Study on Medicinal Crop, Ashwagandha : Faunal association and properties against storage pests of Ashwagandha to promote cultivation as a medicinal crop

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a profusely used medicinal crop belongs to family Solanaceae. This herb is extensively exploited in traditional systems of medicine, Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani for over 3000 years and proudly called as Queen of Ayurveda. Due to its importance, farmers are interested to cultivate it in larger extent. This study was aimed to assess the potential of W. somnifera to cultivate in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Several defoliators, sucking insects and diseases recorded during cultivation which were affect the yield of this herb. Botanical trait study of W. somnifera resulted many useful information to do the efficient cultivation with least cost.Insecticidal properties and grain protectant efficacy of W. somnifera have been tested against common storage pests; Rice weevil, Red flour beetle and Pulse beetle.Various parts of this plant extracts were significantly checked the population builds up and damage percentage.This study suggests that the climate and soil prevalent in Jaffna are suitable to multiply W. somnifera herb with least cost and extracts which can be used to protect the grains from storage pests under small scale.