Evaluation of organic manures and fertilizers for enhancing yield and biomass of Chandrashoor in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons to evaluate the impact of various organic and inorganic fertilizer combinations on growth, yield components, and biomass production in Lepidium sativum at Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Farm. Nine nutrient management treatments were applied: FYM (farmyard manure) at 2 t/ha (T1) and 4 t/ha (T2); vermicompost at 2 t/ha (T3) and 4 t/ha (T4); Jivamrutha (T5); FYM 4 t/ha + RDF (120:60:30 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O/ha) (T6); FYM 1 t/ha + vermicompost 1 t/ha (T7); RDF alone (T8); and control (no input, T9). Data for plant height, branch number, straw yield, seed yield, and total biomass were recorded. Statistical parameters, including critical difference (CD at 5%), standard errors, and coefficient of variation (CV), were calculated to assess treatment effects and experimental precision. Across both years, integrated nutrient management (T6) significantly outperformed all treatments in every parameter: plant height (72.43 → 71.12 cm), branch number (14.76 → 11.46), straw yield (14.74 → 12.86 q/ha), seed yield (15.93 → 15.75 q/ha), and total biomass (37.40 → 32.28 q/ha). Vermicompost at 4 t/ha (T4) and RDF alone (T8) were the next best performers. Organic-only treatments surpassed the control but lagged behind integrated and RDF-only treatments, while Jivamrutha alone and low-dose organics underperformed. Results demonstrate that combining FYM with RDF maximizes crop performance and underscores integrated nutrient management as a sustainable strategy for improving productivity and soil health in Lepidium sativum cultivation.