Glory lily is also known as African climbing lily belongs to family Liliaceae. It is also known as Agnishikha, Agnimukhi and Garbhaghatini in Sanskrit.Its rhizomes and seeds contained, alkaloids colchicine and superbine. Colchicine is used for treatment of gout, rheumatism etc.Also rhizomes are used against snake and scorpion bites. Leaf juice is used against head lice.

In India, Central India, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and West Bengal are major glory lily growing states. In Andhra Pradesh, it is taken as kharif crops as well as irrigated crops. 

It can be cultivated on a variety of soils. For good growth and yield It required red or black loamy soils. It cannot withstand in water logging conditions. pH of soil should be in range of 6-7. 

Plough land thoroughly and carry out harrowing, levelling operations and bring soil to fine tilth. 

Time of sowing

July to August is optimum time for tuber cultivation.

Spacing

For plantation purpose, prepared furrows at spacing of 45 to 60cm. Use plant to plant spacing of 20-30cm.

Sowing Depth

Sow tubers at depth of 6-8cm. 

Method of sowing

Rhizomes are planted directly in the field. 

Seed Rate

Usually about 800kg to 1tone rhizomes are required for one acre land.

Seed Treatment

Before sowing, treat tubers with Carbendazim@0.1% solutions. 

For propagation of glory lily V shape rhizomes are selected. Its propagation is possible through seeds also.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

At time of land preparation, apply 60-80qtl per acre of well decomposed cow dung. Apply basal dose of N:P:K@10:20:25kg/acre in form of Urea@25kg, Super Phosphate@125kg and MOP@45kg per acre at time of land preparation. Apply remaining dose of nitrogen at time of flower formation.  

Frequent and light irrigation is needed during sprouting stage. During initial stage, apply irrigation with interval of four to seven days. Afterwards, apply irrigation with interval of 15days. Stop irrigation after flowering stage. 

Do weeding and earthing up and keep field weed free. Weeding is to be done at proper intervals. Overall, Glory lily crop required six to eight manual weeding.

When glory lily will 30-40cm tall, provide support to vines as its stem is weak. For support 4 feet long wooden sticks or iron rods (3’x3’x3’) are used. 

• Pests and their control:

Lily caterpillar: They cause severe damage to the plant and result in plant death.

Spraying of Metacid@0.2% is given every fortnight at intervals.

Green caterpillar: They cause damage mainly on leaves by feeding themselves on fresh green leaves.

Spraying of Metacid@0.2% is given every fortnight at intervals.

• Diseases and their control:

Rhizome rot: It is a devastating disease which causes infection on roots.

Drenching of Bavistin @0.2% is done to get rid of rhizome rot.

Leaf blight: It is a pathogenic disease caused by pathogens which cause browning and chlorosis and then death of the whole plant

Spraying of Dithane M-45@0.3% or contaf@10ml in 10 litre of water is effective to get rid of disease.

Plant starts harvesting in about 170-180 days after planting. Harvesting of capsules is done when it turns from light green to dark green color. Harvesting of tubers is done after 5-6 years of transplanting. For seed extraction mature flowers are taken and for processing underground tuber are taken. 

After harvesting, cleaning and washing of tubers is done. Then tubers, seeds and pericarp are air dried in shades for few days. Packing is done in air tight bags for less spoilage and to increase self-life. From kalihari part several products like tonics and medicines for various diseases are made after processing.