Influence of water availability and potting media on the performance of Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Nees.)

Andrographis paniculata Nees contains a bitter compound called andrographolide is commonly used for medicinal purposes. The herb has been revered for treating infectious diseases and highly regarded also as having a preventive effect from many diseases, due to its powerful immune strengthening benefits. Scientists today, however, are focusing on the herb's application in treating the ‘killer' diseases that blight modern life, such as heart disease and cancer. Therefore to investigate whether sand amendments to soil could improve both soil properties and A. paniculata performance. We report the results of a research carried out in India to determine the effectiveness of different levels of sand amendments to soil and water patterns using A. paniculata. The present study was conducted with the objectives to determine optimum water requirements and impact of potting media on the growth behavior A. paniculata. Four different growing media including 1:0 soil + sand, 1:1 soil + sand , 1:3 soil + sand and 0:1 soil + sand were used to observe the growth medium that is most suitable for the growth of A. paniculata. The overall best performance was recorded in medium 1:1 soil + sand that were watered daily followed by soil alone and 1:3 soil + sand amendment. The least performance was observed in sand alone with alternate water pattern. But during the first thirty days, root length was observed highest in plants grown in sand alone.