Influence of integrated nutrient management and plant geometry on growth of ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L. Sprague) in southern zone of Telangana

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the “Influence of integrated nutrient management and plant geometry on growth of ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.Sprague) in Southern zone of Telangana” was carried out during the late kharif season of the year 2019-20 at College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with 12 treatments replicated thrice. The treatments include four integrated nutrient management levels [INM1 ] 100% NPK (20:40:20 kg/ha) + FYM (12 t/ha) + VC (6 t/ha) + NC (3 t/ha) + AMC (7.5 litres/ha), [INM2 ] 75% NPK (15:30:15 kg/ha) + FYM (12 t/ha) + VC (6 t/ha) + NC (3 t/ha) + AMC (7.5 litres/ha), [INM3] 50% NPK (10:20:10 kg/ha) + FYM (12 t/ha) + VC (6 t/ha) + NC (3 t/ha) + AMC (7.5 litres/ha), [INM4] 100% NPK + FYM (12 t/ha) (Control), at three plant geometries (S1) 30 cm x 10 cm, (S2) 30 cm x 30 cm and (S3) 45 cm x 30 cm. With respect to the interaction effect of integrated nutrient management and plant geometry on ajowan, maximum plant height (126.49 cm) was recorded at T1 (INM1+ S1), followed by T2 (INM1+ S2) (121.14 cm) and was on par with T4 (INM2+ S1) (119.52 cm), where as T9 (INM3+ S3) observed minimum plant height (99.93 cm), while more number of primary (14.38) and secondary branches per plant (50.16), maximum fresh (142.51 g) and dry weight per plant (44.28 g) was noticed in T3 (INM1+ S3), while minimum was recorded in T7 (INM3+ S1) and maximum crop growth rate was in T1(INM1+ S1) (12.96 g dm2 day-1), where as T8 (INM3+ S2) recorded minimum crop growth rate (5.10 g dm2 day-1).