CIM-Pushti
Released in 2018 by CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow — a Withanolide-A-rich, leaf-blight-tolerant, high-yielding line bred from an intra-specific Nagouri × Kashmiri hybrid, with a distinctive whitish-cream, high-starch root prized for its texture.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Ashwagandha
- Type
- Open-pollinated
- Season
- Kharif
- Maturity period
- 168–178 days to root maturity
- Seed rate
- 5–12 kg/ha for direct broadcast sowing (2–5 kg/acre); a nursery raised for transplanting needs only about 5 kg/ha of seed — the species-standard rate
- Expected yield
- Average dry root yield of 9–10 quintals/ha
- Suitable soil
- Sandy loam or light red soil, pH 7.5–8.0
- Release
- Released 2018 · CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow
About this variety
CIM-Pushti was released in 2018 by CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, developed through intra-specific hybridization between Nagouri and Kashmiri Ashwagandha ecotypes. It matures in 168–178 days and gives an average dry root yield of 9–10 quintals/ha, with a rich Withanolide-A content (0.713 mg/g dry weight on average) and Withanolide-B content of 0.460 mg/g. Its standout trait among Ashwagandha lines is leaf blight tolerance — a documented disease-resistance edge none of the other lines on this site carry. The root itself is distinctive: whitish-cream in colour, with a non-separable rind and fine, pulverisable, brittle texture and a high starch-to-fibre ratio, prized for root textural quality. The plant carries highly wavy, sub-coriaceous, light green leaves on a semi-erect, strong stem, with yellowish-orange mature berries, and CIMAP recommends it for India's agro-climatic zones VIII, XIII and XIV — broadly the Central Plateau, the Western dry region, and the Gujarat plains.
Key characteristics
Sowing & cultivation
- Sowing timeDirect sowing: second week of July, once pre-monsoon showers have given a fine tilth. Nursery sowing: just before monsoon onset, transplanted 5–6 weeks later.
- Seed rate5–12 kg/ha for direct broadcast sowing (2–5 kg/acre); a nursery raised for transplanting needs only about 5 kg/ha of seed — the species-standard rate
- Spacing60×60 cm for a transplanted crop; a direct-sown stand is thinned at 25–30 days to about 20,000–25,000 plants/ha
- Sowing methodBroadcast directly into the field, or raise seedlings in a nursery bed and transplant into 60 cm furrows once 5–6 weeks old
- IrrigationLittle to none if the monsoon is on schedule; a life-saving irrigation only on a genuine dry spell
- FertilizerNone, by design — the crop runs on the residual fertility of a previous well-manured crop; on genuinely poor soil, a modest 20:20:0 kg N:P:K/ha is sometimes applied basal
- HarvestingHarvest January–March, 168–178 days after sowing, once the leaves have dried and the berries have turned yellowish-orange.
Soil & climate
Soil
- Suitable soil
- Sandy loam or light red soil
- Irrigation
- Must drain freely — standing water rots the root and collar
Climate
- Climate
- 20–35°C, 500–750 mm rainfall — recommended for agro-climatic zones VIII, XIII and XIV (Central Plateau, Western dry region, Gujarat plains)
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
168–178 days to root maturity
Expected yield
Average dry root yield of 9–10 quintals/ha
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
- Tolerant to leaf blight — the variety's own documented, distinguishing trait
- Damping-off / seedling blight — soil-borne, favoured by excess moisture at sowing and germination; not specifically documented as tolerated by CIM-Pushti
- Root & collar rot — a waterlogging-driven disease and the crop's single biggest risk
Management notes
- Government cultivation notes name stem borer and mites as the main pests for Ashwagandha generally — a fenvalerate spray (Sumicidin) and a neem seed kernel extract are the standard responses.
- A single hand-weeding at 25–30 days after sowing/transplanting is usually enough.
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- The only Ashwagandha line in this record with a documented disease-tolerance trait — leaf blight tolerant.
- A distinctive whitish-cream, high-starch, fine-textured root specifically prized for root textural quality, on top of a rich Withanolide-A content (0.713 mg/g).
- A relatively short, well-defined maturity window (168–178 days) rather than a wide species-level range.
Things to consider
- Bred and recommended specifically for agro-climatic zones VIII, XIII and XIV (Central Plateau, Western dry region, Gujarat plains) — confirm local suitability with your KVK if you are outside this belt.
- Like all Ashwagandha, the crop is sold on quality and grade directly to drug-market buyers, with no MSP and no mandi-style open market.
Suitable regions
Recommended by CSIR-CIMAP for agro-climatic zones VIII, XIII and XIV — broadly the Central Plateau, Western dry region and Gujarat plains, mapped here to Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- Madhya Pradesh
- Rajasthan
- Gujarat
Frequently asked questions
What is CIM-Pushti?
A Withanolide-A-rich, leaf-blight-tolerant, high-yielding Ashwagandha variety released in 2018 by CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow, bred from a Nagouri × Kashmiri hybrid, known for its good root textural quality.
Is CIM-Pushti disease-resistant?
It is documented as tolerant to leaf blight — the only Ashwagandha line on this site with a specific disease-tolerance trait recorded. It still carries the usual damping-off and root/collar-rot risks common to the crop.
How much does CIM-Pushti yield and how long does it take?
An average dry root yield of 9–10 quintals/ha, maturing in 168–178 days — meaningfully above the species-level ICAR average of 4–5 quintals/ha and with a tighter, better-defined maturity window.
Where is CIM-Pushti best suited?
CIMAP recommends it for agro-climatic zones VIII, XIII and XIV — broadly the Central Plateau, the Western dry region and the Gujarat plains, mapping loosely to Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Sourced from: India Science, Technology & Innovation Portal — Commercialization of CIM-Pushti, CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow. editorial policy.