Response of organic consortia on growth, yield and quality of Coleus forskholii

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to assess the combined effect of organic amendments and bio-stimulants on growth, tuber yield and quality of Coleus forskholii at the Department of Medicinal and Aromatic crops, TNAU, Coimbatore. The organic amendments such as farm yard manure (FYM), vermicompost and neem cake were used. Bio-inoculants such as panchakavya, humic acid and Manchurian mushroom were examined for the present study. Observations were made on morphological parameters, growth parameters and quality traits using standard procedures. The results indicated that, biometric characters of coleus were found to be influenced significantly by the application of organic amendments and growth promoters. The treatment combination M1S4 (FYM @ 2.5 kg/plant + recommended dose of fertilizer @ 30:60:50 NPK/plant/year + foliar application of Panchagavya (3%) + foliar application of 3% humic acid along with 3% manchurian mushroom spray once at 4, 6, 8,10,12,14 MAP recorded the highest plant height (63.45 cm), plant spread (67.93 cm2), number of laterals (79.80) and number of leaves (322.50). The same treatment combination registered the highest number of tubers (27.15), tuber length (24.65 cm), tuber girth (3.48 cm), fresh (18.50 t ha−1) and dry tuber yield (2.45 t ha−1). Regarding the quality parameters the treatment M6S4 (FYM @ 2.5 kg/plant + 2 kg/plant of vermicompost + 250 kg neem cake + foliar application of 3% humic acid along with 3% Manchurian mushroom spray once at 4, 6, 8,10,12,14 MAP, recorded increased values of essential oil (0.16%) and forskohlin (0.95%) content.