Performance of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) cv. Poshita in response to sowing dates and organic manures Thanuja G.S.1,*, Teja K. Sai1, Krishna V.N.P.S.2 1Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, College of Horticulture, Ananthaajupeta, Andhra Pradesh, India 2Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, College of Horticulture, Pulivendula, Andhra Pradesh, India *Corresponding author email: th_09@rediffmail.com
Online Published on 14 February, 2024. Abstract Medicinal and aromatic industry is known as sunrise industry. A field experiment was conducted during 2021-2022 at College of Horticulture, Anantharajupeta, Dr.Y.S.R. Horticultural University, Andhra Pradesh with the twin objectives of finding out the best sowing time and suitable organic manure on yield and phytochemical attributes of roots of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) cv. Poshita . The field experiment was laid out in split plot design with four main plots and four sub- plots with three replications. The main plot treatments comprised of four dates of sowing viz., M1-First fortnight of September, M2-Second fortnight of September, M3-First fortnight of October, M4-Second fortnight of October. While, the sub-plots were designed with four treatments viz.,S1-100% RDN through farm yard manure, S2-100% RDN (Recommended Doses of Nitrogen) through vermicompost, S3-100% RDN through neemcake and S4-100% RDN through inorganic sources (RDF: 40:60:20 NPK Kg/ ha as recommended doses of fertilizers). The response amongst different dates of sowing, first fortnight of September recorded highest root and seed yield. In case of organic sources of nutrients, application of 100% RDN through vermicompost provided superior response on dry root yield (1514 kg /ha). While, out of different quality parameters, only total alkaloid content and fibre content in roots showed significant response due to sowing time and organic manures. Similar magnitude of response was observed on root and seed yield. The first fortnight of September recorded highest values of withanolide A (0.079 %), withanolide B (0.121) and withaferin A (0.120%) as phytochemical attributes. The study showed the best response with combination of sowing time as first fortnight of September and 100% RDN equivalent vermicompost. Top Keywords Ashwagandha, Sowing time, Vermicompost, Farmyard manure, Recommendned doses of nitrogen, Quality parameters, Root yield. Top |