Growth, yield and alkaloid content in ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) as influenced by organic amendments and phytostimulants
Abstract
A study was conducted at Kerala Agricultural University to examine the effect of organic amendments and phytostimulantson maximizing the yield and quality of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal). The experiment employed arandomized block design (factorial) with 16 treatment combinations of farmyard manure, vermicompost, and foliarphytostimulants (seaweed fertilizer, humic and fulvic acids, and chitosan) using the JawaharAshwagandha 20 (JA-20)variety. The results showed that vermicompost at 5 t/ha significantly improved plant height, number of branches per plant,fresh biomass, and dry biomass. Seaweed fertilizer enhanced growth metrics, and its combination with vermicompost at 5t/ha improved root characteristics, achieving a fresh root yield of 614 kg/ha. Farmyard manure at 10 t/ha with seaweedfertilizer produced comparable results, with a fresh yield of 590 kg/ha and higher total alkaloid content of 2.43%. Thiscombination also yielded the highest benefit-cost ratio of 2.25. The study suggests that integrating organic amendmentsand seaweed fertilizer can enhance ashwagandha’s root growth and alkaloid content, making farmyard manure at 10 t/hawith seaweed fertilizer a promising approach for ashwagandha cultivation.
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