Effect of organic manures on root yield of Ashwagandha

TK Koshle; P Toppo; MN Naugraiya

Vol. 7, Issue 1 (2019)

Effect of organic manures on root yield of Ashwagandha

Author(s): TK Koshle, P Toppo and MN Naugraiya

Abstract: The present study entitled â€œEffect of organic manures on root yield of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal.)â€ Was carried out at Research Farm, Department of Forestry, IGAU, Raipur (C.G.) during Kharif season of 2016-17. The standardization of optimum requirement of nutrient as organic manures on Ashwagandha crop as intercropped with Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) based Agroforestry system. The trial was laid out in Randomized Block Design with eight treatments and three replications in this experiment. Fresh root yield (1,038.97 kg ha^-1), Dry root yield (2.74 q.ha^-1) and seed yield (96.53 kg ha^-1) was recorded in T₈treatment as a control this is due to no use of any organic manure. The results revealed that the yield characters of Ashwagandha viz., fresh root yield and dry root yield were recorded maximum in T₂treatment. It can be concluded from the study conducted that the Ashwagandha crop Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) based Agroforestry system with application of Vermicompost (100%) @ 5 ton ha^-1 ensure higher yield of root and as compared to other organic manure â€“ FYM and neem cake and their combinations. Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) is a leguminous tree, which fixes the atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, to increase fertility and is not showed its negative effect on crop of Ashwagandha due to its moderate shading, but in lack of recommended dose of organic manure (vermicompost) the production of root and seed yield was found less. The results of this study clearly indicate that the Ashwagandha crop can be cultivated comfortably under Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) based Agroforestry system with application of organic manureâ€“ vermicompost.