Medicinal coleus (Coleus forskohlii Briq)
Liliaceae

Varieties
Maimul, Manganiperu, Garmai are some of the popular varieties.

Soil and Climate
Well drained red loamy soils are suited for cultivation. Water stagnation should be avoided. Crop thrives best in areas receiving 70 cm annual rainfall.

Seed and seed rate
The crop is propagated through terminal cuttings (10 cm)

Season
Planting is done during June – July.

Planting
Planting is done at 60 x 45 cm spacing (37,030 plants/ha). In low fertile soils, planting is done at 60 x 30 cm which requires 55, 500 plants/ha.

 
Planting of rooted cuttings

Irrigation
Irrigation is given immediately after planting and subsequently at weekly intervals of time.

Manuring
Incorporate 15 t/ha of FYM during last ploughing. NPK at 30:60:50 kg/ha is applied in two split doses at 30 and 45 days after planting. Apply 10 kg ZnSo4/ha to avoid micronutrient deficiency.

Plant protection
Nematode
1. Crop rotation with Sorghum and Maize can be maintained
2. Planting of marigold along the sides of channels control nematode population
3. Apply 200 kg/ha of neem cake before planting
4. Apply 15 – 20 kg/ha of Carbofuran to control the infestation

Root rot
Trichoderma viridi @ 5 kg/ha is mixed with well rottened FYM and applied twice at 20 days interval.

Bacterial wilt
Drench 300 ppm of Streptocycline to control the wilt. Also apply Pseudomonas fluorescence 5 kg/ha by mixing it with well rottened FYM.

Harvest
Harvest can be done at 5 – 6 months after planting. Harvesting must be done without any damage to the tubers.

Yield
Fresh tubers             :           15 – 20 t/ha
Dry tubers                :           2000 – 2200 kg/ha

           Cleaning of harvested tubers