Abstract

Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlt. is a popular medicinal plant species in Ghana that is used in the treatment of malaria. Despite the heavy demand for this species, harvesting is done solely from the wild, resulting in declining populations. As part of the ongoing research to develop domestication protocols for its cultivation, a field study was conducted to develop a cropping cycle and determine the effect of staking and plant age on plant growth and active component (cryptolepine) concentration in the roots. Staking had no significant effect on root dry weight but was important to the production of seed pods possibly resulting from better flower positioning. The highest cryptolepine concentration (on average 1.84 mg/100 mg of root material) coincided with the peak average root dry weight (52.8 g) at 289 days after planting (DAP), signifying the most ideal time to harvest roots. Interestingly, the cryptolepine content (1.82 mg/100 mg) in seedlings prior to the start of the experiment was comparable to the concentration found, 289 DAP (1.84 mg/100 mg). The first 105 DAP were characterized by low yields of root dry weight (13.5 g) followed by a period of rapid growth in which the root dry weight increased almost linearly until 289 DAP. Although, dry matter partitioned to the vines increased towards the end of the experimental period (60%), dry matter partitioned to the roots remained fairly constant (30%) throughout the experimental period.

Key words: Cultivation, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, cryptolepine, domestication, malaria, wild harvesting.