Evaluation of Seasonal Variation in Relation to Secondary Metabolite and Biomass Production of Andrographis paniculata

Abstract

The present study is aimed at investigating the effects of variation in secondary metabolites and biomass production of Andrographis paniculatato obtain better yield and market value. The seasonal dynamics of A. paniculata was carried out on Kharif and Rabi seasons in two successive years at 2007 and 2008. A. paniculata genotype was screened to assess the andrographolide accumulation and its yield components on two harvesting dates corresponding to calendar months of June and November. The results revealed that last week of October ideal for obtaining maximum dry herbage (931.3 kg/ha) and total andrographolide yield (29.05 kg/ha), respectively. On the basis of relative estimates of total andrographolide is higher in February (3.12%) than September (1.85%).