Botanical name: Gloriosa superba L                             

English name: Glory lily, Lily flower

Local name: Kalihari (Hindi), Nabhikkodi (Tamil)

Family: Lilaceae

Origin:
It is native of Tropical Asia and Africa and is commonly known as Glory Lilly or Malabar Glory Lilly.

Introduction:
Colchicine, the main principle alkaloid of Gloriosa superba is a biologically active molecule, possessing anti-inflammatory, antimiotic and tumor- inhibiting activities. Colchicines may offer a lease of hope to the patients with liver cirrhosis.

Climatic conditions:
This crop requires tropical and sub tropical type of climate with annual rainfall of 70 cm. It grows well up to 1000 MSL. The best growing temperature ranges from 15 to 35 degree centigrade but can tolerate slight higher or lower temperatures. The crop requires high humidity during flowering.

Soil requirement:
Red, red sandy, sandy loam soil with pH ranges from 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal for this corp. The soil must have good drainage facility. The crop cannot withstand water logging conditions.

Propagation:
This crop is propagated through V shaped tubers. 50–60 gm tubers are ideal for cultivation. Very small and under developed tubers are slow in germination and also yields poor. Large sized tubers may be divided in to two pieces by cutting them from the middle with a knife and treating the cut portion of the tubers by Bavistin to prevent from fungus attack at the exposed surface. Healthy tubers should be selected for plantation purpose.

Quantity of tubers required:
One acre requires 500 to 700 kgs tubers. The tip of the tubers should not be damaged as germination takes place from the tips. Tubers should be treated with 0.2 % Bavistin and kept under the shade during plantation.

Plantation should be done in July- August. Plantation in the field should be done in morning or evening hours in order to protect the tubers from being exposed to bright sunlight during noon hours.

Field preparation:
Field should be ploughed 4-5 times until it comes to a fine tilth. All the grass stubbles, roots etc should be removed from the field. The field should be leveled properly and proper arrangements should be made for drainage to avoid water logging conditions during rains. Water logging conditions in the field are not favourable for crop growth
Plantation:
Furrows with 10-15 cm depth made with the spacing of 6 feet between the furrows. Selected tubers are placed in middle of the furrows with the spacing of about 30-45 cm. The tubers are covered with soil. Gloriosa is a cross pollinated crop so closer spacing helps in pollination
Wiring & support:
About 4 feet long wooden sticks are fixed along the sides of the furrows at the distance of about 15 feet between sticks. 4 steel wires are tied parallel to the wooden sticks. Sorghum straw or “Naanal” straw are inserted in between the steel wires. This facilitates the plant to climb
Fertilizer requirement:
About 6 MT of well decomposed farm yard manure should be incorporated in the soil at the time of field preparation.