Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of thuduvalai (Solanum trilobatum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the medicinal plant unit, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu, India during 2010-2011 to study the “effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of thuduvalai (Solanum trilobatum L.)”. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with thirteen treatments and three replications. The treatment included graded levels of NPK viz., 100, 75 and 50% RDF + FYM at 25 t ha(-1), Azospirillum and phosphobacteria each at 2 kg ha(-1), vermicompost at 2.5 t ha(-1), composted coir pith at 5 t ha(-1), neem cake at 2.5 t ha(-1) and foliar spray of panchagavya at 3% on 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting. The results of the study revealed that the integration of inorganic fertilizers in combination with organic manures and biofertilizers was found to be significant in improving the overall plant growth and yield. The highest plant height (166.42 cm), number of branches plant(-1) (35.97), number of leaves plant(-1) (615.65), leaf area (35.23 cm2), leaf yield (209.63 kg plant(-1)) and estimated leaf yield (10.35 t ha(-1)) were observed with application of 50% NPK + vermicompost 2.5 t ha(-1) + biofertilizers (Azospirillum and phosphobacteria each at 2 kg ha(-1)) and foliar application of panchagavya at 3% at 30, 60 and 90 DAT (T6). The yield contributing traits viz., number of flowers plant(-1), fruit set percentage, fruit diameter, single fruit weight and number of fruits plant(-1) were significantly influenced by the different treatments. The treatment T6 (50% NPK + vermicompost 2.5 t ha(-1) + biofertilizers (Azospirillum and phosphobacteria each at 2 kg ha(-1) and foliar application of panchagavya at 3% at 30, 60 and 90 DAT) recorded significantly higher number flowers plant(-1) (111.17), fruit setting percentage (74.51), fruit diameter (0.82 cm), single fruit weight (0.765), number of fruits (79.75), fruit yield plant-1 (63.93 g), fruit yield plot(-1) (413.75 g) and estimated fruit yield (132.31 kg ha(-1)) and the nutrient uptake was also observed to be higher by the same treatment T6.