Effect of Organic Manures on Growth, Yield and Quality of Solanum macrocarpon L.

Abstract

The following investigation carried on effect of organic manures on growth, yield and quality of Solanum macrocarpon L. locally known as “Thulo Bihi” in the hills of Sikkim; conceded significant effect of FYM, Vermicompost and carrier based biofertilizer AMC on influencing the growth attributing characters and yield attributing characters, among the plants in different organic treatment layouts as compared to the control treatment application. Amidst 10 treatments (T1 to T10), T8 containing combined application of FYM @ 40t/ha, Vermicompost @ 2t/ha and Arka- Microbial consortium @ 10kg/ha out performed and recorded maximum values in all the aspects viz., Plant height (73.08 cm), number of branches per plant (4.75 nos.), stem girth (11.83 mm), number of leaves per plants (21.33 nos.), number of flowers per plant (21.25 nos.), number of fruits per plant (6.33 nos.), fruit weight (63.16 g), average fruit yield (9.33 t/ha) and TSS content (4.05 oB). Whereas, the number of days taken for 50% flowering and number of days taken for first fruit harvest 71.33 nos. and 104.92 nos. respectively, were significantly reduced. All the values of parameters in T8 were at par with T7 (FYM 40t/ha, vermicompost 1t/ha and AMC 10 kg/ha). However, minimum values were observed in control (T1) FYM 15 t/ha and other treatment combinations whose level of FYM was @ 20t/ha along with different level of Vermicompost and with or without AMC @ 10 kg/ ha. The result concluded that the amount of organic manures applied in T8 or T7 can be recommended for commercial cultivation of Thulo Bihi in the hills of Sikkim.