1. Chlorophytum borivilianum / Safed Musali is grown since ancient times as an important herbal medicine. It has huge demand in domestic as well as international market and therefore fetches a good price. Safed Musali is also known as white gold. Chlorophytum borivilianum is a energizing heart tonic used as a potency drug. It is rich in carbohydrates and proteins but poor in oil and fats so recommended for patients with high blood pressure and heart ailments. It contains medically important components such as saponin (4-17 per cent) and sapogenin (0.17-0.18 per cent). Introduction:

2. Plant Chlorophytum borivilianum Chlorophytum borivilianum Roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum

3. Safed Musali is propagated through seeds as well as by small sprouts on roots called, propagules. Seeds: Safed Musali Seeds are black in color and angular in shape which take 12-16 days to sprout. Seeds sown in well prepared and manured seed bed in the first or second week of June and adequate irrigation be provided in absence of rain. 18-20 kg of seeds are sufficient for 1 ha area plantation. Propagation Method:

4. Propagules: Chlorophytum borivilianum produces small sprouts on its fleshy roots. These are called as propagules. Even a small, 1 cm long and slightly shrunken fleshy root or root stock has a capacity to reproduce into a new plant. Safed Musali is popularly propagated by this method. Roots sprout from second week of May to second week of June. The sprouted fleshy propagules should be planted in the field in first or second week of June, followed by irrigation. About 80,000 fingers (1000-1200 kg) of root stocks is required for planting 1ha land. Propagation Method:

5. Safed Musali grows well up to 1500 Mean Sea Level, rainfall between 500-750 mm. It can tolerate temperatures as high as 45 o C. Very low temperatures are detrimental. Alluvial, well drained soil rich in organic matter and pH 5.5 to 7.0 is recommended Varieties:- RC-2, 16, 36, 20, 23 and CT-1 selections of Agricultural University, Udaipur, have good yield and saponin content. Safed Musali Varieties like MDB-13 and MDB-14 are high yielding, insect, disease and fungus resistant. Soil and Climate for Nursery

6. Safed musali seedlings grow well on well prepared seedbeds in good tilth. The nursery area must be given 1 deep ploughing followed by 2-3 harrowing. Sufficient FYM or leaf litter must be incorporated in seed bed soil @ 2-3 kg per square meter area. Planting Material:- Fingers / tubers used for planting should have part of crown and should be free from pests and diseases. Planting materials should be treated with humicil (humic acid) @ 5 ml/ litre of water, Diathane M-45 @ 5 gm / litre of water. Dipping tubers in cow urine for 5 minutes is a recommended practice. Bed Preparation:

7. Vermicompost or FYM are recommended sources of nutrients. Green manure like Sesbenia, Crotalaria, Pillipesara may be used. Leaf spot, anthracnose are observed in nursery which can be controlled by spraying neem, chrysanthemum or tobacco extracts up to permitted levels. Trichoderma application can be very effective. Irrigating with drip or sprinkler irrigation system is effective. Schedule varies with soil and climate. Irrigation water must not be saline. Regular weeding produces healthy and vigorous plants. Using chemical herbicides is not advisable. Nursery Care: