Title : Effect of different organic manures, biofertilizers and growth retardants on growth, yield and quality of Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal)
Abstract:
Medicinal plants are a tremendous ssource of raw materials for the modern drug industry. Among the medicinal plants, ashwagandha is having highest share (61.65 %) followed by Amla (9.46%), Sandalwood (9.41%) and other medicinal and aromatic crops. There is growing concern about the adverse effects of the use of indiscriminate chemical fertilizers in an unbalanced manner may result in several problems like loss of soil fertility, soil health, multiple nutrient deficiencies, loss of microbial activities, etc. Looking at the ill effects of such chemical fertilizers, it was considered of interest to use organic manures (farmyard manure, oil cakes, poultry manure and vermicompost), biofertilizers and growth retardants. A field experiments were carried out at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka in medium black clayey soil entitled as Effect of different organic manures, biofertilizers and growth retardants on growth, yield and quality of Ashwagandha in FRBD design. The factors like organic manures (M) viz., M1: FYM (5 t/ha), M2: Vermicompost (2.5 t/ha) and M3: Poultry manure (2.5 t/ha), growth retardants (G) viz., G1: CCC (2000 ppm), and G2: Mepiquat chloride (500 ppm) and seed treatment with biofertilizers viz., B1: Azospirillum (5g/kg seeds), and B2: PSB (5g/kg seeds). Combined application of vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 + mepiquat chloride @ 500 ppm + PSB resulted the maximum dry root yield (1101 kg/ha), seed yield (397.01 kg/ha) and total alkaloid content (1.70%) of roots in ashwagandha.
Key Words: Ashwagandha, FYM, Vermicompost, Poultry manure, Azospirllum, PSB, CCC, Mepiquat chloride.
Audience Take Away:
Explain how the audience will be able to use what they learn?
Organic method of growing medicinal plants, importance of medicinal plants, influence of these cultivation practices on soil fertility status, quality produce and its marketing, influence on socio-economic status of the farming community.
How will this help the audience in their job?
Production technology of ashwagandha in organic means can improve the soil status, environment friendly, superior quality of produce can be achieved. Post COVID period playing an important role towards the nutritionally security and ayurveda, especially in Indian situation. As the Indian culture is based on the ayurveda.
s this research that other faculty could use to expand their research or teaching?
This concluded research can be further expanded in the future with the following problems Viz., Effect of climate change on growth, yield and quality of ashwagandha under north-eastern dry zone of Karnataka. Standardize the concentration and intervals of application of different growth retardants to achieve quality production in ashwagandha. Micronutrients play a role of activator in enzymatic catalysis during biosynthesis of alkaloids in roots. The detailed studies on the effect of micronutrients on growth, yield and quality of ashwagandha need to be carried out. Standardization of organic production technology in ashwagandha.
Does this provide a practical solution to a problem that could simplify or make a designer’s job more efficient?
Integrated nutrient management approach was economically feasible to attain quality end produce and to maintain soil fertility status under Northeastern dry zone of Karnataka.
Will it improve the accuracy of a design, or provide new information to assist in a design problem?
To address the present global problem i.e climate change, this approach is one of the suitable solution to restore and reclaim the soil fertility status by reducing the chemical approach in the production of ashwagandha.
List all other benefits.
This powder can be used year-round as a nutritious food. Rich in vitamin C, immunity boosting food
