Vol. 11, Issue 7 (2022)

Author(s):
Hemalatha KJ, Kattimani KN, Kurubar AR, Ramesh G, Umesh MR and Amaregouda

Abstract:
The field experiment was carried out at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka in medium black clayey soil during 2019-2020 to study the “Standardization of nitrogen level and harvesting stage to enhance the growth, yield and quality in Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) in the North-Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka”. Experiment was laid out in split plot design with treatment combinations. The main plot consists of four nitrogen levels (N) viz., N₀: 0 kg N ha, N₁: 20 kg N ha, N₂: 40 kg N ha and N₃: 60 kg N ha. Whereas, sub plot consists of four different stages of harvest (H) viz., H₁: 90 DAS, H₂: 110 DAS, H₃: 130 DAS and H₄: 150 DAS. The growth, yield and quality parameters were significantly influenced and varied by the combination effect of different nitrogen levels and harvesting stages. The highest plant height (80.17 cm) was recorded with the application of 60 kg N ha^-1 and harvested at 150 DAS. Whereas, the highest specific leaf area (304.3 cm² g^-1), LAI (3.39), RGR (0.59 g g^-1 day^-1), CGR (0.130 g cm^-2 day^-1) and NAR (5.28 g dm^-2 day^-1) was recorded with 60 kg N ha^-1 harvested at 110 DAS. The highest fresh root (13.01 q ha^-1), dry root yield (7.27 q ha^-1), seed yield (3.47 q ha^-1), root length (27.47 cm), root diameter (4.81 mm) and total alkaloid (1.86%) content was recorded with the application of 40 kg N ha^-1 and harvested at 150 DAS (N₂H₄). Whereas, highest starch (7.98%) content was reported in the crop supplied with 60 kg N ha^-1 and harvested at 90 DAS.