Effect of spacing and inorganic and organic nutrient application on performance of bhringaraj (Eclipta prostrata) in foothills of Arunachal Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted at Nirjuli, Arunachal Pradesh during kharif seasons of 2005–06 and 2006–07 in an acidic soil low in available N, P and K status under split plot design with three replications to study the effect of spacing and nutrients on the performance of medicinal herb bhringaraj (Eclipta prostrata L.). Three spacings (20 cm x 20 cm, 25 cm x 25 cm and 30 cm x 30 cm) in main plots and six doses of nutrients viz. N₀P₀K₀ N₃₀P₂₀K₁₀ N₆₀P₄₀K₂₀, N₉₀P₆₀K₃₀, 10 t FYM/ha and N₆₀P₄₀K₂₀ + 5 t FYM/ha were assigned to sub plots. The results indicated that 25 cm x 25 cm and 30 cm x 30 cm recorded significantly higher fresh, dry herb, and total alkaloid yield, N, P and K uptake by the crop. All the spacing treatments remained at par for alkaloid content (0.27–0.28%), N, P, K and organic carbon content of plant, and residual soil P, K and organic carbon contents. 30 x 30 cm recorded maximum net income (Rs 19,621/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.21). The treatment of 5 t FYM/ha + N₆₀P₄₀K₂₀ was found optimum and was at par with 10 t/ha FYM for dry herb yield, total alkaloid yield, plant N, P, K and organic carbon contents, N uptake and residual soil N, P, K and soil organic carbon content. Alkaloid content was not affected by the nutrient treatments. Highest net income (Rs 23,511/ha) and benefit cost ratio (2.46) was associated with the integrated treatment.