Kalihari is also known as Gloriosa superba. It is a perennial herb and can be grown as climber. Its underground tubers, leaves, seeds and roots are used for preparing various drugs. Drugs prepared from kalihari are used for the treatment of rheumatism, anthelmintic, antipatriotic and induce polyploidy. Various tonics and syrups are made from the Kalihari plant. The average height of plant is 3.5-6m. The leaves are 6-8inch long and are sessile. Flowers are green in color and fruits are 2 inches long. The seeds are numerous and are compressed. Africa, Asia, USA and Sri Lanka are major crop growing countries. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are major Kalihari growing states in India.

 It gives best result in red sandy loam soil. Avoid cultivation of crop in hard soil. The soil having pH ranging from 5.5-7 is best for crop growth.  

 For Kalihari plantation, it requires well pulverize and leveled soil. To bring soil to fine tilth ploughing and harrowing should be done. Proper drainage systems are made to avoid stagnation of water. Transplantation of Kalihari is done on convenient sizes subplots. 

Gloriosa superba: Found in tropical Africa and India. The average height of this variety is 1.5m tall. The leaves are ovate having 10-12cm leaf length. Flowers are linear, 5-7m in length and are yellowish red in color. 

Gloriosa rothschildiana:  Found in tropical Africa. It is a tall climbing shrub. The leaves are broad lanceolate having 12-18cm leaf length. Flowers are linear, 5-7m in length and are yellowish white at base and crimson from margin in color.

Time of sowing
Planting is mainly done in the month of July and August.

Spacing
Transplanting is done at the distance of 60cm x 45cm.

Sowing Depth
6-8cm

Method of sowing
Sowing of tubers of previous crop or seedlings developed from seeds are transplanted in main fields. 

Seed Rate
For good growth of plant, use seed rate of 100-120kg/acre and use tuber rate of 10-12qtl/acre.

Seed treatment
To protect crop from soil borne disease, pest and rotting, before sowing do tuber treatment with mercurial fungicide of Bavistin@0.1% and then use it for sowing.

It is mainly propagated through ‘V’ shaped tubers. Planting is mainly done in the month of July and August. Sow tubers on raised beds of convenient size subplots. After sowing the tubers water is given to the nursery beds.

The tubers of previous crop or seedlings developed from seeds are transplanted in main fields. Transplanting is done at the distance of 60cm x 45cm.

To protect crop from rotting treat tubers with Bavistin @0.1%.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

At the time of land preparation, apply organic manure such as vermi-compost manure, green manure, FYM etc. and mix well with soil. Apply fertilizer dose of N:P:K@48:20:28kg/acre for good growth of the plant in form of Urea@104kg, SSP@125kg and MOP@46kg/acre. Apply half dose of nitrogen, full dose of potash and phosphorus as a basal dose at the time of planting. The remaining dose of nitrogen is given in two equal halves. First dose is given after 30days after planting and then after 60days after planting.
 
To get rid of pests and insects apply bio pesticides prepared from Dhatura, Cow’s urine, Chitrakmool and Neem. 

 Do periodic weeding and hoeing to keep nursery and field weed free. At initial times it requires frequent weedings. Manual weeding is good for plant growth. Otherwise 2-3 weedings are required in all. Chemical weeding should not be done. 

 Because it is a rain fed crop, it does not require too much irrigation but periodic irrigations are done for good crop growth. Different irrigations are done at different stages of plant. In early stage of seedling, irrigation is done at 4 days of interval and then irrigation is not done at the time of harvesting and then again irrigation is done 2 times during fruit ripening. Do not overwater plants as it causes disease like premature falling of fruits. 

• Pest 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.

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.

• Disease and their control:

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.

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.

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. 

1.Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana

2.Department of Agriculture

3.Indian Agricultural Research Instittute, New Delhi

4.Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research

5.Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare