Effect of varying fertility levels on growth, yield attributes, production and economics of blond psyllium (Plantago ovate) varieties

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2013–15 at Kanpur to assess the effect of different nitrogen levels on 3 varieties of isabgol (Plantago ovate Forsk) production and economics. Three levels of nitrogen were N_2o, N_4o, N₆₀ and three varieties of isabgol viz., GI-1, Niharika and Mayuri comprises nine treatment combinations. The results revealed that maximum plant height was observed in variety Niharika, followed by GI-1 and minimum in improved variety Mayuri. However, trend of all other growth characters viz., plant spread, number of tillers per plant, day taken to maturity and yield attributes viz., number of spikes per plant, length of spike, seed per spike, test weight along with seed and husk yield were observed significantly highest with the combined effect of N₆₀ ha⁻¹ with variety Mayuri, followed by N₄₀ ha⁻¹ + Niharika, while lowest was in GI-1. The highest uptake of nutrients such as nitrogen (76.20 kg ha⁻¹), phosphorus (7.9 kg ha⁻¹) and potassium (66.80 kg ha⁻¹) at harvest were recorded by isabgol variety Mayuri with N₆₀ ha⁻¹ which was followed by Niharika with N₄₀ ha⁻¹ (74.80, 7.8 and 64.50 kg ha⁻¹, respectively). Economic analysis revealed that the highest net returns were recorded with N₆₀ ha⁻¹ and Mayuri (₹ 35852 ha⁻¹), followed by N₄₀ ha⁻¹ and Mayuri (₹ 29506.68). Also the highest benefit: cost ratio was recorded with N₆₀ ha⁻¹ and Mayuri (2.24). Thus, it may be concluded that isabgol variety Mayuri with application of N₆₀ ha⁻¹ gave significantly higher growth, yield attributes, seed yield and nutrient uptake and this treatment combination also proved more remunerative.