KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
Aromatic & Medicinal Plants Research Station
Odakkali, Asamannoor P.O., Eranakulam District, Kerala State
PIN : 683 549, Tel: (0484) 658221
AROMATIC AND MEDICINAL PLANTS RESEARCH STATION AT A GLANCE
1. Introduction
From its modest begining as lemongrass Breeding Station in 1951 this centre has come
out as an internationally reknowned research institution on aromatic and medicinal plants
under the Kerala Agricultural University. For the past five years the station has made
tremendous progress both in terms of research acomplishment and infrastructural
development despite the fact that it was not brought under National Agriculatural Research
Project (NARP). Conducting of the National Seminar on Tropical Essential Oils at Cochin
is a gloring tribute to the significant achievements of the station in this field.
2. Major research accomplishments
Crop improvement, crop management and post harvest technology are the major areas
of research undertaken at this centre. The salient research findings are mentioned here.
a) Largest germplasm collection of lemongrass comprising 450 accessions.
b) The most widely accepted lemongrass variety, OD-19 (Sugandhi) is a major
contribution.
c) ODP-2 in palmarosa and ODV - 3 in Vetiver are superior superior selections
indentified in these crops.
d) Cinnamon type ODC-130 yielding eugenol as high as 93% has been identified.
e) Crops like clocimum, Jammu lemongrass, sweet basil, citronella etc were introduced
to this state by this station.
f) Breeding techniques in lemongrass and palmarosa have been standardised.
g) Package of practices for major aromatic crops have been standaridized.
h) Distillation methods for various essential oil yielding crops have been standardized.
i) Methods of long term storage of essential oils have been developed.
j) Suitability of cultivation of various medicinal plants in coconut garden was
demonstrated.
k) A herbal garden comprising of about 350 species of medicinal plants have been
established.
l) The Phytochemical laboratory in the station has been recognised as one of the five
Regional Analytical Laboratories for aromatic and medicinal plants in the
country.
m) Method of extraction of principal constituents of selected medicinal plants have been
standardised.
n) The only scientifically laid out and functional subsurface dyke was established at this
station for ground water exploitation.
3. Infrastructural Development
a) Phytochemical laboratory: A modern phytochemical laboratory has been constructed
and equipped with sophisticated equipments.
b) A nursery on medicinal and aromatic plants has been established.
c) A farm store has been constructed for the storage of farm produce.
d) Protective fencing has been provided in Block No.10 & 13-15.
e) Motorable approach road has been constructed to every block of the farm.
f) Block No.10 has been developed and earmarked for medicinal plants by adopting soil
conservation measures.
g) Better amenities have been provided for staff and labourers by constructing labourers'
waiting shed, providing drinking water facilities, etc.
h) All the available water sources have been fully exploited and a bore well has been
constructed.
i) All the blocks have been brought under irrigation by constructing a master water tank
of one lakh litre capacity.
j) Distillation technology was modernized by installing a fuel efficient stainless steel
unit.
4 Steps taken for increasing farm revenue.
a) All the cultivable area has been brought under cultivation.
b) All the major perennial crops have been brought under irrigation through efficient
irrigation systems like drip, sprinkler, etc.
c) Avenue planting of coconuts, pepper, nutmeg and clove has been undertaken.
d) Block 10 having an area of 3.5 acres, which was previously left barren was developed
and brought under remunerative crops.
e) Modernization of bulk distillation unit resulted not only in increasing the oil yield but
also in fuel saving. Purchase of 100 t/yr of scarce and costly fire wood has been
completely dispensed with by judicious management of farm waste.
f) A nursery has been started for the production and supply of medicianl plants.
g) High value timber trees like teak have been planted on the border of the farm.
5. Extension and other activities.
The station continues to be the main centre for seed supply of aromatic crops like
lemongrass, palmarosa etc in the country. With the elevation of the research station to
national status, demand for technical know - how comes from every knook and corner of
the country and even from abroad. Regular correspondance is maintained with farmers,
extension personnel and industrialists on various aspects of cultivation and utilisation of
medicinal and aromatic crops. Scientists of the station act as resource personnel for the
KAEP of Idukki district. Students and staff of various colleges and vocational higher
secondary school as well as agricultural department personnel regularly visit the station.
6. Constraints
The following constraints are experienced in the day-to-day administration and
research activities of this station.
a) Lack of funds for library : Since this is a specialised field of research, reference
materials are not available in any of the other libraries of the University or in nearby
places. No funds have been earmarked so far for developing this facility at this
station with the result that sufficient reference material is not available in this
station. Since most of the advanced research publications in this field are from
abroad, an annual provision of Rs. 50,000.00 is required to build up the library with
basic reference materials.
b) Difficulties in administrative and financial matters : More administrative and
financial powers may be delegated to head of station. For example, non delegation of
financial powers for buying books, very low financial power for meeting expenditure
on refreshments, local purchase of essential materials etc.
c) Problems from Sales tax authorities : Since this station has a sales tax registration at
Perumbavoor circle, it is treated as any other commcercial trading establishment,
thereby creating hardships and harrassmenmt from S.T. authorities. A case of
revenue recovery is pending against the station. This seriously hinders the sale of
farm produce. The matter may be urgently taken up with the revenue department for
waiving the revenue recovery and for the cancellation of sales tax registration.
d) Sharing of vehicle with R.R.S., Vytilla : As the station does not possess a vehicle, the
jeep available at R.R.S., Vytilla is being shared whenever need arises. However great
difficulty is being felt due to the enforcement of fuel restrictions for the vehicle. The
fuel ceiling is prescribed for the vehicle without taking into consideration the fact that
the vehicle is to cater to the requirement of Odakkali station also. Separate provision
of at least 100 litres of fuel per month may be alloted for the jeep for meeting the
requirements of the station also.
e) Full utilisation of the research facilities in the Regional Analytical Laboratory : A
phytochemical laboratory for undertaking advanced research on medicinal and
aromatic plants has been established at the station and the laboratory is recognised as
one of the five Regional Analytical Laboratories for medicinal and aromatic plants in
the country. It may be recognised as an advanced research laboratory for medicinal
and aromatic plants at the University level so that students also can make use of the
facilities available in the laboratory.
7. Future outlook
Having built up the necessary infrastructural facilities for research, more emphasis will
be given to both basic and applied aspects of post harvest technology of essential oils.
Research will be directed to extraction, isolation, identification and utilisation of natural
products in addition to the already identified thrust areas of research. Synthesis of natural
based commercial products like disinfectants, bioinsecticides / repellents, natural
colouring/flavouring agents, medicinal principles etc will be attempted. A systematic
survey of the Western Ghats for medicinal and aromatic plants will be conducted for their
potential exploitation. Technologies for large scale as well as homestead cuiltivation of
export potential aromatic plants and viable agroforestry systems will be developed.
With the ever growing export potential of these natural products, an increasing need is
felt for quality testing. The laboratory is envisaged to take up this futuristic role of quality
testing and monitoring for the benefit of both the cultivators and the exporters.
Realising the potential role of genetic engineering and biotechnology in natural product
synthesis, a beginning will be made in this line to meet the future challenge. Also to meet
the large demand of planting materials of medicinal plants in future, a centre for the large
scale production of tissue culture plants will be established.
Research activities will be geared up to elevate this centre to the status of a Centre of
Excellence on aromatic and medicinal plants in the country.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR & HEAD