Belladonna (Atropa belladonna Linn.) belongs to the family Solanaceae. It comprises of four species, the commercial drug is obtained from the leaves, flowering tops and roots of A. belladonna Linn., commonly called as ‘Deadly Night Shade’ and A.acuminata Royle, often referred as’ Indian Belladonna’.

1. By
Name of the Creator-Dr. Khushboo Dubey
Designation-Assistant Professor
Department-Plant Pathology

2.  Importance and chemical composition
 Belladonna (Atropa belladonna Linn.) belongs to the family Solanaceae.
 It comprises of four species, the commercial drug is obtained from the
leaves, flowering tops and roots of A. belladonna Linn., commonly called
as ‘Deadly Night Shade’ and A.acuminata Royle, often referred as’
Indian Belladonna’.
 The commercial drug is obtained from the leaves, flowering tops and
roots of A. belladonna.
 Leaves and roots of belladonna contain tropane alkaloids whose
concentration varies from 0.13 to 0.70 per cent (average 0.45%).
 Belladonna leaves are widely used for the manufacture of tinctures and
plasters.
 The drug serves as an anodyne, sedative, stimulant, anti-diuretic, anti-
asthmatic,antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory.
 It is also used in the treatment of renal and bilary colic, stomach
disorders and to stop sweating.
 The roots are primarily used in the external treatment of gout,
rheumatism and other affiliations.

3.  A. belladona is indigenous to southern and
central Europe and naturalized in south
England.
 • It is cultivated for its drug in Central
Europe, England, USSR, United States and
North India.
 • A. accuminata is found in a natural state in
the western Himalayas extending from
Kashmir to Shimla.

4. A. belladonna is an erect, herbaceous plant.
B. The plant is shrub like with spreading slender often purplish
branches.
C. The flowers borne singly in the leaf axils, are large bell
shaped, the upper part is brownish violet or purple or golden
brown with violet brown veins.
D. The fruit is a berry. A. acuminata is a tall, perennial herb,
70-150cm in height with a dichotomously branched stem.
E. It closely resembles belladonna.

5. Varieties
Srinagar: It is selection developed by Regional Research
Laboratory. It contains 0.6 per cent alakaloid.
Cultivation
Soil
Belladonna grows well in deep fertile soils of medium texture,
which are rich in humus. Heavy claysoils which are water-
logged should be avoided to cultivate this crop.
Climate
It is a temperate crop. It behaves as a perennial in temperate
climates and gives maximum herbage and alkaloid yield. In
sub-tropical areas, it can be grown as a winter crop. However,
the plant behaves as an annual as it dies during the summer
months and hence the yield is poor.

6. Propagation
The crop is propagated through seeds extracted from
berries collected usually from September-November.
About 4kg of seeds will be required to raise seedlings for
one hectare of land. Seeds may be treated with 80 per
cent sulphuric acid at the time of sowing for 2 minutes to
improve the germination.
Nursery raising
Cover the seed beds with a layer of FYM andthen with
straw. Watering of beds should be done immediately after
sowing with a rose can.
The seeds germinate in 3 weeks time. Seedlings will be
ready for planting in the field when they attain a height
of 15-20 cm after 8-12 weeks.
Broadcasting
About 20kg of seeds are required for sowing one hectare
of land by broadcasting

7. Transplanting
The ideal time for planting in the field is March-April or
October-November. Before planting, theseedlings are treated
with fungicide like Agallol. Seedlings are planted at a spacing
of 50-60 cm inrows kept 60-70 cm apart
Manures and fertilizers
Belladonna is an exhausting crop, hence a basal dose of 25-
40kg N, 40-60 kg P205 and 30-50kg K2Oper hectare. An
additional dose of 60-80kg N is applied in 3-4 split doses as a
top dressing at monthly intervals after every harvest.
Irrigation
Belladonna has a high water requirement and it should be
irrigated frequently once in 10-15 days
during the dry period. Normally, 6-7 irrigations are required
during the dry months.
Interculture and weeding
Belladonna should be kept free from weeds by frequent
weeding and hoeing.

8.  Pest
 Cut worms cause considerable damage to young
plants. The other insects noticed in this crop are
 potato beetle and flea beetle. They can be controlled
by treating the seed bed with aldrin just before
 planting and treating the soil with the solution of
chlordane two weeks after germination of seed.
 Diseases
 Root rot: Plants at every stage of growth are
affected. This can be controlled by fumigation of soil
 with Methyl bromide and treating the seeds with
agallol or captan.
 Leaf spot: The disease can be controlled by spraying
blitox @ 3g/l of water

9.  The first harvest of the leaves is available three month after
planting. Harvesting should be
 done as soon as the plants start flowering, as it is the period
when alkaloid content is higher.
 The leaves are cut with the help of pruning scissors.
 Leaves are dried immediately after the harvest under shade or
sun or artificial heat with or
 without fans for air circulation. Leaves should be turned over
frequently while drying.
 The roots are also harvested after 3 years. After the harvest,
they are washed, cut into 4 inches length, split length wise if
thick and shade or sun dried.
 During the first year, an average of 600 kg of dry herb is
obtained.
 The yield increases to 1500kg per hectare during 2nd and 3rd
year.
 The yield of dry roots will vary from 170 to 335 kg per
 hectare