Effect of organic nutrient on yield and yield attributes of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal)

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Effect of organic nutrient on yield and yield attributes of Ashwagandha. (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal).” was carried out at Research Cum Instructional Farm, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, during rabi season of 2017-2018. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The whole treatments were divided into main plot i.e. flat bed, ridge and furrow method and sub plot i.e. control, FYM @10 t ha-1, FYM @15 t ha-1, Vermicompost @5 t ha-1, Vermicompost @7.5 t ha-1, Castor cake @1.5 t ha-1, Castor cake @2.5 t ha-1, RDF (NPK @40:60:20 kg ha-1). Ashwagandha variety GAA-1 was sown on 30th October 2017 and harvested on 05th June 2018. Observation regarding different sowing methods, maximum dry matter accumulation, number of berries, fresh root yield, dry root yield and seed yield were recorded maximum with ridge and furrow sowing method as compared to flatbed sowing method while based on application of organic source of nutrients, maximum dry matter accumulation, number of berries, fresh root yield, dry root yield and seed yield were recorded maximum with application of FYM @15 t ha-1 as compared to other organic source of nutrient and their levels for Ashwagandha crop. Ridge and furrow sowing method with FYM @15 t ha-1 gave best results in terms of yield and its attributes of Ashwagandha.