Effect of Soppina Betta's on root yield and active principles of Khusgrass (Vetiveria zizanioides) Ramana P. Department of Forest Utilization, College of Forestry, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Sirsi - 581 401, Karnataka, India. Corresponding author: E-mail: ramana_cofs@rediffmail.com
Abstract A field experiment was conducted during 2005–07 in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka to study the effect of Soppina betta's on the root yield and active principles. Among the locations, highest root yield was observed in degraded bettaland at Sugavi area (2.52 tonnes/ha). Lowest yield was recorded in normal bettaland of Kukanamane (1.13 tonnes/ha). The oil content (%) was highest in vetivar grown in normal bettaland when compare to degraded bettaland. It generally varied from 1.13 to 2.64 per cent. Among the normal bettalands, both Kukanamane and Terakanahalli area recorded highest oil content (2.64%). Among the degraded bettalands, highest oil content (1.52%) was recorded in degradead bettaland at Terakanahalli. The economically important active principles of vetivar grass viz. a- and b- vetivone, b-eudesmol and khusimol, are found to vary from location to location. Highest amount of citronellal and a- and b- vetivone were found in vetivar grass grown in normal bettaland at Sugavi area with 5.53 and 4.82 per cent, respectively and lowest amounts were found in degraded bettalands located at Terakanahalli and Kukanamane with 2.19 and 2.85 per cent, respectively. Highest amount of b-eudesmol was found in vetivar grass grown in normal bettaland at Sugavi area (8.06%) and lowest amount was found in degraded bettaland located at Kukanamane (6.44%). Similarly, highest amount of khusimol was found in grass grown in normal bettaland at Kukanamane area (26.94%) and lowest amount was found in degraded bettaland located at Sugavi area (14.92%). Top Keywords Khusgrass, soppina betta's, Uttara kannada, intercropping, shade effect, root yield, active principles. Top |