Evaluation of Seasonal Variation in Relation to Secondary Metabolite and Biomass Production of Andrographis paniculata

The present study is aimed at investigating the effects of variation in secondary metabolites and biomass production of Andrographis paniculatato obtainbetter yield and market value. The seasonal dynamics of A. paniculata was carried out on Kharifand Rabi seasons in two successive years at 2007 and 2008. A. paniculatagenotype was screened to assess the andrographolide accumulation and itsyield components on two harvesting dates corresponding to calendar months of June and November. The results revealed that last week of October ideal for obtaining maximum dry herbage (931.3 kg/ha) and total andrographolide yield (29.05 kg/ha), respectively. On the basis of relative estimates of total andrographolide is higher in February (3.12%) than September (1.85%).