Organic fertilizer management in cultivation of medicinal and aromatic crops: a review

Abstract

Medicinal and aromatic plants constitute a major segment of the flora, which provides raw materials for use in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and drug industries. Looking into the important role of medicinal plants in different industries, it is great significance to increasing production of biomass produced without the use of harmful chemical. The use of organic fertilizers and microbial symbiosis with species of medicinal and aromatic plants under organic agriculture helps in improvement of yield and quality. However, the debate on the relative benefits of conventional and organic farming systems has in recent time gained significant interest. So far, global agricultural development has focused on increased productivity rather than on a holistic natural resource management for food security. Thus, developing more sustainable farming practices on a large scale is of utmost importance. Organic farming helps to enhance farm productivity and profitability, soil health (soil fertility & productivity) etc. This review has mainly been focused on contemplating and prospecting the work done so far to know the impact of organic farming system on growth and yield of medicinal and aromatic crops.