Hydroponic propagation of Siphonochilus aethiopicus: an endangered medicinal plant

Abstract

The increasing demand for medicinal plants has led into serious over-harvesting of wild populations and presents an opportunity for potential profitable cultivation. Production of medicinal plants in controlled environments particularly hydroponic technology provides opportunities for high quality biomass accumulation and optimizes production of secondary metabolites. Water availability and supplies are becoming scarce, thus search for innovative irrigation practices is desirable and vital. The proper irrigation interval and growing media can play a major role in increasing the water use efficiency. Thus, Siphonochilus aethiopicus was cultivated by means of the hydroponic technique, under various substrate combinations and watering regimes.