Current Good Cultivation Practices
Current Good Cultivation Practices
Objectives
At the end of this lecture, student will be able to
ü Discuss the different guidelines for Current Good Agricultural Practices
Current Good Cultivation Practices
ü Cultivation of medicinal plants requires intensive care and management
ü The conditions and duration of cultivation required vary depending on the quality of medicinal plant materials required
ü If no scientific published or documented cultivation data are available, traditional methods of cultivation should be followed, where feasible. Otherwise a method should be developed through research
Site selection
ü Medicinal plant materials derived from the same species can show significant differences in quality when cultivated at different sites, owing to the influence of soil, climate and other factors
ü These differences may relate to physical appearance or to variations in their constituents, the biosynthesis of which may be affected by extrinsic environmental conditions
ü Risks of contamination as a result of pollution of the soil, air or water by hazardous chemicals should be avoided
ü The impact of past land uses on the cultivation site, including the planting of previous crops and any applications of plant protection products, should be evaluated
Ecological environment and social impact
ü Cultivation of medicinal plants may affect the ecological balance and, in particular, the genetic diversity of the flora and fauna in surrounding habitat
ü The quality and growth of medicinal plants can also be affected by other plants, other living organisms and by human activities
ü The introduction of non-indigenous medicinal plant species into cultivation may have a detrimental impact on the biological and ecological balance of the region
ü The social impact of cultivation on local communities should be examined to ensure that negative impacts on local livelihood are avoided.
ü If large-scale medicinal plant cultivation is or has been established, care should be taken that local communities benefit directly from, for example, fair wages, equal employment opportunities and capital reinvestment.
Climate:
ü Climatic conditions, for example, length of day, rainfall (water supply) and field temperature, significantly influence the physical, chemical and biological qualities of medicinal plants
ü The duration of sunlight, average rainfall, average temperature, including daytime and night-time temperature differences, also influence the physiological and biochemical activities of plants, and prior knowledge should be considered
Soil:
ü Soil should contain appropriate amounts of nutrients, organic matter and other elements to ensure optimal medicinal plant growth and quality
ü Optimal soil conditions, including soil type, drainage, moisture retention, fertility and pH
ü The use of fertilizers is often indispensable in order to obtain large yields of medicinal plants. It is, however, necessary to ensure that correct types and quantities of fertilizers are used through agricultural research
ü In practice, organic and chemical fertilizers are used
ü Human excreta must not be used as a fertilizer owing to the potential presence of infectious microorganisms or parasites
ü Animal manure should be thoroughly composted to meet safe sanitary standards of acceptable microbial limits
ü Any applications of animal manure should be documented. Chemical fertilizers that have been approved by the countries of cultivation and consumption should be used
ü All fertilizing agents should be applied sparingly and in accordance with the needs of the particular medicinal plant species and supporting capacity of the soil
ü Growers should implement practices that contribute to soil conservation and minimize erosion
Irrigation and drainage:
Ø Irrigation and drainage should be controlled and carried out in accordance with the needs of the individual medicinal plant species during its various stages of growth
Ø Water used for irrigation purposes should comply with local, regional and/or national quality standards
Ø Care should be exercised to ensure that the plants under cultivation are neither over- nor under-watered.
Plant maintenance and protection:
ü The growth and development characteristics of individual medicinal plants, as well as the plant part destined for medicinal use, should guide field management practices
ü The timely application of measures such as pruning and shading may be used to control the growth and development of the plant, thereby improving the quality and quantity of the medicinal plant material being produced
ü Any agrochemicals used to promote the growth of or to protect medicinal plants should be kept to a minimum, and applied only when no alternative measures are available
ü Integrated pest management should be followed, only approved pesticides and herbicides should be applied at the minimum effective level, in accordance with the labelling and/or package insert instructions
ü Only qualified staff using approved equipment should carry out pesticide and herbicide applications.
ü The minimum interval between such treatments and harvest should be consistent with the labelling and/or package insert
ü Growers and producers should comply with maximum pesticide and herbicide residue limits, as stipulated by local, regional and/or national regulatory authorities
ü International agreements such as the International Plant Protection Convention and Codex Alimentarius should also be consulted on pesticide use and residues
Summary
ü Site selection - Same species can show significant differences in quality when cultivated at different sites, owing to the influence of soil, climate and other factors
ü Differences may relate to physical appearance or to variations in their constituents, the biosynthesis
ü Ecological environment and social impact
ü Climatic conditions, for example, length of day, rainfall (water supply) and field temperature
ü Soil - appropriate amounts of nutrients, organic matter and other elements, Irrigation and water
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