THE METHOD OF HARVESTING ANDROGRAPHIS PANICULATA SEEDS FOR PROPAGATION

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were to investigate the seed harvesting method of Andrographis paniculata (5-month-old) by quantitative research methods in comparison between harvesting only mature pods and harvesting by pruning old pods. The results found that the harvesting only mature pods was collected seed amount 10 sets (500 g/set). The average of seed weight was 113.81 g/set which contained 96.20 g of intact seeds and 17.61 grams of damaged seeds, equivalent to a ratio of 5.46 : 1. Moreover, the moisture content of seeds was 8.43%. For harvesting by pruning old pods, the seeds were collected to 3 sets (15kg/set) which the average seed weight was 404.13 g/set. There were moisture content as 7.54 % which contained intact seeds about 247.60 g and damaged seeds about 156.53 g (intact seeds : damaged seeds ratio as 1.58 : 1) The advantages and disadvantages analyzing of seed harvesting method, we found that the harvesting only mature pods was yields of intact seeds more than damaged seeds (5.46 times), however, this method was taken time and more labor-intensive. Whereas, the harvesting by pruning old pods was less yields of intact and damaged seeds (1.58 times) but used time and labor less than the harvesting only mature pods. Thus, the choose of seed harvesting method could be considered the readiness and limitations of farmer. In conclusion, the outcomes of this study could be used as a database in Andrographis paniculate planting for increasing the income of farmer.