About Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Research Station, Odakkali (KAU) Medicinal and aromatic plants occupy a prime position in the research profile of Kerala Agricultural University. The Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Research Station was established on 15th March 1951 as "Lemongrass Breeding Station” under the Department of Industries of the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin Government. Consequent to the formation of Kerala Agricultural University in 1972, the station became an integral part of the University's research net work. Diversifying the research emphasis of the centre to cover all other tropical aromatic and medicinal plants, the station was renamed as Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Research Station (AMPRS) in 1982. MANDATE To act as the Lead Centre for aromatic and medicinal plants research Exploration, conservation and documentation of the existing economically important herb species; utilisation of the genetic variability for crop improvement, multiplication and supply of authentic and quality planting materials, standardisation of agro technology for economic crop production, quality standardisation studies and development of post harvest technology are the major activities. Apart from Kerala agricultural university financial support for the various research, development and extension activities are received from agencies like from National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of Agriculture (Govt, of India), Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment MAJOR RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS Crop improvement AMPRS is recognized as the largest genetic biodiversity conservation centre in the world on lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) with 450 accessions. OD-19 (Sugandhi) variety released by KAU is the most popular and nationally accepted lemongrass variety. Germplasm of palmarosa, vetiver, citronella, galanga and long pepper are also maintained at this station. ODP-1 (Amaravathi) and ODP-2 (Haldwani) selections of palmarosa, ODV-3 (Nilambur) selection of vetiver are better types identified from the respective germplasm. Two hundred and fifty accessions of cinnamon are maintained here. Sugandhini (ODC-130) is a eugenol-rich leaf oil yielding cinnamon variety released from this station with a leaf oil yield of 300 ml/tree/yr and eugenol 94%. Agro-technology Agrotechnology for cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants suited to Kerala has been developed. Optimum seed rate, viability of seeds, planting density, methods of planting, fertilizers and manuring practices, nutrient uptake and requirement, weed control measures, nursery techniques, harvesting stage and techniques, post-harvest handling requirement etc. of many aromatic and medicinal plants have been standardized. Post harvest technology 1 The distillation and oil extraction technology of various aromatic plants involving design of equipment, duration of distillation, optimum steam requirement, pre-distillation treatment of materials, storage and handling of essential oils etc. have been studied in detail and procedures were standardized. Extraction of oleoresin from lemongrass was standardized. Post harvest technology of a number of medicinal plants recommended for cultivation also has been standardized. Quality standardization Regional Analytical Laboratory at AMPRS, Odakkali established by the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operation, Government of India for quality evaluation of aromatic and medicinal plants during 1993 is one among the five approved quality control laboratories. Identification of active principles in selected medicinal plants, quality standardization and evaluation of medicinal plants, aromatic oils, crude drugs and drug formulations in line with international quality requirement are being undertaken. FACILITIES Facilitation centre for medicinal plants: A Facilitation Centre for medicinal plants, funded by National Medicinal Plants Board, New Delhi is functioning at the centre. The main objective of this centre is to provide proper knowledge on importance and scope of the medicinal plants, demand of crude drugs, market possibilities and economics. Information on cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants, seed germination techniques, pest and diseases management, harvesting, processing, market possibilities of crude drugs etc will be available from this centre. Workshops and trainings on various aspects of production, cultivation and utilization of medicinal plants will be conducted at various districts mainly for farmers and industrialists. CDs, leaflets, books as well as planting materials of medicinal and aromatic plants are also available from this centre. Farm: A well laid out farm of 12.5 ha where bulk cultivation of lemon grass and medicinal plants are undertaken along with the different experiments. Distillation unit: A facility for bulk distillation of essential oils with a capacity of 500 Kg at a time. Herbal garden: A collection of about 500 medicinal plants that are used in ayurveda, tribal and folklore medicines as well as other indigenous systems of medicine are maintained in green house as well as in microplots. Commercially important plants are cultivated in large area plots. The largest collection of lemongrass germplasm (450 accessions) is maintained at AMPRS, Odakkali Medicinal trees Conservation Park: About 50 species of rare and important medicinal trees are maintained in an area of 2 ha. 25-50 nos. of each species have been planted in a well laid out manner Nursery center: Bulk production of planting materials of medicinal and aromatic plants are being carried out for distribution Regional Analytical Laboratory: A laboratory with sophisticated equipments for quality standardization and evaluation of medicinal plants, aromatic oils, crude drugs and drug formulations Quality testing services offered to the public from Regional Analytical Laboratory a. Quality evaluation of aromatic oils 2 Citral in lemongrass Geraniol in palmarosa Patchoulinol on patchouli b. Quality evaluation of medicinal plants and crude drugs Plumbagin content of leadwort (Chethikoduveli) Hydroxy citric acid content in Garcinia gummi-gutta Curcumin in turmeric, wild zedoary, wild turmeric Piperin in pepper, thippali Curculigoside in nilappana Total tannin in asoka bark Extractive value of sappan wood Strychnine alkaloids in strychnos seed and bark c. Identification of crude drugs by TLC/HPLC d. Custom standardization Methods for quality evaluation can be standardized for specific plants and products e. Content of toxic element Estimation of mercury, arsenic, cadmium and lead in crude drugs and products Web site of the station: The web site of the station (http://www.kau.edu/amprs) was developed and made available to public Agri clinic: Farmers visiting the Agri-clinic attached to Information and Sales Centre of this station are given advices on the cultivation of different crops including aromatic and medicinal crops and solving their problems in pest and disease management Information and Sales Centre: Planting materials, KAU products and publications are available here. A number of leaflets, research papers and books are brought out for effective transfer of technology. A CD on ‘Medicinal and Aromatic Plants’ has been developed and is available for sale. Sub-surface dyke: For ground water conservation technology and for water-shed management. Training facilities: Conduct trainings programmes to farmers and officers. A well furnished training hall with a seating capacity of 70 trainees. Audio visual aids like LCD projector, OHP, slide projector and computer. Meteorological observatory: A standard class B Meteorological observatory has been established. Library: A good library on medicinal and aromatic plants comprising about 1000 books and 20 periodicals being currently subscribed along with their back volumes Address for communication Professor & Head Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Research Station, Odakkali, Asamannoor P.O., Perumbavoor (via) Ernakulam District, Kerala, India, PIN-683 549. Tel: (0484) 2658221 (M) 9447873922; Fax: (0484) 2659881 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] Website: http://www.kau.edu/amprs 3 .