Enhancing biomass and seed production in Kalmegh [Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall ex. Nees] through optimal plant spacing and nutrients under the Western Himalayan region of India

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted during the winter (kharif) seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23 at CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Centre Purara, Bageshwar, Uttarakhand. The study's objective was to investigate the most effective combinations of plant spacing configurations and NPK levels to enhance biomass and seed yield of kalmegh [Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall ex. Nees] under the Western Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. The experiment consisted of nine treatments, comprising three different plant spacing (60x30 cm, 60 x45 cm, 60x60 cm) and three NPK levels (40:30:20, 80:60:30, 120:90:40), arranged in factorial randomised block design. The results indicated that treatment T3 (120:90:40 NPK) and spacing S3 (60x60 cm) consistently demonstrated superior performance, resulting in the highest plant height, number of branches, LAI, total dry matter weight, dry seed weight, and leaf stem ratio. Treatment T2 (80:60:30 NPK) and spacing S2 (60x 45 cm) displayed intermediate results, while treatment T1 (40:30:20 NPK) and spacing S1 (60 x 30 cm) exhibited relatively lower values for most parameters.