Effect of different organic sources of nutrients on growth and root yield of Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal]

Abstract

The present investigation entitled effect of different organic sources of nutrients on the growth and root yield Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal] was carried out during Kharif 2021-22 at College Farm, College of Horticulture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Jagudan, Dist. Mehsana and Gujarat. Experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and twenty treatments. The results revealed that significantly maximum plant height (35.45 and 54.83 cm) and number of branches (5.53 and 7.17) were recorded with treatment T16: 80% RDN through Poultry manure + Azotobacter + KSM at 90 DAS and at harvest, respectively. Maximum fresh and dry weights of plant (46.08 and 16.94 g, respectively) at harvest were also noted with same treatment. The similar trends were also recorded in yield and yield contributing traits viz., maximum root length (23.79 cm), root diameter (1.34 cm), fresh root weight per plant (6.35 g), fresh root weight per plot (231.44 g), fresh root weight per hectare (1285.80 kg), dry root weight per plant (2.78 g), dry root weight per plot (100.61 g) and dry root weight per hectare (558.96 kg) with treatment T16.