Influence of fertigation treatments on growth and yield of curry leaf (Murraya koenigii Spreng.) during off season

Curry leaf (Murraya koenigii Spreng.) plays an important role as a condiment in the culinary preparation of South Indian dishes and its demand is ever growing throughout the year especially during winter season when its availability is low and the price is high. Hence, a field experiment was conducted to study the influence of fertigation on growth, yield and quality parameters of curry leaf during off season. The study was laid out in randomised block design with different doses of straight and water soluble fertilizers given through soil and drip, respectively. In addition, biofertilizers viz., Azopirillum and Phosphobacteria and foliar spray of 3% Panchagavya were given. Among the treatments, T₈-Panchagavya 3%+50% RDF (water soluble fertilizers) produced tallest plants (68.12 cm), while the treatment T₇-Panchagavya 3%+75% RDF (straight fertilizers) produced the maximum number of secondary branches (27.86) and leaves (19.66). The treatment T₆ (Application of Azospirillum (2.5 kg/ha)+Phosphobacteria (2.5 kg/ha)+Panchagavya 3%+75% RDF (water soluble fertilizers) recorded the maximum fresh leaf weight with petiole per rachis (2.12 g), fresh leaf weight without petiole per rachis (1.78 g), fresh leaf yield per plant (665 g), highest net income of Rs. 1,80,062/ha and benefit: cost ratio of 1: 3.09.