Plant Propagation as described in Sanskrit Texts

Summary

Dhananjay Vasudeo Dwivedi surveys techniques of plant propagation mentioned in classical Sanskrit literature. The article draws on sources such as Vṛkṣāyurveda, the Kauṭilya Arthaśāstra and various Purāṇas to demonstrate that ancient Indian scholars possessed a sophisticated understanding of horticulture. Dwivedi classifies methods of propagation into sexual (seed‑based) and asexual techniques such as cuttings, layering, grafting and budding. He describes textual references to the selection and treatment of seeds, including the use of manure, seed soaking and lunar cycles. The article highlights instructions for vegetative propagation: layering young shoots in soil, grafting scions onto rootstocks, and growing plants from stem cuttings. Dwivedi notes that Sanskrit authors recognised environmental factors like soil type, seasonality and irrigation. He examines medicinal and economic motivations for propagating specific species, such as sandalwood, coconut and sugarcane. The study also touches on the symbolic and religious significance of plants in Hinduism and how this cultural reverence encouraged careful cultivation practices. By collating disparate references, Dwivedi shows that ancient agronomists approached plant propagation systematically and valued empirical observation. He argues that these texts prefigure modern botanical science and can inform contemporary sustainable agriculture. The article calls for interdisciplinary research combining philology, botany and agro‑ecology to fully appreciate India’s horticultural heritage.