1Department of Environmental Sciences, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Himachal Pradesh-173230, India
2Department of Biotechnology, Doaba College, Jalandhar, Punjab-144 008, India
3Department of Organic Agriculture, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh-176 062, India
*E mail: shwetakhosla14@gmail.com
Online published on 18 June, 2016.
Studies on the effect of organic manures, plantation time and spacing on physiological and biochemical pareameters of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal) cultivated during Kharif season of 2010-201 1under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh revealed that different physiological parameters viz., leaf area, days to fruit initiation, days to maturity, number of root branches, root yield and biochemical (quality) parameters viz., chlorophyll and total phenols were significantly higher in plants transplanted in panchang time with vermicompost application having wider spacing. While significantly lowest values were recorded in plants transplanted in non-panchang with Farm Yard Manure application having low spacing of 60cm X 30cm. Highest root yield (16.33 g/plant) was recorded in T9 while lowest root yield (4.66 g/plant) was recorded in T4. Similarly highest chlorophyll content at vegetative stage (6.30 ml/100g) and highest total phenols at flowering stage (42.80 μg/ml) were recorded in T9 while lowest chlorophyll content (2.90 ml/100g) and lowest total phenols (26.01 μg/ml) were recorded in T4. Significantly higher physiological and biochemical parameters were recorded in T9 and the lowest in T4.
Withania somnifera, biochemical parameter, panchang, physiological parameters, vermicompost
