Organic nutrition of Chlorophytum borivilianum for higher yield, quality and soil properties

Present investigation was carried out with five doses of farmyard manure (FYM) as 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 t ha⁻¹ to assess the effect on yield, quality, nutrient content and uptake along with soil properties. The highest yield of C. borivilianum roots was obtained with 15t FYM ha⁻¹ and it was at par with 10 and 20 t FYM. The per cent yield increased with each level of FYM was 30.0, 61.5, 69.6 and 61.7 over control. The N, K, protein and sapogenine content in musli enhanced by application of FYM. The Fe, Zn and Mn contents increased up to 15 t FYM and Cu up to 10 t FYM and reduced thereafter. Uptake of macro-and micro-nutrients were also more with FYM. Organic carbon content, per cent porosity and water holding capacity of the soil increased and bulk density of the soil decreased with increasing the FYM levels. The ratio of N: P uptake remained constant with application of FYM. However, uptake ratio of P: K increased with FYM doses. The uptake ratio indicates that N requirement of the crop is approximately five times and K requirement is 1.2–1.8 times more to P. Uptake ration of micro-nutrients reflects that Fe, Zn and Mn requirement of the crop was approximately 110, 6 and 4 times more than Cu. Hence, crop-specific formulations of could be prepared precisely based on nutrient content and uptake rather indiscriminate use of manures and fertilizers.