeds. It is mainly grown in India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Meharauni and Lalitpur forest ranges are major Shankhpushpi growing areas in India.

It can grow in variety of soil ranging from black cotton soil to loamy soil having good drainage system. It gives best result in red sandy loam soil. It can also tolerate marginal lands having proper drainage system. The soil having pH 5.5-7 suits best for the crop.

Sodhala: The variety has white and blue color flowers.

Vishnukarnta (Evolovulus alsinoides): The variety has only blue color flowers.

For Shankhpushpi plantation, it required well pulverized soil in May month. For land preparation, land is ploughed two times before cultivation. Application of FYM @4-6 tonnes/acre is mixed well with soil before monsoon. Land is divided into small beds of convenient length and breadth.

Time of sowing
Sowing is done after first shower of monsoon i.e in the first week of July.

Spacing
Use line spacing of 30cm x 30cm.

Method of Sowing
Seeds are sown by broadcasting or transplanting method.

Sow Shankhpushpi seeds on prepared nursery beds of convenient length and width. After sowing spray water on seeds for moisture.
25-30 days transplanting is done in the main fields. Transplanting is done at the spacing of 30cm x 30cm. After transplanting light irrigation is done to moist the fields. 

Seed Rate
For good growth, use seed rate of 4-6kg/acre for broadcast method.  

Sow Shankhpushpi seeds on prepared nursery beds of convenient length and width. After sowing spray water on seeds for moisture. 25-30 days transplanting is done in the main fields.

Transplanting is done at the spacing of 30cm x 30cm. After transplanting light irrigation is done to moist the fields.

At the time of land preparation, application of organic manure i.e. FYM (Farm Yard Manure) is given for two times i.e. one at the time of ploughing and second at the time of sowing. No fertilizer dose is given as the crop is mainly grown in left over areas or in marginal areas.

Do frequent weedings to keep field weed free. Mainly 2-3 weedings are done. First weeding is to be done in 15-20 days after sowing and then second weeding is done in next 1-2 months after first weeding.

Too much irrigation is not required during rainy season but in dry season lifesaving irrigation is required.

Harvesting is done in January-May month after 4-5 days of transplanting. First the flowering start in the month of October and then seeds develop in the month of December. For harvesting first the field is watered and then uprooting of whole plant is done. For processing whole plant is used.

After harvesting, drying is done. Then dried plant is packed in nylon or poly bags. Packed materials are sent through transportation at different places. To decrease spoiling of crop perfect packing is to be done. From dried material several products like churna, capsules, tonic and many other products are made after processing.

1.Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana

2.Department of Agriculture

3.Indian Agricultural Research Instittute, New Delhi

4.Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research

5.Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare