Total soluble solids, yield, nutrient uptake and energetics of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) as influenced by nitrogen levels and spacing under Eastern U.P. conditions

Field experiment was conducted during zaid 2018 at Eastern Block of Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh to find out response of nitrogen levels and spacing in Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana). The experiment consisted of three N levels (50, 75 and 100 kg N ha^-1) and three row spacing (30, 40 and 50 cm) with plant to plant spacing of 20 cm. Maximum plant height (51.24 cm), leaf area (4596.99 cm²) was observed with 100 kg N ha^-1 at 50 cm × 20 cm spacing and leaf area index (7.30), total soluble solids (TSS) (18.73 °Brix) and nitrogen uptake (93.75 kg ha^-1) was noticed with 100 kg N ha^-1 at 30 cm × 20 cm spacing, whereas the maximum leaf number (342.52), nitrogen content in leaf (4.40%) was recorded with 100 kg N ha^-1 at 40 cm × 20 cm spacing. Thus, results revealed that increased dose of nitrogen with narrow spacing gave maximum quality.