Identification of potential accessions of Asparagus racemosus for root yield and shatavarin IV content

Successful restoration of over exploited species (Asparagus racemosus) depends upon variability, conservation and cultivation. Twelve elite accessions were characterized for fifteen quantitative and qualitative traits for sustainable cultivation and industrial uses. The evaluated accessions varied in morphology, herbage, root yield and shatavarin IV content. The accession DAR-7 was showing maximum herbage yield (1860 and 1850 g plant(-1)), fresh root weight (36.33 and 37.33 g plant(-1)), root girth (18.25 and 18.45 cm) and root yield (14.26 and 12.79 kg plant(-1)) in both the harvesting years. Shatavarin IV content in roots was maximum in DAR-14 (152.06 and 151.72 mu g g(-1)), followed by DAR-28 (81.16 and 83.16 mu g g(-1)). For economic yield accessions DAR-7, DAR-19, DAR-14, DAR-28 were found superior therefore, they may be further used in crop improvement program as valuable selection. In the cropping system they may act as a viable replacement of traditional crops viz., cumin, gram, cotton and groundnut. Asparagus cultivated under high density plantation ensured high economic return (Rs. 4.87 l ha(-1)year(-1)) with 3.66 B: C ratio, therefore, it could be considered a high returns substitute for traditional crops.