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Safed MusliKharifFasciculated root pieces, not true seedUpdated 19 August 2026

JS 405 (Jawahar Safed Musli 405)

The only Chlorophytum borivilianum (Safed Musli) variety on ICAR-DMAPR's own released-varieties list — released by RVSKVV, Mandsaur in 2004. Most growers otherwise plant root pieces saved from a previous healthy crop rather than a named variety.

SeasonKharif
Maturity periodLeaves wither ~4–4.5 months after planting; roots dug Nov–Jan
Expected yield2–3 t/ha fresh root → 400–600 kg/ha dry — the species-level figure ICAR cites; JS 405's own release record does not state a variety-specific yield
Suitable soilWell-drained sandy loam or loam, pH 6.0–8.0

Quick facts

Crop
Safed Musli
Type
Fasciculated root pieces, not true seed
Season
Kharif
Maturity period
Leaves wither ~4–4.5 months after planting; roots dug Nov–Jan
Seed rate
600–1,000 kg/ha of fasciculated root pieces (fingers with a bud-bearing disc, ≥5 g each) — the rate varies with spacing; this is the species-standard rate, not adjusted specifically for JS 405
Expected yield
2–3 t/ha fresh root → 400–600 kg/ha dry — the species-level figure ICAR cites; JS 405's own release record does not state a variety-specific yield
Suitable soil
Well-drained sandy loam or loam, pH 6.0–8.0
Release
Released 2004 · RVSKVV research station, Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh

About this variety

JS 405 (Jawahar Safed Musli 405) was released in 2004 by the Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (RVSKVV) research station at Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, and is the one Safed Musli variety carried on ICAR-DMAPR's own official released-varieties table. Beyond the release record — variety name, releasing centre and year — that table does not document distinguishing yield, duration or disease-resistance traits for JS 405, so the agronomy figures below are the species-level Chlorophytum borivilianum practice that ICAR's own production-technology note sets out, not numbers calibrated to this variety alone. Safed Musli is not grown from true seed: the "seed" is a piece of the fasciculated root itself, carrying a bud-bearing disc, and because of low natural seed germination and a heterozygous nature, vegetative propagation from root pieces (as with JS 405) is the standard commercial method.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeFasciculated root pieces, not true seed
    MaturityLeaves wither ~4–4.5 months after planting; roots dug Nov–Jan
    Yield potential2–3 t/ha fresh root → 400–600 kg/ha dry — the species-level figure ICAR cites; JS 405's own release record does not state a variety-specific yield
    Disease resistanceNot stated in the official release record
    SoilWell-drained sandy loam or loam, pH 6.0–8.0
    SeasonKharif

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timeThe first or second good rain of the monsoon, typically June–July
  • Seed rate600–1,000 kg/ha of fasciculated root pieces (fingers with a bud-bearing disc, ≥5 g each) — the rate varies with spacing; this is the species-standard rate, not adjusted specifically for JS 405
  • Spacing30 cm row-to-row × 10–15 cm plant-to-plant on ridges or raised beds — about 3.33 lakh plants/ha
  • Sowing methodPlant sprouted root pieces on ridges or raised beds; heavier soils or high-rainfall areas need ridges for drainage
  • IrrigationLittle to none if the monsoon is on schedule; about 6–8 irrigations at 10–15 day intervals if the monsoon fails or there is a long dry gap, continuing even after the leaves start to fall
  • Fertilizer10–15 t/ha well-rotted FYM at land preparation, plus an overall 50:40:40 kg N:P:K per hectare — the species-standard dose ICAR cites for a good root yield
  • HarvestingLeaves start withering about 4–4.5 months after planting. For sale as raw drug material, dig November–January once fully mature; if the roots are being kept as next season's planting stock, they can be left in the ground until March–April

Soil & climate

Soil

Suitable soil
Well-drained sandy loam or loam, rich in organic matter and porous enough for the fasciculated roots to expand freely
Irrigation
Must drain well — waterlogging damages the tubers and invites root/collar rot, which is why ridges or raised beds are used in higher-rainfall areas

Climate

Climate
30–35°C day temperature, 500–1,500 mm rainfall, up to about 1,500 m altitude — it is planted to catch the monsoon and grows mostly on the rain that falls through the season

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

Leaves wither ~4–4.5 months after planting; roots dug Nov–Jan

Expected yield

2–3 t/ha fresh root → 400–600 kg/ha dry — the species-level figure ICAR cites; JS 405's own release record does not state a variety-specific yield

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Management notes

  • ICAR's own production note states that no serious diseases or pests have so far been reported on Safed Musli beyond an occasional leaf-eating caterpillar and leaf blight in wet weather — good drainage and healthy planting material prevent most of the trouble this crop sees.
  • Nip off every flower spike as it appears through the season — this single practice can raise fasciculated-root yield by around a third.

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • The one Safed Musli variety with an official ICAR-DMAPR release record, rather than an unnamed farm-saved root line.
  • Released specifically for the Madhya Pradesh belt, one of the crop's main growing tracts in India.

Things to consider

  • The official release record does not state a variety-specific yield, duration or disease-resistance edge over ordinary farm-saved planting material — treat it as a documented-origin choice, not a proven yield upgrade.
  • Like all Safed Musli, the crop is sold on quality and grade directly to drug-market buyers, with no MSP and no mandi-style open market.

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Gujarat
  • Rajasthan
  • Maharashtra

Frequently asked questions

What is JS 405?

A Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) planting-root variety released in 2004 by RVSKVV's research station at Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh — the only Safed Musli variety on ICAR-DMAPR's own official released-varieties list.

When should I plant JS 405?

On the first or second good rain of the monsoon, typically June–July — planting on a rainy day itself improves how many root pieces survive.

How much planting material does JS 405 need per hectare?

600–1,000 kg/ha of fasciculated root pieces, each with at least 5 g of the bud-bearing disc — the rate depends on the spacing used, and this is the crop's single biggest cost.

Does JS 405 yield more than ordinary Safed Musli planting material?

The official release record does not state a variety-specific yield advantage — its documented value is a traceable, official origin, not a proven yield edge over farm-saved root pieces.

When is Safed Musli harvested?

Leaves start withering about 4–4.5 months after planting. Roots are dug November to January for sale as raw drug material, or left until March–April if kept as next season's planting stock.

Sourced from: ICAR-DMAPR — Crop Improvement (Released Varieties table), ICAR-DMAPR — Crop Production (Safed Musli agronomy), Khadke et al., "Production technology of safed musli", Indian Horticulture (ICAR), Sept–Oct 2023. editorial policy.