Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Wall. Ex Nees) crop as influenced by the application of farmyard manure (FYM) and inorganic phosphorus in typic torripsamments of Hisar

Abstract

The growth attributes of kalmegh (plant height, number of primary branches, plant spread and dry weight of shoot) were enhanced significantly with the application of 12.5 mg P2O5 kg-1 soil. Application of farmyard manure (FYM) 12.5 t ha-1 significantly improved all the growth attributes significantly over control. However, 12.5 mg P2O5 kg-1 soil along with FYM 12.5 t ha-1 resulted in significantly the highest values of growth attributes as compared to the other treatments and the results were on a par with higher level of fertilizer phosphorus (P) or FYM application. Application of FYM improved the andrographolide content significantly up to the level of 12.5 t ha-1 FYM in combination with fertilizer P 25 mg P2O5 kg-1 soil when compared with other treatments. Application of FYM 12.5 t ha-1 + 12.5 mg P2O5 kg-1 soil was found to be the best treatment combination for the highest nutrients uptake by kalmegh. Application of fertilizer-P alone significantly improved the status of organic carbon, available-P in post harvest soil, but decreased the available-nitrogen (N), available-potassium (K) and diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable micronutrients (iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn)) up to the level of 25 mg P2O5 kg-1 soil. Use of FYM 12.5 t ha-1 helped in maintaining the soil fertility alone or in combination with fertilizer-P. Key words: Kalmegh, phosphorus, farmyard manure (FYM), quality, nutrients uptake, soil fertility status.